Kia ora koutou, greetings everyone.

In October we held a very successful annual meeting, with AGM formalities supplemented by talks from Sir Stephen Tindall, Arron Perriam (Executive Director of CFNZ), and Nathan Fa’avae.We had local attendees in the room as well as remote attendees by video, and we showcased our Annual Report.  That Report highlighted our ongoing conversion of potential to momentum, illustrated by having managed grants worth $113k during the year to March 2022.  We’ve come a long way in recent times.

The Board continues to focus on the need to spread our geographic reach and fulfil what it says in the name – Top of the South.  Our Golden Bay Fund has been seeded with $100k from a very generous couple, and in November we welcomed Ailie Suzuki to the Board as our first Marlborough Trustee!

Gavin and I were reminded over ‘a cuppa’ recently that having all our fund stakeholders as living givers, so they can walk alongside their impacts, really is unique.  Our guest suggested a changing social dynamic, with an apparent increasing recognition from those that ‘have’ about the challenges faced by those that ‘have not’.  We reflected how the Community Foundation ethos to encourage generosity has typically focussed on bequests, however, we now have a real opportunity to ask ‘why wait?’

So a message and a plea.  We typically aim to build funds to $50k before distributing on the grounds it takes a 4% / $2k return to make grant giving meaningful.  Right now we have multiple ‘pre-threshold’ funds, so might you or anyone you know tip in $500 or $1,000 (or more!) now?  i.e. Why wait?

1. Big Brothers Big Sisters Fund.  BBBS Nelson Tasman oversees a volunteer mentoring network, providing one-to-one mentoring for kiwi kids facing societal challenges and barriers to achievement.
2. Richmond Riding for Disabled Fund.  A charity that provides interaction with horses which assists in developing increased ability, independence and self-esteem for children and adults with physical, intellectual, emotional, and social challenges.
3. Zest for Life Fund.  A charity committed to assisting people experiencing Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) improve their quality of life and wellbeing.
4. Clifton Terrace School Fund.  A local primary school in Atawhai has established this endowment fund to assist with the school’s long-term financial sustainability.

Please get in touch or donate via our website.  You can select your fund and choose to remain anonymous if that’s your preference. https://www.topsouthfoundation.org.nz/donate/.

In the meantime, I hope this message finds everyone excited about the festive season and summer ahead, and I look forward to sharing more with you in 2023.

Ngā mihi, kind regards

Dave Ashcroft, Chair, [email protected]