Applications open for charity ball money

Media release
Office of the Mayor

10 February 2012

Applications open for charity ball money

Money raised by the inaugural Mayoress’ Charity Gala Ball will soon be available to groups working with young Aucklanders as applications for grants are now open.

The ball, hosted by Mayor Len Brown and Mayoress Shan Inglis last November, raised $170,000 towards the Mayoress’ Fund for Youth, an independent charitable fund administered within the Auckland Communities Foundation.

The fund will support initiatives that directly benefit the health, well-being, educational opportunities and employment of young people living in Auckland.

“I believe in an Auckland where every child has the best possible start in life and a future full of opportunities,” says Shan Inglis “I am delighted by the success of the inaugural ball and the Mayoress’ Fund for Youth is now in a position to take applications for its first grants.”

Auckland Communities Foundation Chief Executive Mark Bentley says applications will be assessed by the Foundation’s independent Research and Grants Committee.

“Our advisors are experts in their fields and take an evidence-based approach to grant-making; ensuring that grants support initiatives with proven outcomes that address the real needs of young people in Auckland.”

Len Brown says he and the Mayoress were thrilled with the generosity of their guests and sponsors at the inaugural event. “The money raised from this event will support important initiatives working toward raising confident, healthy and resilient young Aucklanders with good education and career opportunities.”

The Mayoress hopes the Westpac Mayoress’ Charity Gala Ball will become a key fixture in Auckland’s annual events calendar. The 2012 event will be held on Saturday 22 September.

Shan Inglis has designed the fund to be a legacy for Auckland. In addition to the annual grants, she hopes to build a permanent endowment for Auckland’s young people over time. A percentage of the money raised each year will be held within the fund to ensure long-term support for young Aucklanders. It is envisaged that the patronage of the fund will pass on to future mayoral partners of Auckland.

Details on how to make applications and the criteria for grants is available on the Auckland Communities Foundation website www.aucklandcf.orgnz/mayoressfund. The Foundation will be looking to identify sustainable projects based on evidence, best practice and local knowledge.

Fund opens for applications: Now
Applications close: 31 March 2012
Grants announced: 25 May 2012

ENDS

Notes to Editors:
Event: 2012 Westpac Mayoress’ Charity Gala Ball
Date: Saturday 22 September

The Mayoress’ Fund for Youth:

Mission Statement: To enhance young Aucklanders’ quality of life and help them grow into confident, healthy adults with bright futures by raising funds to support initiatives that focus on health, well-being, education and transition for children and young people.

As a mother and grandmother, Mayoress Shan Inglis believes in an Auckland where every child has the best possible start in life and a future to look forward too. There are many individuals and organisations across our region working tirelessly to better the lives of young Aucklanders, yet New Zealand still has one of the highest rates of preventable illness and death for children in the OECD. More than 2000 young Aucklanders leave school each year without qualifications, and 15-19 year olds are the most over-represented group in unemployment statistics.

For Auckland to become the world’s most liveable city, young Aucklanders must have every opportunity to live healthy, fulfilling lives.

Individuals and businesses are also very welcome to support or contribute to the fund at any time.

The Mayoress’ Fund for Youth sits within Auckland Communities Foundation, an independent not-for-profit foundation providing highly efficient fund administration and grant-making expertise. The fund has its own advisory board that takes an evidence-based approach to grant-making; ensuring that grants support initiatives with proven outcomes that address the real needs of young Aucklanders.

While the Mayoress’ Fund for Youth will distribute funds every year, the Mayoress intends to build a permanent endowment for Auckland’s young people over time. A percentage of funds raised each year will be held within the fund to ensure long-term support for initiatives supporting young Aucklanders.

It is envisaged that the patronage of the fund will pass on to future mayoral partners of Auckland.

The Westpac Mayoress’ Charity Gala Ball was professionally organised and underwritten by Duco Events, with no cost to Auckland Council or ratepayers.

ENDS