Investing in community coordinators

The return on investment analysis shows the impact of the Community Coordination and Facilitation grant.

The Community Coordination and Facilitation (CCF) grant was vital for conservation groups across Auckland as it funds critical leadership, coordination and specialist roles. By funding these positions, it helps community-led conservation efforts to mobilise more volunteers and achieve a greater environmental impact.

Note the CCF grant was merged with the Regional Environment and Natural Heritage (RENH) grant in 2025.

With significant untapped volunteer potential, it is increasingly clear that funding more coordinator hours leads to greater volunteer outputs. Coordinators play a crucial role in increasing the chances of volunteer groups forming and successfully starting work in an area.

Upper Waitematā Ecology Network

The analysis showed a strong return – every dollar invested drove significant volunteer contributions:

  • $1,012,215 invested
  • 36 community groups supported
  • 276,431 volunteer hours contributed
  • every hour of a coordinators time helped generate 12.4 hours of volunteer time
  • for every dollar spent there was a return of $6.10

Read the full case study (PDF, 1.5MB) to learn more.

The graphic is titled CCF impact 2024 and shows the summarised results and quote alongside images of people and nature.
People working together to haul an old mattress and bed base, wood and other rubbish from an urban stream.
Volunteers clear an urban stream of rubbish.
Photo credit: Ōtara Waterways and Lake Trust