Three CPIT students with disabilities who attend the weekend Mixed Ability Performance course have been funded by the CPIT Foundation to perform at a conference in the United States in June this year – a first for New Zealand students with such disabilities – see News section for further information.
Established as an independent charitable trust in 1984, the CPIT Foundation works in partnership with CPIT to help fund innovative projects that can “make a difference” to individual students and staff, to CPIT as a whole, and through them to the wider Canterbury community.
Funding is provided for grants through a six-monthly awards scheme for which students and staff apply online. Applications for grants are accepted every June and October, although special projects are occasionally considered in between.
Most awards are made after online applications are assessed by the Trustees and referees nominated by the applicant. Trustees on the Foundation are drawn from CPIT and the local business community.
The CPIT Foundation has a well established fund, which the Trustees have actively managed and grown over the years to provide a solid capital base.
In addition, the CPIT Foundation is seeking to form partnerships with local businesses to help deliver some of the projects in a more meaningful and practical way. The Foundation is always keen to talk to Canterbury businesses interested in working with CPIT departments and their students on projects of mutual benefit.