Givealittle.co.nz celebrates record-breaking Kiwi generosity

Givealittle.co.nz celebrates record-breaking Kiwi generosity

It’s just two months on from the Telecom Foundation’s announcement that it had purchased Givealittle.co.nz and the charity crowdfunding site is already blitzing donation levels achieved over its four-year history.

Late last year Telecom CEO Simon Moutter made a bold philanthropic commitment, permanently making the website a zero fees fundraising service for Kiwi causes. Kiwis seem to love the opportunity to assist others, responding with a surge of donations and new pages just in time for Christmas giving season.

Each month Givealittle.co.nz publishes a scorecard inviting the New Zealand public to celebrate how generous they are. The website is proving to be a unique insight into what Kiwis care about and just how ready we are to step up for our fellow Kiwis.

In November 2012, the service facilitated $123,416.78 in donations to 155 Kiwi causes – up 48% on October 2012. This was followed by a Christmas campaign encouraging Kiwis to create Givealittle pages and pool their online donations to fund ‘Bigger Gifts’ to deserving Kiwis and charitable organisations. The results from December 2012 showed similar strength with a leap of 37% on November with $169,137.32 in total donations to 252 causes.

Head of the Telecom Foundation, Lynne Le Gros said, “We’ve been amazed and inspired by the Bigger Gift pages that were created for loved ones, mentors and organisations. Seeing the jump in activity, and the swell of positive feedback, affirms the Telecom Foundation’s decision to provide a zero fees fundraising platform for all New Zealanders.”

Among the Christmas results are unique stories made possible from hoards of Kiwis giving online last month:

• Wellington six year-old Lucy received a second cochlear implant with donors giving $9,000 to help her parents meet the balance of the cost

• Friends and family of paraplegic Mike Brown rallied to raise over $6000 for a customised surfboard to get him back in the water

• The Auckland Grammar community came together with $53,000 raised to fund cancer treatment in the United States for much loved teacher Rodney Gordon

• The Wilson sisters used social media to raise $2,000 that saved a Kaimanawa stallion from slaughter.

ENDS

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