Shaping your personal legacy

September is Wills Month - Blog Series

Dame Fran Wilde
Chair, Nikau Foundation
5 September 2024

When Nikau Foundation was established in 1991 – the first community foundation of its kind in Aotearoa New Zealand – the world looked very different from what it does today. Over this time, the way people think about giving has also changed dramatically.

Donors are now thinking more strategically. They are thinking about the future and want to make sure that they are maximising the impact of their philanthropic dollar. Now, we also have a greater understanding that positive systemic change cannot be achieved by local or national government alone and that philanthropy has an important part to play in creating better outcomes for communities.

I am not sure that we have fully grasped the full potential of community foundations in Aotearoa New Zealand. But with a focus on growing generosity and connecting local donors with local need, these foundations have the potential to be changemakers.

At Nikau Foundation (the Greater Wellington community foundation, which I have the privilege of chairing), we have secured one of the biggest legacies in the history of New Zealand. The thoughtful decision by Mark Dunajtschik and Dorothy Spotswood is going to have a transformational impact on the lives of many people living with disability, long into the future. We also are delighted to work alongside so many other donors who wish to continue making an impact in our communities even after they’re gone.

Working with donors and enabling effective philanthropy which is really going to shift the dial, is highly skilled work and has the potential to transform our communities.

What I notice in our culture is a real desire to make a difference. However, there is often a lack of knowledge of how to do this in practical, powerful and meaningful ways. This is where local community foundations really come into their own, guiding Kiwis to shape their legacies to help tackle the biggest issues and, crucially, remain relevant for the long term. Over time, invested funds give back far more to communities than one off donations. It’s a really smart way to give, ensuring long term funding streams are directed into communities. Take a look at CFANZ’s fund calculator as a guide and you’ll see what I mean.

With the current mix of challenges our community is facing, building strong philanthropic ecosystems is more important than ever. A gift in your will, invested for the long-term benefit of your local community, is one way to make an enormous difference to the future of our nation. September is Wills Month and a good time to consider how you can shape your personal legacy.

Find out more and download a free Will Information Pack >>