This year's Acorn Foundation funding round has opened with preliminary applications now being accepted.

Acorn Foundation Operations Manager Margot McCool says charities and community organisations have until May 29 to complete their applications.

'For the first time this year we have set up an online application process and we are hoping this will make it easier for our region's charities and organisations who seek funding.”

In line with the Acorn Foundation's Vital Signs® research, charities and organisations seeking funding can look to Acorn's 2017 funding priorities to seek guidance.

Four categories have been selected as areas for priority funding this year:

- Belonging and Engagement – activities that build strong communities, increase involvement of marginalised and minority groups and reduce intolerance.

- Getting Started – initiatives that support children and youth to develop skills to cope with challenges, and initiatives associated with good parenting.

- Safety – initiatives that reduce drug and alcohol abuse and domestic violence

- Reducing Inequity – initiatives that improve basic household financial skills, support the transition from unemployment to the workforce and programmes that address social inequalities.

Margot says the core funding priorities align with the Vital Signs research programme.

'The beauty of this research programme is that we know the community's greatest needs and can ensure our support is well matched to that.”

Another way that Acorn Foundation identifies the charities and community organisations that need the greatest support is with a hands-on approach.

Greerton Village School Principal Anne Mackintosh says they are extremely impressed with the integrity of the process.

'What really impressed me about Acorn Foundation is that they came to meet with us and really understand our school and our needs that the funding would meet. Without the support that we have received from Acorn Foundation and consequently Kidscan, our kids would be cold, wet and hungry and we are so grateful for their support.”

Darryl Wesley from Salvation Army says Acorn Foundation has provided them with vital funding for assistance with training costs for their Bridge and Oasis programmes for people battling addictions.

'For an organisation like us the funding for training is quite an on-going challenge. It's enabled us to have a much wider access to the trainings offered throughout New Zealand than we would have had before.”

For the Growing Through Grief programme, Area Coordinator Amy Colonna says Acorn funding has transformed the lives of children who are struggling to cope with grief and loss.

'The funding has been vital for us to be able to offer up to 6 programmes in the community at no cost to the families.

"It means that 48 children every term can have access to this educational programme. Without this funding we wouldn't be able to help.”

Margot says Acorn's funding can have a significant impact on many of the community organisations it supports.

'Last year we had a 24 per cent increase in funds available. It has always been our vision that if we could provide consistent annual funding to many of these organisations they will be able to focus more on their day to day core provision of services to the community rather than fund raising. It is extremely rewarding to be able to advise organisations across the community that we can do this.”

The Acorn Foundation has one funding round annually.

Preliminary applications are now open and will close at 3pm on May 29.

Successful charities and organisations will be advised in August. For further information on the 2017 funding priorities and to apply for funding visit www.acornfoundation.org.nz.