28 January 2011

The Thomas George Macarthy Trust (Trust) continues to play a leading role in philanthropy with the announcement of over $2.5 million in charitable grants to the greater Wellington region. This year’s recipients include more than 660 educational, charitable and community organisations throughout the Wellington, Wairarapa, Manawatu, Kapiti, Horowhenua and Wanganui districts.

As one of New Zealand’s most well recognised and enduring private charitable organisations, the Trust has now granted over $56.3 million under the management of Public Trust since its inception in 1912.

“With an increase of 16% on last year’s applications there is an undeniable need for philanthropy in New Zealand,” said Mark Cassidy, Public Trust Senior Relationship Manager. “As trustee we are pleased to be able to maintain a consistent level of funding to help build strong, inclusive and supportive communities within the greater Wellington region.”

This year’s recipients include a range of organisations supporting early childhood care, youth, education, hospitals and ambulances, the elderly, mental health and a variety of other social services.

Over a quarter of the total grants ($695,600) was allocated to educational organisations including 218 schools throughout the region to support the continued maintenance of libraries and the provision of a range of educational programmes. Early childhood providers received $170,500 with recipients including 29 Plunkets, 32 playcentres, 70 kindergartens as well as 75 Kohanga Reo and 16 Pacific Island language groups.

Social service organisations received over $668,000, with notable grants going to The Wellington City Mission, Wellington Night Shelter, the Salvation Army and the Suzanne Aubert Compassion Centre in Wellington. Life Flight Trust, Wellington Free Ambulance and the central region Coastguard were among the 10 hospitals and ambulance services that received $461,500 in grants. A further 58 organisations caring for the elderly or disabled received support from the Trust with regional Age Concern and SPELD groups included in the list of recipients.

The allocation of grants by the Trust is undertaken by an independent board including His Excellency the Governor-General, the Prime Minister’s representative, the Mayor of Wellington and the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Wellington.

“Each year we receive letters of thanks from a long list of beneficiaries expressing their gratitude for the level of support provided and the difference that the grants make. We are very pleased to be able to help so many deserving organisations through the work of the Trust,” commented Mr Cassidy. “Through our prudent and professional management of the Trust we look forward to continuing to support the wider community with funding maintained for many years to come.”

ENDS

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