Making your charitable giving have a bigger impact in our region
The Acorn Foundation enables generous people to make a bigger impact in their communities, by investing donations and distributing the returns to causes close to their hearts, year after year.
The generosity of our donors at a glance
Thanks to our donors, we have made the following impact to our community since 2003:
GIFTED TO OUR COMMUNITY
LOCAL CHARITIES SUPPORTED
PEOPLE CONNECTED TO CAUSES
Make a gift that keeps on giving
Unlike a one-off donation to a specific charity, gifts given through the Acorn Foundation’s Smarter Giving Model are invested in perpetuity, generating income that is distributed annually to community organisations in the Western Bay of Plenty. This means that a gift from a generous donor will continue to give back to causes close to their heart, for many years to come.
“I’ve always been community-minded so it seemed logical to set up a fund with Acorn. The fund keeps on earning interest, so you’re getting maximum value from one amount of money.”
– Anne Owen, Acorn donor
“The Acorn Foundation is a standout for its local focus on the special needs of our community, identifying individuals and truly worthwhile organisations that may deserve but otherwise never receive support. We’ve already seen some of the results of its work. Acorn will make this region a better place.”
– Gay & Murray Read-Smith, Acorn donors
“Giving through the Acorn Foundation is a wonderful way to help. Acorn ‘keeps its ear to the ground’ which we think is very important as we don’t really know who needs money the most. We have been happy in New Zealand and want to give something back.”
– Mary McGowan with husband, Roy, Acorn donors
Your giving. Your way.
Whether you’re an individual, a family, an existing Trust, a business, or a professional advisor, there are so many ways to get involved.
Give for tomorrow
Leave a lasting legacy in our community by creating your own named endowment fund or by donating to an existing Community Group fund. You can give during your lifetime or leave a gift in your Will. You can also transfer an existing Trust to Acorn or set up a Corporate Fund. Find out which option is best for you.
Give for today
Using our extensive community knowledge, the Acorn team can help facilitate immediate one-off gifts to charities for our individual and corporate donors, so you can see your gift at work in our region.
Give with others
Join or create a Giving Circle with other like-minded people or set up Workplace Giving in your organisation – and see the impact of your pooled donations in action.
Learn more about our Smarter Giving Model
Find out how to make your charitable giving go further.
News and updates
Supporting what you love, long after you’ve gone
The fund created by the Claude and Marjory Hewlett estate provided funding for the first time this year to their named recipient, Tauranga District Riding for the Disabled.
Acorn Foundation announces more than $3M in donations for 2022
Acorn’s incredible donors have allowed this region’s local community foundation to distribute more than $3M to 213 charitable organisations and scholarship and award programmes this year.
Nominations for Western Bay Community Awards 2023 Are Now Open
Previously known as the TECT Community Awards, the awards return with a new name, the Western Bay Community Awards.