For immediate release: 1 March 2010

The Max Foundation Announces Grants to Inspirational Kiwi Women

The Max Foundation for New Zealand Women has announced the winning applicants for its Winter 2009 round of cash grants.

A charitable trust established by the iconic fashion retailer, the Max Foundation for New Zealand Women, was launched in 2008 with the mission “to support individuals and initiatives whose actions enhance and inspire the wellbeing and advancement of New Zealand women.”

In the past year the Foundation has given away grants of around $75,000, money raised via special events, run in conjunction with SKYCITY Cinemas, and the sale of special merchandise through Max’s 32 stores. The major recipient of the Winter funding round is the Wairarapa Women’s Centre in Masterton which will receive $10,000 for operational costs.

The Centre was established in 1988 to confront women’s oppression and promote well being and development of women in the Wairarapa region. The Centre provides a safe place for women and children along with emergency clothing, linen, household goods, support, advocacy, workshops and courses on a wide range of topics and home visits when required.

Wairarapa Women’s Centre Co-ordinator Shanan Aspinall says, “we believe that knowledge empowers women, leading to better understanding and tolerance, bringing about harmony within families and
communities.”

The second recipient is New Beginnings Midwives, a group of four Auckland midwives, who will receive $5,000 to be held in a trust until June 2010 to go towards the upgrade of the Papakura Maternity Unit.

“The upgrade will give the women of Papakura a more pleasant and comfortable environment in which to spend the most important time in their lives,” says New Beginnings Midwives Representative Danielle North. “The Papakura Maternity Unit has been part of the community for over 60 years and we want it to continue to provide a wonderful service.”

The Taonga Education Centre Teenage Parent Unit in South Auckland, a previous Max Foundation recipient, will also benefit from a $5,000 grant.

The Centre enables young teenage mothers the opportunity to ensure their own lives and personal development continue to evolve without comprising that of their children’s. Specifically, the funding from the Max Foundation will provide the Silver and also the new Bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award participants the equipment and hireage fees needed to allow them to take on this life changing challenge.

Finally, the trustees also decided to grant $4,700 to The Women in Sport Project which will enable two women to attend the 5Th Annual International Working Group Conference on Women in Sport in Sydney in May 2010.

The Women in Sport Working Group is passionate about the future of New Zealand sport and will work in partnership with government, sporting organisations and businesses to set in place initiatives that will not only assist women to contribute more fully, but develop them and support them to achieve a greater proportion of leadership roles.

“We were delighted with the calibre of the entries received”, says Max Marketing Director and Max Foundation Trustee Sandy Burgham. “There are so many talented females living and working in New Zealand and we feel honoured we are able to reward a number of these women and assist them in reaching their potential and fulfilling their dreams.”

The applications received for the Winter round fell across all categories, which include creative arts, sport/leisure, work/study, special event/initiative/organisation and personal dream/goal. Applications are now open for Summer funding and can be accessed at www.maxfoundation.co.nz.

ENDS

© Scoop Media