Create a named Fund
Establishing a Named Endowment Fund with Acorn is an easy way to create an enduring legacy in the region you call home. The Acorn team will walk you through the process to ensure that your giving objectives are met. We’ll help you choose how and when you donate, and who your fund supports.
Next steps?
We’d love to chat with you about how we can help you give back to our community. Book a time to meet with Campbell Higgins, Acorn's Legacy Giving Manager.
How does a named fund work?
1. How Your Giving Works
Choose to make an impact now, later, or both. As a donor, you have the flexibility to give during your lifetime, leave a gift in your Will, or combine both approaches. Many donors enjoy seeing the difference their "Living Giving" makes today while also securing their legacy for tomorrow.
Your fund can support specific charities you love, focus on areas you're passionate about, or remain unrestricted to meet future needs. The best part? You can adjust your charitable distributions anytime without having to update your Will.
2. Setting Up Your Fund
Your fund is established with a simple clause added to your Will (or Memorandum of Wishes for a family trust). This arrangement activates either after your passing or when you begin your "Living Giving" journey.
All donations are pooled and professionally invested to grow in perpetuity. Craigs Investment Partners manages these investments, with careful oversight provided by Acorn's dedicated Investment Committee.
3. Activating Your Impact
Your fund becomes active once it reaches Acorn's minimum threshold. This threshold is $25,000 for unrestricted funds, or $50,000 if you've selected specific charities to support.
Annual distributions are made using investment returns, ensuring your generosity continues year after year. Distributions are made to your chosen charities, or if your fund is unrestricted, charities are selected by Acorn’s Distributions Committee.
Big news! Our network has recently teamed up with Gathered Here to help you write your will for free!
If you’d like to include a gift to Acorn Foundation in your will, you can now do so completely for free, and it only takes a matter of minutes. Gathered Here is a super easy option for those with a simple estate structure. However, creating an online will is not for everyone.
If you have a more complex estate, we recommend seeing your solicitor.
Complete your ONLINE will for free
Smarter Giving Model
Our Smarter Giving Model offers a more effective and enduring way to support the causes you care about in our region. A single gift from a generous donor will continue to grow and give back to causes close to their heart, year after year. Community Foundations of Aotearoa NZ has created the CFANZ Fund Calculator, allowing you to visualise exactly how your contribution will grow and multiply its impact over time.
Learn how the Smarter Giving Model works in this short animated video.