What does it mean to transfer a trust?

A trust transfer (or resettlement) allows you to wind up an existing charitable trust while continuing to honour its original purpose.

Instead of continuing to manage the trust independently, its assets are transferred into a named fund within Acorn. The fund retains its identity and intent, while Acorn takes care of governance, compliance, investment, and distribution.

This means you can step away from the complexity of running a trust, while ensuring its impact continues long into the future.

Why many trusts are choosing this path

The environment for charitable trusts in New Zealand is changing.

Many trustees are facing:

  • increasing compliance and reporting requirements

  • difficulty finding and retaining trustees

  • rising administrative and legal costs

  • challenges managing investments effectively

For many, what was once a simple structure has become difficult to sustain.

Transferring a trust to Acorn offers a practical, future-focused solution.

How a trust transfer works

  1. You define the purpose - We work with you to confirm the intent of your trust and how you’d like funds to be used.

  2. Your trust is transferred - The assets are moved into a named fund within Acorn.

  3. We manage the fund - Acorn takes care of compliance, governance, administration, and investment.

  4. Funding is distributed annually - Each year, income from the fund is granted to support your chosen causes.

  5. The fund continues in perpetuity - The capital remains invested, allowing the fund to grow and give back year after year.

Perpetual impact

A model designed to last forever

Unlike many traditional trusts, where funds may be gradually spent down, Acorn’s model is designed to protect and grow your gift over time.

Funds are:

  • pooled and professionally invested

  • managed for long-term growth

  • distributed annually using a sustainable percentage

Only a portion of the returns are granted each year (typically around 3.5%–5%), allowing the fund to continue growing and supporting the community indefinitely. 

This creates a powerful cycle:

your trust → invested → grows → gives every year → forever

Why transfer a Trust to Acorn? 

1. Plug into our existing organisation for a simple and stress-free transfer

Annual reports, Charities Service registration and ongoing compliance are already handled. Fund setup is simple and straightforward. Once funds are transferred and the intended purpose of the fund set, fund holders can concentrate on the pleasure of giving to causes they are passionate about.

 

2. Retain an existing brand

Fund holders choose the name and the purpose of the fund, knowing that the Acorn Foundation is supporting effective philanthropy in the background.

 

3. Access professional fund management

Tap into the financial expertise of the team at Craigs Investment Partners, who have been managing the Acorn portfolio since 2003. With oversight from our highly experienced Investment Advisory Committee, over the past 10 years, our portfolio has seen an annualised gross rate of return of 7.80%, while the annualised net return is 7.23%.

4. Partner with an organisation with granting know how

Acorn has in-depth knowledge of the issues facing our community. Having granted more than $20M on behalf of our donors since 2003, we know where generosity gets the best results. Our extensive research and strong relationships with other local funders ensure that our donors’ philanthropic interests are met.

 

5. Benefit from robust governance oversight

The Acorn Foundation has a well-established Board of Trustees and Committee members with diverse and complementary skillsets, and in-depth knowledge of the local community.

 

6. Ensure low ongoing costs

The Acorn Foundation takes an annual 1% fee. There are no additional legal, tax, accounting, insurance, staff, or record-keeping costs.

Example: Eaddy Rowing Trust

 

The Eaddy Junior Rowing Trust is named in remembrance of the late William Harold (Bill) and Doris Eaddy. When Bill passed away, he set aside part of his residuary estate for purposes which supported junior rowers and their coaches.

The Bill and Doris Eaddy Memorial Trust was established by Deed of Trust in July 2002 and registered as a charity. In 2023, the trust was resettled and transferred to the Acorn Foundation to administer. It is our honour to continue the legacy of Bill and Doris.

Bill Eaddy

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