FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

A Community Foundation is a charitable organisation that pools donations into a coordinated investment fund, with the returns distributed as grants to local causes. Community Foundations focus on building endowments and bequests to create a permanent source of funding for community projects, rather than spending all donations immediately. This model ensures sustainable, long-term support for local initiatives.

Facilitating this type of giving for our region is imperative – there are no other charitable entities committed to perpetual, place-based philanthropy like Community Foundations. There are 18 Community Foundations in New Zealand and over 1,800 Community Foundations worldwide. Nearly every region in Aotearoa has a Community Foundation – you can see the list here. In the wider Christchurch region, The Christchurch Foundation provides an important philanthropic infrastructure by: Building a series of permanent endowment funds that support local causes, in perpetuity Offering a transparent, accountable vehicle for donors who wish to give back to their local community Understanding the local charitable sector, assessing local needs and directing funding towards critical areas/sectors Providing specialist knowledge to ensure donations go where they can make the most difference Providing individuals and whānau an excellent way to pass on philanthropic values to future generations, without the administrative burden Connecting donors with causes they care about Offering another way in which local charitable entities can access funding Supporting disaster response by stewarding generosity in the immediate aftermath to where it is needed Providing another avenue of funding for charitable entities, reducing pressure on current funders Building a culture of strategic philanthropy in wider Ōtautahi

Money given directly to charity is generally spent on everyday needs, which is essential income for the charity sector. Increasingly, New Zealanders are also considering giving to their chosen causes in a more strategic way, with longevity. This is where the local Community Foundation like The Christchurch Foundation comes in. Funds are professionally invested, with the aim of growing the initial gift and the returns flowing back to donor cause(s) of choice as a revenue stream, forever. Over time, it means that giving delivers more income to local causes. Further, this method of gifting assists local charities and causes with their long-term financial sustainability by providing a reliable, long-term funding stream, enabling them to spend less time on fundraising and more on their mission. And, because The Christchurch Foundation is in touch with changeable community priorities, and who is doing great work, it means that donor gifts can be steered towards the greatest community needs and aspirations at point in time, enabling giving to remain relevant for the long term.