‘Strategic generosity’ on the rise
New Zealanders are giving generously to their communities, but their stories may need to be shared to encourage more to give.
One of those is Jenny McDonald and her late husband, Colin, of Taupo¯ , who established a fund to the Geyser Foundation for musicians, to foster the love of music in future generations, and to make the lives of those living with a disability easier.
McDonald was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy type III as a teenager, but never let the diagnosis affect her outlook on living life to its fullest potential.
‘‘It’s a way of giving back to the community that we’ve lived in,’’ she said.
‘‘We thought it would be good to put it in to the community so that it can be invested forever and a day.’’
Disabilities affected so many, but not everyone could get everything they needed, she said.
With no children of their own, McDonald said she and Colin wanted their money to make a difference.
Her husband was so supportive of her that the established fund was also a way of remembering him.
She wanted others to know how they could put their money to work for the community.
‘‘They can make it to suit their fields of interest . . . and help people in the future, which is something I feel quite strongly about.’’
Community Foundations of New Zealand executive officer Eleanor Cater said giving was sometimes a sensitive topic for the many who had given money back to their communities in recent years.
‘‘We’re seeing a growth in strategic generosity. People are wanting to see a difference in the world.’’
New Zealanders were becoming more aware of the many ways to donate back to their community, and she was seeing a rise in people putting more thought into donating and becoming ‘‘more strategic’’ in giving money,
‘‘It’s about using your money smarter.’’
The community foundation can allow donors’ giving to continue forever through their invested endowment model.
Giving through a community foundation was different to giving to charity, and had some advantages, she said.
The foundation would know the community well, which meant they could talk to the giver and ask what they wanted to change in their community, she said.
‘‘People don’t like to talk about their generosity, but normalising people’s generosity was important,’’ Cater said.
‘‘It’s a real gift to tell the stories of people doing this, because it really does influence others.’’