Women's Giving Circle
What is a Giving Circle?
A giving circle is a form of collective giving whereby a group of people pool their individual donations and then jointly decide how and where the funds should be distributed. Individually each contribution makes an impact, but jointly it is amplified having a much greater impact in the community.
The benefits of being part of a giving circle go beyond just making a worthy financial contribution. Participants become part of a network of people with shared values. They learn about issues that are being supported, the people and organisations that are doing work or providing services in the community and can get more involved by volunteering or providing pro-bono services. There will be events to attend for the membership.
The giving circle model was developed in the US in the late 1990s and has come to prominence in New Zealand over the past 10 years. Examples that you might have come across are:
- Impact 100 Wakatipu which is part of the Wakatipu Community Foundation
- The Waikato Women’s Fund
- The 1% collective in Wellington
Activities of the giving circle will be separate to the Kate Sheppard Women's Fund and are run by the circles Executive Committee. The Christchurch Foundation provides some, data insights, marketing and administration to support the activities of the circle.
Purpose
To empower women to achieve their purpose in a way that recognises their strengths.
Vision
Greater Christchurch is a place where women are supported to thrive in whatever way is meaningful to them. We honour feminine wisdom, which is not simply knowledge, but a powerful and intuitive force.
Values
The Giving Circle strives to be: Inclusive, Impact Driven, Bold, Innovative, Inspiring, Community Focused, Celebratory, Supporting and Empowering.
Structure
Borrowing from the highly successful Queenstown ‘Impact 100’ model, we are aiming for a membership of at least one hundred people contributing annually, and through a managed process deciding where funds should be distributed.
To join, or get more information contact Lynn Umbers.
lynne.umbers@outlook.com
Membership
Membership is open to anyone and will work within the policy guidelines set up by the Executive.
Membership contributions are as follows:
Standard: $1000/year + administration fee (10%)
under 35s and over 65s: $400/year + administration (10%)
Monthly payment options are available.
Each member has one, non-transferable vote.
Port Hills Fire Regeneration
In response to the 2024 Port Hills fire this fund has been established to assist with the regeneration of endemic natives in the impacted area.
There is scientific evidence that natives are more fire resistant and can significantly contribute to the resilience and protection of at-risk ecosystems and communities.
The funds raised will be actively managed by The Christchurch Foundation and distributed with support of the Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust and Te Kākahu Kahukura. These two reputable entities are already working in the impacted area and have extensive experience in the establishment of native plants in a best practice manner with participating landowners (private/public and charitable).
Funding could be applied not only to securing new plants but could also include pest management, weeding and other activities to support the regeneration of the area safely.
The intent is to help increase the fire protection on the port hills as well as also increasing the biodiversity of the area.
Maurice & I
Maurice & I is a feature-length documentary celebrating Sir Miles Warren and Maurice Mahoney’s influential architectural partnership, and their fight to save the magnificent Christchurch Town Hall from demolition after the devastating 2011 earthquake.
We are supporting the crowd source campaign to raise the final $60,000 required to take this story to the world.
Sponsorship opportunities are also available: Please contact Rick Harvie rick@belmont.co.nz for information about these.
