About

About Community Foundations of Aotearoa NZ

Community Foundations of Aotearoa NZ is the national membership body supporting and uniting all of the regional Community Foundations across our nation.

Our aim is for strong communities - hei whakakaha, i ngā hāpori o Aotearoa - supporting our tūrangawaewae and building communities where everyone belongs and thrives.

We help kiwis affect lasting change, wherever their home or heart may be, and we believe in enabling every New Zealander so that they feel empowered to be a changemaker in their own community.

We’ve been growing as a network since 2003. Find out more about our history below.

Image showing parents and kids playing sack race in a park

The collective good.

Through New Zealand's Community Foundations network, over $115 million has been granted into New Zealand communities, and we have over $315 million invested in community funds, for the future. Further, the potential of more than 700 community bequests to date, add up to significant future community impact (over $1b in future community funds).

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Granted to New Zealand communities over the past 10 years

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Invested in managed community endowment funds

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Number of grants made into local communities in the past year

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Number of committed bequests for future community endowment funds

"Community Foundations have a core ethos of effective funding. They understand the particular challenges our communities face and know where funding should be directed to achieve the greatest possible good".

Dame Cindy Kiro 1 3 Our Patron, The Right Honourable Dame Cindy Kiro, GNZM, QSO, Governor-General of New Zealand
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Our history:

Community Foundations have been growing as a movement across New Zealand since 2003. But the idea that a group of people can invest their money for the good of their local area has been around for over a hundred years.

1914

Internationally, the first Community Foundation was established in Cleveland, USA. The movement rapidly spread across North America and to other parts of the world throughout the 20th century. It’s a global movement, one of the fastest growing forms of philanthropy in the world today.

1991

The Wellington Regional Community Foundation (today Nikau Foundation) is established to build an endowment fund for the region.

2003

Acorn Foundation is established for the Western Bay of Plenty region, and the first personal endowment fund, the Edna Brown Fund, is launched. Advance Ashburton Community Foundation is launched for Mid-Canterbury.

2007-2012

Community Foundations are established in Northland, Rotorua & Taupo, Hawke's Bay, Nelson, Eastern Bay of Plenty, South Canterbury and Auckland.

2013

Momentum Waikato Community Foundation is launched. The growing collective of Community Foundations meets in Wellington and agrees to establish Community Foundations of NZ, to support regional foundations.

2014-2015

Community Foundations of NZ is registered with Charities Services, initially run by volunteer Board. Community Foundations are established in Gisborne and Taranaki.

2017

The Tindall Foundation and Craigs Investment Partners come on board as funding partners for the national organisation. Community Foundations of NZ appoints our very first staff member (Executive Officer). The Christchurch Foundation is launched.

2018-2019

Community Foundations are established in Wakatipu, Clutha District, and the Horizons Region.

2021

Bill Holland, Sir Stephen Tindall and Neil Craig are appointed as founding Ambassadors.

2022

Miriama Kamo is appointed as an Ambassador. The Right Honourable Dame Cindy Kiro, Governor-General of New Zealand, is appointed as our first Patron. Fonterra joins our strategic partnership family.

2023

Community Foundations of NZ is renamed Community Foundations of Aotearoa NZ, as determined by members at our AGM.

2024

Southland Foundation is launched.

Today

Today, there are Community Foundations covering most regions of Aotearoa NZ. While around 90% of New Zealanders can give through their local Community Foundation, our coverage is not quite complete and our history is still being written....

"Community Foundations give us the opportunity, now, to create an even better community for our children, grandkids and all those who follow."

Josh Hickford Josh Hickford, CEO Taranaki Foundation and CFANZ Trustee

Why community foundations? Sir Stephen Tindall talks about the generosity of kiwis and the joy of giving