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The Youth Grants Trust (formally Johnsonville Youth Grants Trust) was established in 1987. It has supported young people living in the Northern Suburbs area through monetary grants across a range of disciplines including:
The trust places emphasis on community involvement and ‘paying it forward’.
When the Trust was established an initial grant was made from a local Trust, established when the Founder of the Independent Herald sold the newspaper to a National chain. Ongoing sponsorship has been provided from Autostop Group Ltd. and its sister company Property Logic Ltd. Since 2016 new sponsors have joined and we are now looking to build our grants through a wider network of local business interests.
The Trust has awarded more than $750,000 to approximately 450 local youth over the period of its establishment.
If you are able to contribute or offer services to the Trust please Contact Us.
The Grants are currently open to students at Onslow College, Newlands College or Tawa College.
Grants are currently only open to current students at these Colleges, although we are currently reviewing this and looking to extend grants beyond these schools.
Each school runs its own application system however they have a common approach with an emphasis on those who are involved their community, where financial assistance would be particularly helpful and where outcomes are likely to help others.
All matters are considered when you apply for a grant.
Each school makes its own assessment of the applications and puts forward their recommendations to the Youth Grants Trust Trustees who then review and make the final decision.
The grant amount per person can vary between $500 and $2000 with larger grants made under exceptional circumstances.
So long as you are a student at one of our qualifying school you may apply although previous grants you have received will be taken into consideration.
This is dependent on our donors and varies from year to year, however we have been consistently donating over $36,000 between the schools annually.
The Youth Grants Trust was established with the intention of encouraging and supporting leadership, belonging, and community involvement and responsibility across youth in our local community.
The funding comes from our sponsors, local businesses and employers who are within our community.
Selection usually takes place within each of the Colleges between August – October of each year.
Yes. If your circumstances change and you are not able to use the grant as it intended for then you need to contact the Trustees and either return the grant or request that it be used for a different purpose.
Since the Trust started in 1987 there have been over 450 grants made with a total value of over $750,000.
Yes. The Trust seeks to build the level of donations so we can continue to expand funding to support youth in the area.
Chair
Chris has lived and worked in the Johnsonville-Porirua area since 1955. He currently lives in Porirua and is married to Helen and they have three grown children, Niki, Shelley and Mark. Chris has always had an interest in our community and has been involved as a Trustee on the Whitireia Foundation and Life Education Trust North Wellington. He is currently a Councillor on the Greater Wellington Regional Council.
Helen has lived in the Johnsonville and Porirua areas since 1970 with husband Chris. As a trained nurse, Helen’s interests have centred on the family and raising their three children. Helen has been active within the community, and her involvement from the start has been instrumental in ensuring the longevity and ongoing financial commitment to recipients of the Youth Grants Trust.
Jess has been a trustee since 2011 and enjoys supporting motivated youth and participating within the community. She works in Human Resources, and lives locally with her husband, Mark, and their three young children. Jess enjoys travel, exercise and spending time with friends and family.
Victoria lives locally with her partner and two young daughters. She studied at Otago University and has a Bachelor of Social and Community work, and a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Anthropology. Victoria has worked in a range of roles, all with a focus in supporting young people and their families, and is passionate about young people reaching their goals. She likes to spend her weekends with family exploring the outdoors.