THE AORAKI FOUNDATION

Who are we?

The Aoraki Foundation is one of 18 Community Foundations in New Zealand. Our primary focus is to provide a simple and long lasting way for people to help charitable causes in the South Canterbury Community. The smarter giving model of Community Foundations ensures these gifts have the maximum impact now and in the future.

The Aoraki Foundation manages and administers over 20 separate endowment funds including: the South Canterbury Health Endowment Fund, Miller General Impact Fund, Fraser Ross Environmental Fund, Mackenzie Charitable Fund and many more. These provide ongoing funding for community groups and charities to create a better South Canterbury.

Donors can contribute to these funds with one off donations or a gift in their will. They can also establish their own named funds for gifts of more than $50,000 where can select the purposes or causes that is closest to their heart.

In addition to managing funds gifted to the Aoraki Foundation for the benefit of the district, the Aoraki Foundation also spearheaded the fundraising campaigns for the CBay Aquatic Centre and the MRI Scanner.

The Aoraki Foundation is guided by a group of voluntary trustees who are passionate about our district and are committed to strengthening our region.

How does it work?

The Aoraki Foundation invests donated money and distributes the income generated by those funds to charitable causes and community organisations within the South Canterbury district.

Donors who establish Named Funds with the Aoraki Foundation can specify the cause or organisation who will receive the money, or the way in which it is distributed such as through a scholarship.

Alternatively donors can contribute to existing funds such as the Miller General Impact Fund which distributed to groups who apply to the Aoraki Foundation in an annual grant round.

The Aoraki Foundation is committed to keeping the fund capital growing, and has a skilled Investment Advisory Committee working with our investment advisor to ensure annual growth occurs wherever possible, allowing the legacy of the gift to remain forever.

Find out more about Community Foundations

We’re part of a network of Community Foundations that have been growing around Aotearoa New Zealand since 2003. But the concept of pooling and investing charitable donations for the good of a local area has been a growing global movement for over a hundred years now. It works for everyday people because you don’t have to be wealthy to have an impact; all giving makes a difference through our smarter giving model.  

We love where we live. And we know there are lots of other caring Kiwis just like us, passionate about transforming their communities. That’s why we’re here. Through the coordination of the Community Foundations of New Zealand (our national body), we’re all working to provide resources that will make a lasting difference in our local communities. Our aim is for every New Zealander to be able to affect lasting change wherever their home or heart may be. For further details visit www.communityfoundations.org.nz