Blue Door grants up for grabs

Time is ticking for community groups to apply for a 2024 Blue Door Community Grant.

The 2024 Blue Door Community Grant application deadline closes on Saturday 1 June.

And charity shop staff are encouraging community organsiations in Marlborough to apply.

With $48,000 available to locally based non-for-profit groups available to apply for part of the pot, the Blue Door’s board members are looking for little ways they can help make Marlborough better.

“We’re only limited by ensuring the money we put into the grants from the community goes back into the community in some way”, says manager Bronwen Demmocks.

“There’s a huge variety of causes we’ve supported, it’s an easy three-page application from our website or hard copies from the shop for those that aren’t good with computers, and we’re also happy to help partially cover improvements too.”

One interesting project the Blue Door contributed towards last year was the installation of solar panels on the Marlborough Riding for the Disabled arena in Taylor Pass.

Manager Joanne Ross says the funds boost has helped keep the 50+ year old club alive.

“Since installation last year we’ve saved $2,063 on electricity alone compared to last year’s bill, which is huge for us to have a larger budget for the care and training of our horses, and training our staff.”

While the Blue Door grant didn’t cover the whole installation, Joanne says that the fact they saw the need and the vision of the RDA helped hugely.

“The solar project is thanks to a big group of supporters, including the Blue Door contributing with their grant which went towards buying panels, Goodyer Solar’s donation in material, installation time and ongoing support, and many other supporters of what we do here.

“It also helps the Blue Door team are super lovely to work with in finding where they can help, and it’s an easy application for groups to apply to”.

Hand in your applications before 2pm 1June to the Blue Door on Seymour Street to apply.