Goldman Sachs Gives NZ$1M donation to fund Christchurch earthquake projects

New Zealand Red Cross today announced that Goldman Sachs Gives, a donor advised fund, has donated NZ$1 million to fund three key New Zealand Red Cross projects to support the people affected by the February 22nd earthquake and support teams in Christchurch.

The donation, made this week, will specifically support staff training to the Emergency Response teams on the ground; a psychosocial training programme which will equip volunteers to support affected people through trauma situations; and the provision of 25,000 portable torch/radios for Christchurch families to help households be better prepared in the affected region as they continue to experience aftershocks from the February quake.

John Ware, Chief Executive of New Zealand Red Cross, said that corporate donations like the one from Goldman Sachs Gives are invaluable in assisting Red Cross to provide critical support to Christchurch residents.

"The donation from Goldman Sachs Gives will enable Red Cross to deliver on-going support to affected people in Christchurch and to the volunteers and teams working within the community. The donation, which specifically fully funds key recovery projects, means Red Cross can implement these initiatives over the next three to six months and provide on-going help for the people of Christchurch," Mr Ware said.

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About Goldman Sachs Gives: Established in 2007, Goldman Sachs Gives is a donor advised fund through which participating managing directors of the firm recommend grants to certain qualified charitable organizations. Goldman Sachs Gives is designed to harness the collective philanthropic efforts of Goldman Sachs and its people, providing an added means to increase their support of charitable organizations around the world. On January 21, 2010, Goldman Sachs announced a $500 million contribution to Goldman Sachs Gives.

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