Recipient Case Studies

Since Acorn began in 2003, our donors have helped us distribute over $19.5M to hundreds of charitable organisations working in the Western Bay of Plenty. Find out more about some of the groups that have received Acorn funding below.

Te Puke’s Guardian Angel, Joyce Wessel [1925 – 2023]

26 Feb 2025

Te Puke’s Guardian Angel, Joyce Wessel [1925 – 2023]

A beloved Te Puke local celebrated for her contribution to keeping Te Puke safe.

Seven students have been awarded Owens Scholarships for 2024

19 Dec 2024

Seven students have been awarded Owens Scholarships for 2024

Mahé shared his grandparents' belief that a good education is important. However, whilst academic ability is important, Bob and Joy Owens were particularly interested in applicants who desire to…

First FAME Year 13 Performing Arts Scholarship Recipient Selected

24 Oct 2024

First FAME Year 13 Performing Arts Scholarship Recipient Selected

Congratulations to Michael van Lieshout, head prefect at Tauranga Boys’ College and talented guitarist.

Daily vaping rates in NZ teens almost double year on year

23 Sep 2024

Daily vaping rates in NZ teens almost double year on year

The doubling of daily vaping among teenagers is nothing short of a public health crisis that demands urgent attention. The Acorn Foundation will fund Te Hā Ora’s ability to offer 24 workshops to…

Acorn Foundation celebrates 10% increase in endowment giving

15 Sep 2024

Acorn Foundation celebrates 10% increase in endowment giving

272 charitable organisations and scholarship programmes will benefit from this year’s Acorn Foundation distributions.

Local Students win 2024 scholarships to Outward Bound

17 Jun 2024

Local Students win 2024 scholarships to Outward Bound

14 students celebrated winning the 2024 Outward Bound Scholarship and will attend the Tangaroa Watch programme at Anakiwa in the South Island.

Heart of the Community

03 Jun 2024

Heart of the Community

Mums4Mums recently won the Heart of the Community Award at the Western Bay Community Awards. In order for new mothers and babies to thrive, Mums4Mums put volunteers into their homes to provide…

Page/Acorn Engineering

31 May 2024

Page/Acorn Engineering

The Acorn Foundation honoured winners of the 2023 and 2024 Page/Acorn Engineering Scholarship this week at a special awards ceremony.

Super Support

23 May 2024

Super Support

There have been a growing number of stories about superannuants experiencing hunger. Some are even going days without a nutritious meal due to financial stress brought about by rising living costs.

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