Womens Entrepreneurs Fund
The Christchurch Foundation is lucky enough to work with an incredible donor, Joy Shivas who has funded the establishment of our Women's Entrepreneurship Fund.
We will be giving several scholarships and grants to female entrepreneurs. Joy knows that our future will be forged by today’s entrepreneurs, and she is passionate about supporting more women to get involved in this important mahi.
We are excited to announce that we will be granting another three $10,000 grants for Female Entrepreneurs!
In New Zealand, only about 1 in 5 start-ups are led by women. 85% of venture capital goes to men.
We have a solid start-up ecosystem in greater Ōtautahi Christchurch. You might be about to embark on an entrepreneur incubator programme in our forward-thinking city or going out on your own to start your first business. In greater Ōtautahi Christchurch there is easy access to business mentorship, networks of experts in your field and education in the skills you’ll need for greater chance of success.
But what about covering the bills while you’re on this journey?
If you are a new female entrepreneur, (or maybe not quite...maybe you’re a woman with a vision for your future business) then we want to hear from you. These grants can cover personal expenses, childcare or living costs – if you’re putting your day-to-day work on hold to support your fledgling company then we want to support you.
One of the key issues for female entrepreneurs is that they can feel like they’re alone. Joy, our donor, is shifting the dial on gender inequalities in the start-up world in hopes these grants can offer the encouragement and financial safety net for you to take that leap.
Criteria for grants:
- A person who identifies as a female
- based in greater Ōtautahi Christchurch (Christchurch, Selwyn and Waimakariri districts)
- working on an exciting new venture/start-up (early stage, pre-funding or capital raise)
- who is happy to share their story as a female founder/entrepreneur
These grants are a donation to the individual to cover the living and personal costs of a female entrepreneur to help ease financial burdens while she works on her new business/venture.
Applications are OPEN!
Please apply now via this link. Application Close 4th October.
Kate Sheppard T's and Tote's
These totes and t-shirts celebrate our legacy of female leadership here in greater Ōtautahi Christchurch and are a call to action to for women and girls from Christchurch, Selwyn and Waimakariri to continue to act as changemakers.
The design was provided by two very talented artists, Kophie Su’a-Hulsbosch and Janine Williams. The design reflects the mural they created which was launched on Suffrage Day 2023, at 92 Hereford Street.
Profits from the sale of the T's and Totes go towards our Kate Sheppard Fund to support and champion today's outstanding female leaders.
Become A Patron
The Christchurch Foundation was set up to ensure that philanthropy in Canterbury could operate in a cohesive and effective way that has impact. With this in mind, we are looking for Patrons who want to be part of that legacy.
