Making your charitable giving have a bigger impact in our region
The Acorn Foundation enables generous people to make a bigger impact in their communities, by investing donations and distributing the returns to causes close to their hearts, year after year.
The generosity of our donors at a glance
Thanks to our donors, we have made the following impact to our community since 2003:
GIFTED TO OUR COMMUNITY
LOCAL CHARITIES SUPPORTED
PEOPLE CONNECTED TO CAUSES
Make a gift that keeps on giving
Unlike a one-off donation to a specific charity, gifts given through the Acorn Foundation’s Smarter Giving Model are invested in perpetuity, generating income that is distributed annually to community organisations in the Western Bay of Plenty. This means that a gift from a generous donor will continue to give back to causes close to their heart, for many years to come.
“I’ve always been community-minded so it seemed logical to set up a fund with Acorn. The fund keeps on earning interest, so you’re getting maximum value from one amount of money.”
– Ann Owen, Acorn donor
“The Acorn Foundation is a standout for its local focus on the special needs of our community, identifying individuals and truly worthwhile organisations that may deserve but otherwise never receive support. We’ve already seen some of the results of its work. Acorn will make this region a better place.”
– Gay & Murray Read-Smith, Acorn donors
“Giving through the Acorn Foundation is a wonderful way to help. Acorn ‘keeps its ear to the ground’ which we think is very important as we don’t really know who needs money the most. We have been happy in New Zealand and want to give something back.”
– Mary McGowan with husband, Roy, Acorn donors
Your giving. Your way.
Whether you’re an individual, a family, an existing Trust, a business, or a professional advisor, there are so many ways to get involved.
Give for tomorrow
Leave a lasting legacy in our community by creating your own named endowment fund or by donating to an existing Community Group fund. You can give during your lifetime or leave a gift in your Will. You can also transfer an existing Trust to Acorn or set up a Corporate Fund. Find out which option is best for you.
Give for today
Using our extensive community knowledge, the Acorn team can help facilitate immediate one-off gifts to charities for our individual and corporate donors, so you can see your gift at work in our region.
Give with others
Join or create a Giving Circle with other like-minded people or set up Workplace Giving in your organisation – and see the impact of your pooled donations in action.
Learn more about our Smarter Giving Model
Find out how to make your charitable giving go further.
News and updates
Ara Institute of Canterbury chooses the 2023 FAME Trust winner
Musical theatre student Charlotte Howe has been chosen as this year's 2023 Emerging Practitioner Award recipient from Ara Institute of Canterbury.
Local Angels donate more than $50,000 to charity
The Sally’s Angels Giving Circle has donated more than $50,000 to 12 charitable groups across the Western Bay of Plenty, via the Acorn Foundation.
Vital Update 2023 survey data is available for all to use
The research project ‘Vital Update – Tauranga 2023’ findings are now available. Thank you to all who participated in the survey and shared their voice.