22 Years Later, $25 Million of Local Impact
Thanks to the generosity of more than 500+ donor funds, Acorn Foundation has gifted over $25 million since 2003 to hundreds of local community organisations and scholarship programmes.
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.”
– Ann 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
Learn more about our Smarter Giving Model
Find out how to make your charitable giving go further.
News and updates
Celebrating our 2026 Outward Bound scholarship recipients
Fourteen students from across the Western Bay of Plenty and Whakatāne have completed a life-changing three-week Outward Bound course, supported by scholarships funded by generous Acorn donors and…
More Than the Sum: The Story of Collective Giving
Collective giving allows everyday people to combine their generosity and make a greater impact together. Discover how Acorn Foundation’s four giving circles are supporting charities and community…