MEDIA RELEASE
5 May 2008
Mazda Foundation Grants Wishes for Community Projects
Hundreds of financially disadvantaged children will have warm and dry feet this winter, thanks to a grant from the Mazda
Foundation to the KidsCan Shoes for Kids programme.
The $5,000 grant was one of twelve grants totalling $78,000 handed out by the Mazda Foundation in its latest funding
round.
Carl Sunderland, KidsCan Charitable Trust spokesperson said the organisation was extremely grateful for further support
from the Mazda Foundation, which supported its Raincoats for Kids programme in 2007.
“The Shoes for Kids programme provides underprivileged children with shoes, a necessity which is often taken for
granted. An alarming number of children around New Zealand attend school in winter with no shoes, or with shoes that are
in an appalling condition.
“This grant will provide quality footwear and two pairs of socks to 250 underprivileged children – keeping their little
feet warm and dry throughout winter, and boosting their self-esteem.”
The largest grant of $24,000 was gifted to the Performing Arts Competition Association of New Zealand (PACANZ). This is
the third consecutive year the Mazda Foundation has funded PACANZ, once again providing tuition scholarships for twelve
winners and finalists in the 2008 National Young Performer Awards.
Annette Johnstone, PACANZ executive officer, said the Mazda Foundation tuition scholarships provide the financial
support New Zealand’s young performers need to further their careers.
“Violinist Amalia Hall, who won the Instrumental category in last year’s awards, used her Mazda Foundation tuition
scholarship to attend auditions for six music schools in the US in February. She has since been accepted into the most
prestigious, the Curtis Institute, and will commence her studies there this year along with some of the world’s most
talented musicians.”
Among the other successful applications was the funding of a guide dog, musical equipment to promote self esteem among
at-risk youth, equipment for a youth development institute, financial assistance to enable disabled students to attend
the Riding-for-the-Disabled programme, as well as native tree gardens and sun-shielding sail cloths for primary schools.
Andrew Clearwater, Mazda Foundation chairman, said there are a number of community projects that struggle to get off the
ground as they often don’t fulfil the criteria of many funding bodies.
“The Mazda Foundation has been set up to support a range of projects – be it larger national programmes, smaller
community projects or even assistance for individuals.
“In the seven rounds of funding since the Mazda Foundation was launched two years ago we have distributed over half a
million dollars to more than 100 individuals and organisations throughout New Zealand.”
There are three closing dates each year for submissions to the Mazda Foundation; 31st March, 30th June and 30th
September. For more information or to register for a grant people should visit www.mazdafoundation.org.nz
About the Mazda Foundation: www.mazdafoundation.org.nz
The Mazda Foundation is a charitable trust that provides assistance to a broad cross – section of charitable entities
and causes throughout New Zealand.
Submissions are received from the public and three rounds of funding are carried out each year to assist individuals and
organisations with environmental, educational, skills development, cultural and community projects.
The Mazda Foundation Trust is funded through sales of new Mazda vehicles, support from Mazda dealers throughout the
country as well as dedicated fundraising activity by Mazda New Zealand.
Grants awarded for application period ended 31 March 2008
Organisation Location Amount
Aotea Youth Symphony National programme $1,929.38
Motu Moana Green Bay Scout Group Green Bay, Auckland $4,154.96
One Tree Point School One Tree Point, Northland $1,973.16
Rutherford Primary School Te Atatu, Auckland $5,000.00
CCS Disabililty Action Waitaki District $2,000.00
KidsCan Charitable Trust National programme $5,000.00
Bayview School Glenfield, Auckland $3,792.85
Ruapehu College Ohakune $2,500.00
The Wellington Boys & Girls Institute Wellington Central $8,999.00
Whangaroa College Kaeo, Northland $6,495.00
Royal NZ Foundation of the Blind National Programme $12,500.00
Performing Arts Assoc. NZ Inc Tauranga $24,000.00
ENDS