Four Arts Charities Brush up for the Funding Network

Four Arts Charities Brush up for the Funding Network

Four unique charities, each with an arts twist, are brushing up their skills ahead of The Funding Network’s (TFN) next Auckland event.

To be held at AUT on Wednesday, 16 March, the fourth TFN crowdfunding event will focus on “arts intervention” social change projects and charities. www.thefundingnetwork.org.nz

The three previous Funding Network events in Auckland and Wellington raised more than $250,000 for 12 charities, with dozens of generous Kiwis pledging amounts ranging from $100 to $5,000. The charities pitching this time are:

Mixit – are a multi-cultural platform where young people with refugee backgrounds mix it up with local and migrant youth. Mixit uses dance, drama, music and aerial circus to help increase confidence, self-expression and communication skills. With amazing results, despite being run on the smell of an oily rag, Mixit are aiming to raise funds from TFN to deliver another of their programmes.

www.mixit.co.nz

Māpura Studios - an accessible, inclusive creative space offering innovative, person-centred visual arts learning and art therapy programmes. TFN funding will support Mapura to deliver their Stroke Art Therapy Programme, which assists the healing process from the trauma of stroke. This programme has previously been found by researchers at the University of Auckland to have “significant benefit” for participants.

www.mapurastudios.org.nz/art-therapy-after-stroke

Mind Over Manner - a specialist workshop designed to encourage better communication for individuals who experience sensory processing differences or alternate cognitive responses. The team works with theatre practitioners to offer constructive techniques for families and communities to dissolve anxiety and behavioral problems. TFN funding will support delivery of their programme which in turn will support families and individuals with cognitive differences such as Autism, Aspergers or Dyspraxia, reassuring parents they are not alone and also preventing youth alienation.

www.mindovermanner.co.nz

The Circability Trust – takes people to circus school! Professional circus practitioners offer inclusive circus programmes for all ages and abilities, with a focus on disabled people, to build confidence, social inclusion and achievement. Circability Central is based in the former Campbell Free Kindergarten in Victoria Park where they deliver social arts programmes. The funding raised from TFN will make a considerable difference to helping Circability deliver their programme which shows positive physical, psychological and social impact.

www.communitycircus.co.nz

“These are four fantastic organisations delivering strong creative and artistic programmes to help generate social benefits,” says Hilary Sumpter, CEO of Auckland Communities Foundation which helps run The Funding Network, with support from Philanthropy New Zealand.

“For many people the work these organisations are doing will resonate for someone they know. The Funding Network can give them a fun and rewarding crowdfunding platform to tell people what they are all achieving using artistic innovation to break down barriers.”

“TFN’s aim is to support small to medium-sized organisations, for which $10,000 would make a genuinely useful contribution,” says Sumpter.

Often described as “Dragon’s Den for charities”, The Funding Network was launched in London in 2002 by philanthropist and art dealer Dr Frederick Mulder. It has since spread around the world, with more than 150 TFN events held, 750 charities supported and at least NZD $13 million raised.

Dr Mulder, who came to New Zealand for the first event in September 2014, says The Funding Network aims to democratise philanthropy by providing an attractive and easy way in for new givers.

“The environment we create inspires people to raise more as a group than they could as individuals,” says Dr Mulder. “It also encourages people to give more than just money. Our guests hear about new solutions to community issues, they ask questions, and then they pledge support to social entrepreneurs who have big ideas but limited resources.”

The Macquarie Group Foundation and Macquarie Private Wealth New Zealand are key supporters of The Funding Network in New Zealand. www.macquarie.com/nz/about/community

ENDS

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