The Acorn Blog
Where legacies take shape: insights, inspiration, and local voices that matter.
Western Bay Students Shine at the 2025 Dale Carnegie Youth Graduation
Twenty-two Western Bay Year 13 students crossed the stage at Tauranga’s Masonic Conference Centre after three intensive days of Dale Carnegie training, emerging with fresh confidence, sharper people…
Planting the first acorn: Edna Brown’s enduring legacy
How a quiet bequest from Tauranga resident Edna Brown became the very first Acorn Foundation fund, sparking more than $75 k in grants (and counting) for medical charities while her original gift keeps…
From Tiny Seed to Mighty Forest: 23 Years of Acorn Foundation Milestones
Explore 23 years of Acorn Foundation milestones and discover how $20 million in grants is reshaping the Western Bay of Plenty.
Celebrating Our 2025 Outward Bound Scholarship Receipents
On 10 June we celebrated 12 rangatahi awarded 2025 Outward Bound scholarships—an inspiring evening of youth achievement and donor generosity at The Kollective.
Acorn Foundation Scholars Shine at the University of Waikato
Acorn Foundation has honoured four exceptional students with its 2025 University of Waikato scholarships, supporting first-in-family, adult-learner and marine-science study paths.
WBOP Women's Fund Anniversary Long Lunch: A Celebration of Community Impact
Celebrating a year of giving: the WBOP Women’s Fund Anniversary Long Lunch honoured grants to Mums4Mums, Tauranga Women’s Refuge and Tauranga Living Without Violence, while announcing “personal…
Healthvision Festival of Disability Sport Triumphs in Tauranga
More than 150 disabled athletes lit up Tauranga at the Healthvision Festival of Disability Sport, a two-day showcase backed by the Acorn Foundation and partners to make sport more inclusive in the Bay…
TK & Friends Giving Circle Awards First Grants
Collective giving in action: the TK & Friends Giving Circle has granted $6,000 to UOKBRO, Army of Aunties and Grief Support Services, strengthening community wellbeing across the Western Bay of…
Founders' Vision Becomes Reality: First Friends of Bethlehem College Scholarship Awarded
A $50k endowment has enabled the inaugural Friends of Bethlehem College Scholarship, recognising Head Girl Kristin Rippey for outstanding Christian service and leadership.