New Zealanders have always been very generous; making personal donations is something that is embedded in the Kiwi psyche. While everyone understands the concept of donating to charity, increasingly New Zealanders are discovering they can leave a gift in their will to benefit their communities long term.
The concept of leaving a gift to benefit your local community is something which has been growing across the world since the first Community Foundation was launched in Cleveland, USA in 1914.
Lawyer and banker, Frederick Goff, saw there was a need for a community-based structure to enable local people to give in a way that would tackle local issues and remain relevant long term.
Cleveland Foundation was launched and, since that time, more than 1800 Community Foundations have been established across the world, 18 of them in New Zealand.
Since 2003, Community Foundations in New Zealand have enabled people to establish their own personal funds. The first of these funds was set up in Tauranga through the Acorn Foundation by the lawyers of Edna Brown.
Edna left a gift in her will which she specified should go to local healthcare causes. The Acorn Foundation invested this gift, which has grown and gifted to the community every year since 2003.
Now, 22 years later, the fund has given out significantly more than the original gift which has grown to keep pace with inflation.
Because Edna’s fund is invested in perpetuity, her fund keeps earning income year after year. To date, that income has supported 15 causes dedicated to medical research, treatment, and quality of life.
What we find through our work is that it’s really difficult to give well to communities.
With the growing demand for advice, the 18-strong network of Community Foundations, which span the length of the country, has enabled hundreds of gifts in wills (also known as bequests) to be invested for the benefit of local communities long term.
In my role, I really love the joy that giving well into communities brings to people, as they go about shaping their legacy.
– Eleanor Cater is CEO of Community Foundations of Aotearoa NZ1, a Winston Churchill Fellow and has an MA in Philanthropic Studies through the University of Kent’s Centre for Philanthropy. See www.communityfoundations.org.nz to find out more about Community Foundations or write to PO Box 24-220, Manners Street, Wellington 6142 for a free Will Information Pack.
