Nikau Foundation facilitates $147,000 in grants thanks to the fastest growing movement in philanthropy

When Nikau Foundation gave a grant last year to save Wairarapa’s Wairio Wetlands, they didn’t realise they’d also be making a significant step towards creating cleaner water for the area.

Nikau Foundation has now decided to give a further $3,000 grant to Ducks Unlimited, the volunteer wetlands and waterfowl conservation group, who are developing the Wairio Wetlands.

Their grant is one of 31 grants given out tonight to not-for-profits in the Wellington region, totalling $147,000.

Kitty Hilton, Chief Executive, Nikau Foundation, said the night was a celebration of the fastest growing movement in philanthropy, community foundations.

Funds are created with Nikau Foundation: the capital remains intact and the distribution of the ongoing interest is given out in grants.

“The way New Zealanders give is changing. We’ve doubled the amount of funds we manage over the past year,” says Ms Hilton.

“Giving through Nikau creates sustainable change – a bigger, lasting impact.”

Other recipients for the recent grant round include the Malaghan Institute for research into eczema and its associated immune cell responses; New Zealand Portrait Gallery for the purchase of a portrait of Dr Lawrence Hogben, a navy forecaster for WWII D-day landings; the National Collective of Independent Women's Refuges to establish a new endowment fund; a grant to Circa Theatre towards new seats from the newly formed Roger Hall Theatre Endowment Fund; and grants to Arthritis New Zealand, SPCA, NZ Kindergarten and Waikanae Volunteer Fire Brigade.

Ms Hilton has recently returned from The International Fundraising Congress in Holland. She is considered one of New Zealand’s leading experts in philanthropy.

“Social responsibility used to be a nice-to-do. It’s now a have-to-do.”

ENDS

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