Ensuring maximum returns to the community

Alice Montague
Executive Director
Nikau Foundation
3 March 2020

More people than ever are motivated to give back to the community where they live, work and raise a family. That’s why when Trust Porirua chose to transfer their $5.5 million fund to Nikau Foundation to manage in October 2018, we made a commitment to ensuring maximum returns to the community.

Because of our economies of scale, our low fee structure and dedicated voluntary team, we are delighted to report that, under this new fund, over three times has much as been returned to the Porirua community this financial year. And, even with a challenging market outlook, we are committed to growing the fund over time, maximising returns and ensuring we can support a wide range of impactful initiatives for the future.

Conserving our natural heritage, cultivating creativity, supporting youth and the health and wellbeing of our communities, we are working hard to ensure we will be there for the Porirua region, now and in the future. A vital asset in shaping the city’s future, to grow the fund we are connected into our community and working with local people for maximum impact.

Our team of local Porirua volunteers help us to grow our reach, to build profile and to connect us into the great and impactful work that is going on. They help us to deepen our engagement across the region.

In 2019 we received over 70 applications for support from the Nikau Porirua District Fund. With the guidance of our volunteers, and the additional support of other donor funds, some of the 19 projects we funded include:

• Te Ara Moana – Building resilience and confidence in young people through water sports
• Mary Potter Hospice – A new community hospice hub for Porirua
• New Zealand Festival – Supporting a Porirua Festival of Youth
• Māori Womens Welfare League – Cultural mentoring and support for young people
• Whitireia Polytechnic – tertiary scholarships for local talented youth

We know that there are many more incredible organisations working across the region making positive social change. If you are passionate about Porirua and the great initiatives happening in this region you can be a part of the future by:

• Giving a gift to the Nikau Porirua Fund
• Establishing your own endowment fund or leave a gift in your will to support a cause of your choice
• Volunteering your time

Anyone can get involved and give their talents and resources to growing this immensely valuable asset for the region. Get in touch with us at Nikau Foundation if you’d like to know more.

See this story about the Nikau Porirua District Fund featured in Charities Services most recent newsletter and their blog post advising options to charities on winding up (including the option of taking a look at your local Community Foundation, which can enable a charity's purpose to continue on).