ASB Community Trust: Future-Proofing for the 21st Century

ASB Community Trust: Future-Proofing for the 21st Century

Prime Minister John Key officially opened ASB Community Trust’s offices at 50 Ponsonby Road, Auckland today.

He was joined by Auckland Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse, Ngati Whatua leaders, MPs and community leaders from across multiple sectors in Auckland in celebrating 25 years of community grant-making by the Trust, and the re-opening of historic Allendale House.

This year marks a milestone for the Trust, now in its 25th year of community grant-making.

“With the refurbishment of Allendale House we have future-proofed an iconic piece of Auckland’s architectural and cultural heritage for future generations” says Trust CEO Jennifer Gill.

“The Allendale House refurbishment will last for generations. It has all the features of a Victorian gentleman’s residence, sitting alongside a modern building designed to accommodate a dynamic, professional team. The new annex represents the cutting-edge of technologies and aesthetics for sustainable buildings in the 21st century,” she says.

“As the largest non-Government funder of heritage projects in Auckland and Northland, it was appropriate that we take responsibility for protecting a building that is such a significant part of the city’s architectural history,” Ms Gill says.

Salmon Reed Architects, renowned specialists in heritage architecture, led the project.

ASB Community Trust is the largest organisation of its type in Australasia. Its multi-million dollar community grants programme is funded from investments worth more than $1 billion and the Trust is recognised internationally for its cutting-edge, managed-risk, and high-engagement approach to programme development and grant-making.

“The Trust is just as much a part of the region’s heritage as Allendale House, and the long-term vision of an in-perpetuity trust drives everything we do,” says Trust Chair Ken Whitney.

“But, we are not just restoring buildings, up-grading facilities and providing equipment,” he says. “Rather, the Trust is taking the lead and actively engaging in community transformation and development through philanthropy and social enterprise - by focusing on programmes that break the cycles of under-achievement and isolation that can so debilitate modern societies.

“Our approach to the future is to collaborate and partner with governments – both local and central - family foundations, corporate social responsibility programs, civic organisations, even individuals with big ideas, to ensure that the various communities in Auckland and Northland are benefitting from philanthropy-led solutions.

“The diverse group of national, local and community leaders attending the ceremony know that the success of our nation depends on finding innovative and practical solutions to social and environmental problems and I believe that philanthropic organisations have a vital role to play in this quest,” Mr Whitney says.

About ASB Community Trust

ASB Community Trust makes grants to community groups and projects in Auckland and Northland. Using funds from the sale of its shareholding in the Auckland Savings Bank, the Trust has granted almost $800m since being formed in 1988.

Any incorporated or charitable trust in Auckland and Northland can apply for funds, provided they are a not-for-profit organisation.

For more details about applying, visit the Trust’s website: www.ASBCommunityTrust.org.nz

ENDS

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