Nikau Foundation exceeds $4.5 million in donations to the Wellington Region
Since its inception, Nikau Foundation has given over four and a half million dollars to over 300 charities across the
region – a milestone that they are proud to celebrate.
The community foundation held their 2017 grants event at the Academy of Fine Arts this week and donors in the audience
heard stories of how their generosity has translated into impact for the 79 charities that received grants this year.
One of the most inspiring was by David Hanna, Director of Wesley Community Action, who spoke about a new model of
engaging with those who traditionally used their foodbanks.
“The shame often associated with visiting foodbanks was creating a barrier to an authentic relationship with our
clients” explained David. “To disrupt this, we have created a broader Food Co-op model that allows users to volunteer
with Wesley’s poverty-reduction programmes so they feel they are giving back rather, than just benefitting from charity.
It has proved so popular, that the original programme in Cannons Creek has grown to over nine sites throughout the
region”
Wesley Community Action Director David Hanna speaking to the crowd at the event
Nikau Foundation General Manager Louise Parkin added “The work that Wesley are doing in the region is just the type of
activity that we are proud to support through our annual grants round. While $4.5m is a great milestone we are eager to
do more.”
The Foundation would welcome enquiries from generous Wellingtonians who want to do something tangible to strengthen our
local communities. Any donation is pooled and invested in perpetuity with the interest being distributed to charities
across the region.
-Ends-