Although Auckland Communities Foundation is new, it builds upon the excellent work started in 2000 under Trust Manukau, an initiative of the mayor of the day Sir Barry Curtis. The name and Trust Deed were changed in 2005 to become the Manukau Community Foundation.

Over the last nine years, the Foundation has been the grant maker for over $1.5m in grants to organisations and individuals in Manukau City mainly in the areas of youth at risk, refugee resettlement and literacy programmes

In line with international experience on community foundation sustainability, it was decided to significantly extend the scope, geography and aspiration of the Foundation, as the current geographic reach of the existing Foundation limits its capacity to raise funds and address the significant and pressing needs within Manukau and the broader Auckland region.

Consequently, the Auckland Communities Foundation (ACF) was born expanding the geographic reach of the Foundation to encompass the Greater Auckland Region.