A model designed to keep giving
The Community Foundation model is built on a simple idea: your generosity can continue creating impact year after year.
The Community Foundation model is built on a simple idea: your generosity can continue creating impact year after year. Rather than being granted out all at once, your donation is pooled with others and professionally invested for the long term. Each year, a portion of the investment returns is distributed to support local charities, causes and community needs, while the original gift remains intact and continues to grow.
Over time, this creates a lasting source of funding for the Western Bay of Plenty, supporting the community not just today, but for generations to come.
How a Named Fund works
- You make a gift to a fund that reflects what matters most to you.
- Your gift is invested alongside others in a professionally managed portfolio.
- Each year, a portion of the returns is distributed to support the community.
- The remaining capital stays invested, allowing the fund to continue growing over time.
Even a single gift can grow significantly when invested for the long term.
As funds are pooled and professionally managed, they help create a sustainable source of funding that continues to support the Western Bay of Plenty year after year.
Over time, this creates a simple but powerful cycle: give → grow → give again.
Why this matters
Traditional giving often creates a one-off moment of impact. While that support is valuable, the effect can be short-lived. Through the Community Foundation model, your gift becomes part of a long-term source of funding, generating support year after year and growing its impact over time.
That means:
- one donation can support multiple generations
- your impact can grow as the fund grows
- the community benefits not just now, but well into the future
Your gift → invested → grows → supports the community every year
Create a named Fund
Establishing a Named Fund with Acorn is one of the most personal ways to give back to the community you care about. We work closely with you to understand what causes matter most, helping shape a fund that reflects your values, your interests and the impact you want to have.
Your fund can support a Named Charity, focus on broad Fields of Interest, or remain Unrestricted so Acorn can respond to the community’s greatest needs each year. You can establish your fund during your lifetime, through a gift in your Will, or as part of your wider estate or trust planning.
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
You can 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.
Your fund can support a Named Charity, focus on areas you are passionate about, or remain Unrestricted so Acorn can respond to future community needs. Your distribution wishes can also be updated with the Acorn team over time, without needing to change your Will.
2. Setting Up Your Fund
Your fund can be established through a simple clause in your Will, or alongside your existing estate or trust planning. It can activate after your passing, or during your lifetime if you choose to begin giving now.
All donations are pooled and professionally invested to grow in perpetuity. Craigs Investment Partners manages these investments, with oversight from Acorn’s Investment Advisory Committee.
3. Activating Your Impact
Your fund begins making annual distributions once it reaches Acorn’s minimum fund balance of $25,000.
Annual distributions are made using a portion of the investment returns, ensuring your generosity can continue year after year without depleting your original gift. Distributions are made according to your wishes, whether that means supporting a Named Charity, broad Fields of Interest, or Unrestricted community needs guided by Acorn’s Distributions Committee.
Adrienne’s Story: Giving with purpose
Every fund has a story behind it. For Adrienne Coad, giving through Acorn means supporting causes close to her heart while knowing her generosity will continue helping the community well into the future.
Hear directly from Adrienne about why she chose Acorn, what it means to give during her lifetime, and the joy of seeing her fund make a difference.