Strong foundation to help charities
The Nelson Bays Community Foundation has $6 million of funding commitments for future charitable grants.
The foundation is part of a growing network of community foundations across New Zealand and the world. It invests money from bequests and other donations and distributes the income to local charities.
At its recent annual meeting members were told that commitments to the foundation, typically through memorandums of understanding or a clause in donor wills, amounted to $6 million, providing a solid platform for its work.
The Nelson foundation was set up in 2010 and began distributions in 2012. It is seeking to raise awareness to further grow the funds it gives to community groups.
Foundation chair Julie Varney, of the Business Development Company, said the organisation was independent and sustainable. ‘‘We’re here for the long term,’’ she said.
In the year to March the foundation distributed $31,595 of its own and Tindall Foundation funding to eight local charities. Since then it has confirmed a further $30,500 in grants to a further 11 groups.
The recipients included the Nel- son District Parents Centre, which used the money for parenting classes, courses, and Adult Learning Support Nelson which is running a life skills course for disadvantaged young men.
Applications for the foundation’s general endowment and environment funds close on August 31 each year.
It is also in partnership with the Tindall Foundation over distribution of its family and social services programme.
The next round of applications for this fund closes on February 6 next year, but applicants are advised to allow two months to complete the process.
The foundation trustees have typically been volunteers from the business community though that is not a prerequisite.
Inaugural trustee John Rollston, a principal at business advice and accounting firm Crowe Horwath, stepped down at the foundation’s annual meeting.
He said it had been a ‘‘real honour’’ to serve the foundation.