Working Together for Stronger Communities
At Acorn Foundation, we know that lasting change is rarely achieved alone. That’s why we’re proud to join with our fellow local funders – TECT and BayTrust – along with Tauranga City Council, Western Bay of Plenty District Council, and SociaLink, to encourage community organisations to explore new ways of working together.
Our shared goal is simple: to support more collaboration across the sector so that services are joined-up rather than duplicated, and so that organisations can operate more efficiently and sustainably in a changing funding environment.
A history of collaboration in the Western Bay
The Western Bay of Plenty has a strong history of working together. When the Covid-19 pandemic struck, our region was one of only two across Aotearoa to coordinate emergency funding collaboratively. That spirit of innovation continues today, through shared initiatives such as the Tauranga Western Bay Community Event Fund, the Kaupapa Māori Event Fund, and the Bay of Plenty Housing Equity Fund. We also celebrate and resource community efforts through the Western Bay Community Awards and by sharing resources across funders.
Why collaboration matters now more than ever
The funding landscape is shifting. With central government reducing its contribution, local funders and councils cannot fill the shortfall. This means that “business as usual” may no longer be sustainable for many charities and community groups. Boards and managers are already recognising this reality – and we’re seeing inspiring examples of collaboration that are helping organisations to adapt and thrive.
When groups partner, the benefits are wide-ranging:
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Greater efficiency through shared resources.
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Stronger funding applications with a collective voice.
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More integrated services for communities.
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Enhanced wellbeing for staff and volunteers.
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Opportunities for innovation, shared learning, and increased reach.
Collaboration in action
We don’t have to look far to see what’s possible:
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Te Aranui Youth Trust + Bay of Plenty Youth Development Trust
By co-locating, sharing a Board, and offering a pipeline of services for youth, these organisations have created a model that maintains their individual identities while strengthening support for young people.
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Super Support
Age Concern, Bay Financial Mentors, Good Neighbour, HeretoHelpU, Tauranga City Council, and the Tauranga Community Foodbank have joined forces to provide meals and wrap-around support for seniors over 65. With a social worker funded by local funders to support all partners, this collaboration ensures help reaches those who need it most.
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Bay Conservation Alliance
Supporting more than 30 volunteer-run conservation groups, Bay Conservation Alliance takes on the back-office mahi, freeing up volunteers to focus on protecting our environment. Member groups retain their own funding streams while gaining essential administrative support.
Supporting new partnerships
To encourage further collaboration, local funders and councils are making additional funding available – separate from business-as-usual funding. SociaLink will also provide support as needed.
This support could help with:
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Reducing operational costs across organisations.
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Offering stronger services to vulnerable communities.
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Providing shared back-office resources so volunteer groups can focus on their mahi.
Funding may cover manager release, professional services (such as legal or administrative expertise), hui facilitation, or additional staffing hours.
Share your ideas
We invite Trustees and Managers to consider how their organisations might work together in new ways. Expressions of Interest (EOIs) submitted by two or more organisations will be prioritised.
There’s no set closing date, but early applications are encouraged as funding is limited. Contact SociaLink at collaboration@socialink.org.nz to have a chat.