A view from the desk of the Executive Officer: Rosemary Sloman

Iti noa ana, he pito mata-with care, a small kumara will produce a harvest

This past year, intertwined with the ebbs, flows and challenges of ongoing Covid restrictions, some important milestones have been met, as a Foundation.

The ‘business’ is growing rapidly, and it has been a joy to have operational assistance after five years of working in isolation.  In limited time, Lyndell is helping to hone and refine processes, to make for greater efficiency and to ensure the Foundation data is correct and accessible.

To have a place to call ‘home’. Firmly planted in downtown Whakatane.

Eight new funds established in the 2021-22 year, a mix of pass-through and endowment funds, providing for aspects of the community, as directed by the generous donors who have entrusted these funds to us.

Funds under management passed that elusive million-dollar mark and continue to grow.  

Poipoia te kakano kia puawai - Nurture the seed and it will blossom 

Relationship building: the Foundation profile in the communities of the Eastern Bay is steadily growing, thanks to interaction with Professional Advisors and personal approaches, along with a growing presence on air, in print and on-line, attendance and membership of professional bodies in the district.

Granting has also lifted with a record return to community, through the distributions of endowment funds, pass-through funds. Special grants that come into our community from the Craigs Investment Partners Christmas Giving Initiative and The Tindall Foundation, are administered by the Distributions Panel at our sister Foundation, Acorn, providing impactful support to charities  within the Eastern Bay.

Te wero- the challenge

Persistence and gentle persuasion have been the keys to speaking with community groups and individuals over the past year, as many individuals in their mature years are reluctant to engage, whilst the threat of illness hangs over.

The greatest challenge for our Foundation lies in resourcing, to ensure the communities we live, work and play in, are able to thrive, with the curated assistance of generous philanthropists working hand in hand with us to be the change-makers.