10 February 2012 - Applications open for charity ball money
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Money raised by the inaugural Mayoress’ Charity Gala Ball will soon be available to groups working with young Aucklanders as applications for grants are now open.
The ball, hosted by Mayor Len Brownand Mayoress Shan Inglis last November, raised $170,000 towards the Mayoress’ Fund for Youth, an independent charitable fund administered within the Auckland Communities Foundation.
The fund will support initiatives that directly benefit the health, well-being, educational opportunities and employment of young people living inAuckland.
“I believe in an Aucklandwhere every child has the best possible start in life and a future full of opportunities,” says Shan Inglis. “I am delighted by the success of the inaugural ball and the Mayoress’ Fund for Youth is now in a position to take applications for its first grants.”
Auckland Communities Foundation Chief Executive Mark Bentley says applications will be assessed by the Foundation’s independent Research and Grants Committee.
“Our advisors are experts in their fields and take an evidence-based approach to grant-making; ensuring that grants support initiatives with proven outcomes that address the real needs of young people in Auckland.”
Len Brown says he and the Mayoress were thrilled with the generosity of their guests and sponsors at the inaugural event. “The money raised from this event will support important initiatives working toward raising confident, healthy and resilient young Aucklanders with good education and career opportunities.”
The Mayoress hopes the Westpac Mayoress’ Charity Gala Ball will become a key fixture in Auckland’s annual events calendar. The 2012 event will be held on Saturday 22 September.
Shan Inglis has designed the fund to be a legacy for Auckland. In addition to the annual grants, she hopes to build a permanent endowment forAuckland’s young people over time,. A percentage of funds raised each year will be held within the fund to ensure long-term support for young Aucklanders. It is envisaged that the patronage of the fund will pass on to future mayoral partners ofAuckland.
Details on how to make applications and the criteria for grants is available on the Auckland Communities Foundation website www.aucklandcf.org.nz/mayoressfund. The Foundation will be looking to identify sustainable projects based on evidence, best practice and local knowledge.
Fund opens for applications: Now
Applications close: 31 March 2012
Grants announced: 25 May 2012
1 October 2011 - Mayoress' Fund for Youth kicks of with Charity Gala Ball
Auckland’s Mayoress Shan Inglis is building a permanent endowment for young Aucklanders and supporting initiatives that build brighter futures through the recently announced Mayoress’ Fund for Youth within Auckland Communities Foundation.
The inaugural Mayoress’ Charity Gala Ball, hosted by Inglis and her husband Mayor Len Brown on Saturday November 19th will be the Fund’s first major fundraising event.
The Mayoress’ Fund for Youth will raise money every year to support initiatives that directly benefit the health, wellbeing, educational and employment opportunities of young people living in Auckland.
Grants will be made annually and a percentage of funds raised
will be held back each year to build an endowment that will ensure long-term support for young Aucklanders. Inglis intends the Mayoress’ Fund for Youth to be a legacy for Auckland.
“I believe in an Auckland where every child has the best possible start in life and a future full of opportunities.”
Auckland Communities Foundation is delighted to be able to facilitate the Mayoress’ philanthropic goals. Chief Executive Mark Bentley says, “We are really pleased that the Foundation’s experience and infrastructure is able to help Shan and Len realise their desire to do something powerful for Auckland’s youth in a highly effective way.”
The Mayoress’ Charity Gala Ball will be a spectacular night of entertainment at the new waterfront Viaduct Events Centre.
“There are some wonderful individuals and organisation working hard to improve life for our young people, and they need our support. By supporting the Mayoress’ Ball, you can help us to help them.”
Mayor Len Brown says the Fund supports his vision of Auckland becoming the world’s most liveable city.
“Our vision is cohesive, resilient communities that raise confident, healthy young people with education and career opportunities open to them. We need to work together to make this happen.”
Tables are strictly limited, please visit www.mayoressball.co.nz or phone Madeline Erkkila on 09 309 2411 to book your table. Individual seats are also available.
28 September 2011 - MacroAuckland Initiatives: Bridging the Gap
In March 2011 Auckland Communities Foundation released MacroAuckland: Informing and Inspiring Generosity, which placed a lens on the city’s social issues and laid out a framework for tackling these issues through well-informed philanthropic giving.
Part of this framework includes developing the MacroAuckland Initiatives –leading examples of projects that are addressing the city’s core areas of need. The MacroAuckland Initiatives have been identified to help generous Aucklanders to find trusted, deliverable and sustainable ways of giving.
Funding has now been secured from SKYCITY Auckland Community Trust for three of the MacroAuckland Initiatives. As part of our focus on Auckland’s housing need, Monte Cecilia’s Western Park Village Housing Hub project was identified for the community development brokerage and housing pathway support it gives to residents of a caravan park in Ranui (West Auckland).
Funding has been secured to provide a hub co-ordinator so that the programmes, which were so successful in 2010, can continue for a further 12 months.
MacroAuckland put a spotlight on some of the issues that Auckland’s youth are facing now and in the near future, and two of ACF’s funded MacroAuckland Initiatives tackle youth issues.
Manurewa Marae’s Taiohi Whai Oranga is a highly collaborative project that seeks to tackle major youth health and development problems in the Manurewa community, such as mental health, school achievement rates and teenage pregnancies.
SKYCITY Auckland Community Trust has provided $25,000 funding for a youth leadership programme that will provide the youth governance for this project. Part of this grant will be used to establish a youth-controlled fund in an innovative step to introduce young people to philanthropy.
A further $30,000 has been awarded to the Harvest Group’s Dream Centre Youth Extreme (DYCE) team to continue their highly effective youth mentoring scheme in South Auckland high schools, support youth wellbeing and transitions.
The MacroAuckland Initiatives are examples of demonstrable need turned into action, and ACF will continue our support of these projects as a philanthropic call to action for Auckland priority issue areas of housing, youth transitions, migrant settlement, youth health, environment and early childhood education.
26 September 2011 - Anonymous fund supports Waiheke wellbeing
The Waiheke Health Trust is taking care of islanders thanks in
part to a donation from Auckland Community Foundation’s Generosity With Anonymity Fund.
The donation included $7,000 to upgrade the home support computer system as well as funds for the Heart Guide Aotearoa pilot to help heart patients and $1,000 dollar for dollar matching against donations made by Waiheke Health Trust’s board members.
The Trust’s manager, Dawn Rigby, says that by supporting the computer system upgrade the donation makes a real difference
to frontline services.
The anonymous benefactor behind the Generosity With
Anonymity Fund is a Waiheke resident who is looking to support a number of ventures over the next few years, with a particular focus on health and sustainability.
The donor was looking for a way to give in their local area without being identified and the community foundation model proved to be a straightforward way of doing that.
Auckland Communities Foundation Chief Executive Mark Bentley says the Foundation is delighted to be able to facilitate the charitable giving of people who choose to do so discreetly.
“Acting as a conduit between generous individuals or organisations and the causes they choose to support, we are able to help donors achieve their philanthropic goals in a way that works for them. As with the Generosity With Anonymity Fund, some of our donors wish to support causes anonymously, while others choose to do so in the name of their family or organisation.”
21 September 2011 - Auckland Communities Foundation recognises business contribution to the community
Cardinal Logistics have been awarded the Auckland Communities Foundation Business Contribution to the Community Award at the 2011 Westpac South Auckland Business Awards, recognising the ways they give life to their values, which focus on sharing success with their own staff and with the wider community.
Auckland Communities Foundation Chief Executive Mark Bentley says Cardinal Logistics were chosen as the winner because, “they had developed a comprehensive ‘head and heart’ social responsibility policy that truly embraced staff, suppliers, customers and charity. The results in terms of staff engagement and alignment were clear to see.”
Over the course of its 19-year journey from a company with 50 employees to an organisation of more than 150 people with offices in the South Island and Palmerston North in addition to its Mangere headquarters, Cardinal Logistics has returned more than $400,000 to the community and the causes it supports. While the company contribute to a number of organisations and appeals, its long-term support of the Child Cancer Foundation is particularly significant.
Cardinal Logistics also invests in the long-term wellbeing of its own staff and their families, recognising the ripple effect of supporting employees’ learning and development, which “creates a positive outcome for the company, our people and the community in general”. With 70% of staff speaking English as a second language, the company established a two-year literacy programme in 2009. In March 2011 the company celebrated the success of 40 staff who had taken part in the programme and also achieved Level 2 and 3 qualifications in distribution.
As sponsors and judges for the Business Contribution to the Community Award, Auckland Communities Foundation is a champion of corporate citizenry that fosters opportunity and wellbeing in local communities. Mark Bentley says, “We are working with a number of Auckland organisations to help them realise the philanthropic elements of their corporate social responsibility strategies and it is inspiring to see companies like Cardinal Logistics, which have considered supporting the people and communities around them as an intrinsic aspect of their growth and success over the years.”
19 September 2011 - Auckland Communities Foundation welcomes new trustee
Auckland Communities Foundation is delighted to welcome Geoff Clews to the Board of Trustees. Geoff is a leading tax lawyer with a long history of community involvement and support of the arts.
Bringing fundraising, governance, philanthropy and professional expertise to the role, as well as his local knowledge of Auckland’s North Shore, Geoff’s knowledge and experience will greatly benefit the Foundation as it builds an endowment for Auckland of $100 million by 2040.
Geoff chaired the trust that established the Bruce Mason theatre in Takapuna, and was Chair of the theatre’s board for 12 years after its opening. He is a member of the Q Theatre Limited Board, has chaired Arts Advocates Auckland and sponsors the Northern Regional Performing Theatre Awards drama award.
Geoff is a member of the advisory group for the Takapuna Grammar Centre for Business and Enterprise, and also a trustee of the Sir George Elliot Charitable Trust, which supports community projects and provides tertiary scholarships.
Within his tax law practice, Geoff also represents clients in trust disputes and undertakes pro bono work for community organisations.
14 August 2011 - Charity ball to create legacy for Auckland’s youth
The Mayor and Mayoress are hosting a charity ball to raise funds to provide brighter futures for young Aucklanders.
The Mayoress’ Charity Gala Ball, on Saturday 19 November, will be a spectacular night of entertainment hosted by Len Brown and his wife, Mayoress Shan Inglis.
All net proceeds from this event will go towards the Mayoress’ Fund for Youth, an independent charitable fund administered within the Auckland Communities Foundation.
The newly established fund will raise money every year to support initiatives that directly benefit the health, well-being, educational opportunities and employment of young people living in Auckland.
The Mayoress intends to build a permanent endowment forAuckland’s young people over time, in addition to annual grants. A percentage of funds raised each year will be held within the fund to ensure long-term support for young Aucklanders. Shan Inglis has designed the fund to be a legacy forAuckland.
She hopes the Mayoress’ Charity Gala Ball will become a key fixture inAuckland’s annual events calendar.
”I believe in anAucklandwhere every child has the best possible start in life and a future full of opportunities,” says the Mayoress. “We had significant success bringing together people who could make a difference in Manukau and now I am delighted to extend this acrossAucklandfor the benefit of all our young people.
“There are some wonderful individuals and organisations working hard to improve life for our young people, and they need our support. By supporting the Mayoress’ Ball, you can help us to help them,” she says.
The fund will be launched with a gala event at one ofAuckland’s newest waterfront venues, the Viaduct Events Centre. The evening will be filled with world-class performances, dancing and fine dining and will take place against the breathtaking backdrop of the harbour and illuminated city. The event is a black tie masquerade ball.
Len Brown says, “I want Auckland to become the world’s most liveable city, and the foundation for this is cohesive, resilient communities that raise confident, healthy young people with education and career opportunities open to them. We need to work together to make this happen, and the money raised from this event will support important initiatives.”
Auckland Communities Foundation Chief Executive Mark Bentley says, ”We are really pleased that the Foundation’s experience and infrastructure is able to help Shan and Len realise their desire to do something powerful forAuckland’s youth in a highly effective way.”
The event is being professionally organised and underwritten by Duco Events, with no cost to Auckland Council or ratepayers.
“It is exciting to be part of creating this landmark annual event for Auckland,” says Duco Events Director David Higgins. “We intend to set a new standard for elegance, theatrics and entertainment.”
“The Mayoress’ Charity Gala Ball is set up to rival similar international events such as the Viennese Opera Ball inNew York, going since 1955 and still an international social landmark; the Black and White Ball inSan Francisco, staged every two years since 1956 and the Rose Ball inMonaco, initiated by Princess Grace and held annually since 1964.”
Tables are strictly limited, please visit www.mayoressball.co.nz or phone Madeline Erkkila on 09 309 2411 to book your table. Individual seats are also available.
22 March 2011 - Landmark project a call to action for generous Aucklanders
Auckland Communities Foundation today released MacroAuckland , a landmark project which provides startling new insights into the city’s social issues, and sets out a framework for the mobilisation of philanthropic funding.
The report raises the profile of issues which need priority support, and highlights a number of paradoxes – such as Aucklanders feeling less safe despite the city’s overall crime rate decreasing.
ACF chief executive Mark Bentley says MacroAuckland is the first practical tool to help generous Aucklanders zero in on philanthropy targets and make a difference to their city.
“It is an evidence-based call to action. It says to Aucklanders ‘this is your city, what things do you want to go out and change for the better?’.”
“Auckland is a great city, but it is not great for everyone and it is not great all the time. As well as helping donors find out more about issues that interest them personally, this research has enabled the Foundation to identify our six priority areas for philanthropic attention. These are housing, youth transitions, migrant settlement, youth health, environment and early childhood education.”
ACF analyst Deb Schwarz and Professor Charles Crothers of Auckland University of Technology drew together data and research from more than 200 diverse sources, along with input from over 100 experts.
Mark Bentley says lead MacroAuckland projects are already being initiated, including a Marae-based youth health hub, early childhood education support for young parents and wrap around support for Aucklanders in transition housing.
“The Foundation is focused on developing collaborative action-based solutions with trusted providers which are deliverable and sustainable. They now need funding.”
Mayor Len Brown welcomed the report and drive to encourage philanthropy:
“I warmly welcome this important initiative to promote individual and organisational generosity in our city. Aucklanders are generous by nature but we need good information and support to help us give confidently and wisely. Auckland Communities Foundation’s vision of creating one of the world’s most generous cities is one that fits very well with my dream of the world’s most liveable one.”
Fittingly, the whole project has been funded through generosity with Westpac, SKYCITY Auckland Community Trust and Vodafone Foundation contributing financially and advertising agency Ballantyne Taylor designing the Summary Report free of charge.
Some findings from “a city of paradoxes”:
- Auckland’s overall crime rate is decreasing, yet Aucklanders feel less safe
- Boarding houses for ‘rough sleepers’ have available beds, yet homeless Aucklanders are sleeping on the street
- Increasing numbers of Aucklanders are attending cultural events of other ethnic groups, yet only half of Aucklanders consider the city’s increasing diversity a good thing
- Young people are more likely to take risks around water, yet almost half of those who drown in Auckland are over 45
- Children’s health outcomes differ dramatically across Auckland, yet perceptions of health by parents across all three of the city’s DHBs are virtually the same
- Pacific Island students remain in school for longer than average, yet their tertiary enrolment rates are still low
- The majority of Aucklanders say they take action to save energy all or most of the time, yet the city’s energy consumption is increasing rapidly
- There are stereotypes about unemployed Aucklanders choosing to be beneficiaries, yet when a new supermarket opened in South Auckland in 2010 more than 2,500 people lined up for the 150 jobs.
To download the summary report click here. To access the full report, resources and references click here.
22 March 2011 - Hynds Family donates to education through new fund at ACF
John and Leonie Hynds today announced the establishment of the Hynds Education Fund in the Auckland Communities Foundation (ACF) as a major new fund to support charitable and entrepreneurial educational initiatives in South Auckland.
The Hynds Family has been a passionate supporter of sport and the arts for many years. They have chosen to establish their fund within the ACF to take advantage of independent, evidence-based advice on granting options and professional funds management from the ACF.
John Hynds, founder of the successful construction supplies company Hynds Group, said: “We are very keen to give a head start to the young people of Manurewa, and Manurewa High School in particular.”
John was born and raised in Manurewa, and both he and Leonie were educated at Manurewa High School.
“We have a huge affection for this part of our city, and are very keen to help its young people prosper. We plan to start with some scholarships, because we believe that supporting young Aucklanders into further study, training and employment is an important priority.
“Scholarship opportunities can provide goals that support and encourage successful transitions and outcomes. We are also asking ACF to identify effective early childcare initiatives for potential funding in the future.”
John and Leonie believe the ACF model has been a big help, as it provides access to the admin and research resources of a major philanthropic trust without having to start their own.
ACF Chief Executive Mark Bentley welcomed the establishment of the Fund:
“We are delighted that John and Leonie have decided to start a fund with us and help us to make a more liveable and vibrant Auckland. We hope their generosity and leadership will encourage other individuals and organisations to take the plunge and use ACF as a vehicle to help improve our city.”
Information about the Hynds Group
The privately-owned Hynds Group of companies was founded in 1973 and remains New Zealand’s premier supplier for the management of water and water-based waste, in both the civil and rural infrastructure industries. The group comprises seven operating divisions involved in concrete, metal and plastics manufacturing, product importation, and distribution. Hynds is a licensed and accredited manufacturer of concrete pipe and precast product with production plants throughout New Zealand. A nationwide network of 29 branches supplies and distributes products for drainage, watermain, environmental and rural applications. With more than 600 employees in both New Zealand and Australia, Hynds is committed to workplace safety, and quality management and operating systems.
Hynds’ philosophy for business is to supply New Zealand’s infrastructure market through innovation, partnership, and outstanding customer service. These factors have contributed to Hynds’ long term success, and continued growth of the business.
Over the years the Hynds Group has been a generous supporter of motorsport, rugby clubs and other sporting organisations throughout New Zealand, including substantial sponsorship of the Hampton Downs Raceway.
30 October 2010 - Waitakere Fund partners with Viva Waitakere to keep the Westie spirit alive
One place. One afternoon. One Waitakere.
There is no place like Waitakere. With the supercity kicking in on 1 November, a group of grassroots locals decided that a festival was in order to celebrate the unique identity of Waitakere on the last day of the city and leave people in no doubt that this is our place.
Viva Waitakere is an opportunity to participate in the legacy of Waitakere, affirming that although Waitakere City will no longer exist in name, the spirit of the West will live on.
On October 31st from 4pm, Henderson Park will be where it all happens. It will be populated with a diverse range of activities and entertainment that capture what Waitakere is all about. Bring your friends, family, food and fun.
The Auckland Communities Foundation's Waitakere Fund is the Charity Partner for the event and the proceeds from sales of products from great Westie companies like Charlie's and Tasti will be complemented by cash collections on the day. The Waitakere Fund Development Team have set a target of $5m in 5 years for the Fund under the slogan "Raising an Outrageous Fortune for the West". To find out more about the Waitakere Fund or donate click here.
6 October 2010 - CINZ Announces Charity Partnership
Delegates attending CINZ accredited conferences in New Zealand will soon have the option to support a registered charity.
"CINZ is proud to announce that it is now aligned with the Auckland Communities Foundation which facilitates charity donations throughout the country," says Alan Trotter, Conventions & Incentives New Zealand (CINZ) CEO.
"Conference organisers will simply choose a charity to align their conference with and then delegates can simply tick a donation box on their registration form. Any charity can be chosen by the conference organiser as long as it's a registered one."
Mr Trotter says that donating to local charities is common practice at conferences around the world and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) involvement is viewed favourably and a great negotiating tool to help secure international conferences for New Zealand shores.
The fund is being kick‐started with a $5,000 donation from a CINZ member, and the coffers will be further boosted by a fundraising golf day to be held at Wairakei Golf Course in Taupo during the annual CINZ conference and a charity auction. "A donation will then be made to CAFE for Youth Health in Taupo to help youth at risk," Mr Trotter says. "It's great to be able to help support the Taupo community."
Mr Trotter added that no direct members funds will be involved in the donations to charity. "The money will come solely from voluntary donations made by delegates at conferences and any fundraising activities held by CINZ."
16 September 2010 - Westies get going on the Waitakere Fund
On 16 September a diverse and enthusuastic group of passionate Westies came together at the MacroWest Roadshow with the stated aim of creating a shared strategy for building the Waitakere Fund as a major sustainable resource to support community vitality in the West.
In a day filled with creativity, humour and real engagement, the group developed some strong segmented approaches for building the Fund and many volunteered to be members of the Waitakere Fund Development Team.
Watch this space as the creative ideas developed on the day become the tangible fundraising actions for the Waitakere Fund.
Many thanks to Waitakere City Council for their sponsorship, Waitakere Enterprise for free use of their excellent facilities and Community Waitakere for their organisational expertise.
If you would like to know more about the Waitakere Fund including how to donate click here
25 August 2010 - Auckland’s community needs a solid Foundation
A highly successful international model for streamlined and effective charitable funding of local communities has arrived in Auckland, with today’s launch of the Auckland Communities Foundation (ACF).
ACF aims to build a $30 million ‘Infinity Fund’ over the next 10 years rising to $100m by 2040, and it began that journey with an announcement today of eight new charitable funds under its guidance.
ACF chief executive Mark Bentley says the launch is a significant milestone in the history of community philanthropy in Greater Auckland.
“ACF’s ultimate goal is a more livable and vibrant Auckland, and a permanent legacy for the generations to come. ACF is seeking generous individuals, families, and businesses which have $5,000 or more to start developing a charitable fund,” said Mark Bentley.
“Generosity became big news recently with Warren Buffett and Microsoft founder Bill Gates securing massive pledges from 40 of the US’s richest families, but the ACF model shows you do not have to be a millionaire to support your community.”
“Community foundations have a long-term strategic investment approach with the donor funds they administer. They seek a way to help people help themselves. It is clear that a city with social inequity results in social problems which affect us all.
“ACF is based on a lean, efficient business model which has been a tremendous success. Melbourne’s community foundation has been a huge success, and a great example for us to study.
“There is no doubt this model is a duplication buster. It makes sense for donors to make use of our expertise and dedicated team, rather than try to handle the administrative burden of a trust itself.”
ACF is undertaking an extensive research project MacroAuckland to shed unprecedented light on Auckland’s social and community issues. The five-month project is funded by SKYCITY Auckland Community Trust, Vodafone Foundation and Westpac.
The second stage of the project was a 130-person forum held in Auckland today, involving researchers, demographers, philanthropists, community organisations, business, local and central government representatives. They identified priority areas of challenge and opportunity.
“This is the first project of its type to peel back the multiple layers of data, and to involve so many diverse sources of information, both written and verbal, and to provide evidence of Auckland’s strengths and challenges,” said Mark Bentley.
“The report is due at the start of November, and will be ACF’s ultimate evidence-based guide to Auckland’s challenges and exciting new social change initiatives to fund.”
25th August 2010 - Opinion - Inspiring generosity can give our city a great Foundation
When someone as wise with money as legendary US investor Warren Buffett says more and smarter philanthropy is required to tackle inequality and social issues, New Zealand should listen.
Buffett and Microsoft founder Bill Gates announced last week (4 August) they have convinced 40 of the world’s richest families and individuals to pledge at least half of their fortunes to charity – a reported US$125 billion.
On the list of ‘Giving Pledge’ names are some familiar to New Zealanders, such as Star Wars director George Lucas, and computer magnate turned America’s Cup holder Larry Ellison.
If this can happen in the US, why can’t it happen here, where there are just as many reasons why the fortunate should help those in need?
Buffett says he is donating 85 per cent of his fortune because people raised in poor surroundings no longer have the chance to succeed like they once did.
If we look in our own backyard, it doesn’t take long to realise our “world-class city” is not great for everyone or great all of the time. When a minimum-wage worker needs to work 32 hours a week just to pay the average Auckland rent, it is no surprise there are huge inequities that personal and corporate generosity can help to address.
As we approach the dawn of the Super City, we cannot rely on tax or ratepayers alone to finance innovative solutions. In my view, the answer is smart charitable giving and the Auckland Communities Foundation – to be launched later this month – is one accessible way for generous Aucklanders to make a dramatic impact on the city’s social issues.
The Foundation is based on a highly successful international model for streamlined and effective charitable funding of local communities, where being a millionaire is not a pre-requisite to making a meaningful contribution.
Families are able to give back as well as the very wealthy and businesses. A little bit can be put aside every year, and built up to the point where the fund produces useful income. As Theodore Roosevelt said: “Do what you can, with what you have”.
From the ultra wealthy to the philanthropic family, everyone needs good advice about where money is required, and wants to see smart decisions being made about where their money goes.
One of the biggest lost opportunities in my view is the millions of dollars which move from one bank account to another every day because someone has died and the money has simply gone to their will’s beneficiaries.
Many wealthy individuals worry about their heirs becoming ‘trust fund babies’ and would leave part of their estate to their community if they could be sure the money would be well spent. The Foundation is designed to enable this kind of thoughtful legacy.
The Foundation aims to build a $30 million ‘Infinity Fund’ in the next 10 years and grow that to more than $100 million by 2040. To achieve this it is seeking generous people, groups or corporate entities which have $5,000 or more to start a charitable fund under the Foundation’s tax and administratively efficient umbrella.
All money is placed with respected independent funds managers tasked with gaining a return from conservative investments. Capital and income, or just income, can be distributed at the wishes of the fund donor (supplemented by the informed advice of the Foundation).
Money donated to a Foundation fund can be directed towards a cause which is the passion of the donor, and it can ensure money goes to groups which are delivering for the community.
There is a danger of New Zealanders being exposed to charity request overkill. Every week, a worthy cause comes knocking, has volunteers shaking buckets on street corners, or an envelope appeal.
New Zealand has more than 24,000 charities, with multiple groups advocating for the same issue. There is a case for some charities to merge – at the very least we need to ensure charities operate at best-practice level, and co-operate.
This is an area where the Foundation can have an impact as it can require charities to work together if they are to get fund money.
Melbourne has a tremendously successful community foundation which is the closest benchmark for Auckland. Its foundation has $35 million under management, and another $60 million pledged.
It has fewer than five full time staff members who oversee 160 charitable funds under its umbrella. Foundations reduce duplication of administration – in the old model, those 160 funds would most likely be in the form of 160 trusts, each with administrative staff.
The key with philanthropy is to ensure good decisions are made on solid evidence of where the greatest needs are. The Foundation is undertaking a five-month research project, MacroAuckland, to shed unprecedented light on Auckland’s social and community issues.
This is the first project of its type to peel back the multiple layers of data, to involve so many diverse sources of information, and to provide hard evidence of Auckland’s strengths and challenges.
Mark Bentley
Chief Executive
8 June 2010 - Tindall Foundation Grants Announced for 2010-2011
The Manukau Community Foundation is pleased to announce that it has supported eight important community organisations in Manukau on behalf of the Tindall Foundation in their role as funding manager.
As Manukau is a young city with 42% of the population under the age of 25 it is perhaps not surprising that there was a distinct youth focus to grants this year with over half of the awards given to youth mentoring and development programmes. Funded programmes included a twelve month discovery programme for youth with low self esteem run by Manukau Youth Development Trust under the Project K banner and the Big Buddy Mentoring Trust who will provide long term mentors to fatherless boys in the Manukau region. The other successful applicants included Auckland Workers Educational Association, Clendon Manurewa Whanau/ Family Support Services Trust, Iosis Family Solutions, New Zealand Sikh Women's Association, Papatoetoe Adolescent Christian Trust and Smoothstream.
This year, the Foundation received over twice as many applications for the funding and financial requests represented over five times the available funding pool. Whilst on the positive side this is reflective of an intense interest in the development of grassroots community initiatives, it is also indicative of the financial pressures that many organisations are facing in the current economic climate.
Mark Bentley, Chief Executive of the Foundation stated:
“It was a very difficult year to make awards this year due to the high number and quality of the applications from grassroots organisations. We noticed that the financial circumstances of the majority of applicants had deteriorated over the last year and that gives cause for concern.
“As the Foundation is a fundraiser as well as a grantmaker we hope that some of the funds we raise over the coming year could be used to support the worthy ventures we could not help this grants round. If anyone is looking to personally support grassroots community development in their local area through individual or company contributions we would love to talk to them.”
“The Manukau Community Foundation thanks everyone for applying and congratulates all those who have received grants. We applaud your important local work which continues to make Manukau a great place to live.”