Read our Conference Report online. - Philanthropy New Zealand

Volunteer Michelle Wanwimolruk and
Louise Edwards of the Canterbury Community Trust
Margot McCool and Nicky Wilkins
of the Acorn Foundation
Caren Rangi, Eastern & Central Community Trust with
Precious Clark of ASB Community Trust
6
ADVOCACY
Hugh Green Foundation Manager Adrienne Thurston was
particularly influenced by Kevin Murphy’s call to agitate. As a
result, she has been discussing with others in the Canterbury
Recovery Funding Network the need to make a stand to ensure
people are treated equally in Canterbury.
“This is exactly what we should be doing… Making a stand
together.”
CATALYTIC & STRATEGIC PHILANTHROPY
The West Coast Community Trust is reconsidering its approach
to funding decisions after hearing how the JR McKenzie Trust
decided to become more strategic in its funding.
“I thought it was a major change, very courageous, and it made
me think a lot about how we do things,” said Chief Executive
Angela Keenan. She plans to “plant a little seed” for similar
changes at the Trust’s next strategic review.
Opening talks from Sir Stephen Tindall and US grantmaker Emily
Tow Jackson on how their respective family foundations take a
strategic approach to their philanthropy were a big influence, as
was the chance to network with other Canterbury funders, said
Louise Edwards of the Canterbury Community Trust.
“Canterbury is at a historic point in time, and it’s about
making sure we take up our leadership responsibilities and
connect with other funders in a more collaborative way.”
EVALUATION
The Hugh Green Foundation will be doing more evaluation as a
result of the Kate McKegg workshop she attended, said Adrienne
Thurston.
“At the moment we don’t strongly evaluate the real stories.
We look at how many people turned up to that therapy
session, or how many youth are now being mentored. But it’s
what’s different in their lives from going along. It’s not how
many, it’s what happening. So that’s definitely something
we’ll take away.”
MAORI & PHILANTHROPY
The Canterbury Community Trust is also examining how it
engages with Maori community groups, particularly around its
application process, after Chief Executive Louise Edwards saw
Che Wilson’s presentation on Maori and philanthropy. She said
the Trust also planned to work more closely with South Island
Iwi, Ngai Tahu, after meeting a representative at the conference.
STRATEGY & SELF REVIEW
For some, the conference reinforced that they were heading in
the right direction.
“I think it’s really reinforced the direction the Trust is going
in around high engagement & strategic philanthropy: that it
is the way this world is going and that it is the right thing to
do.” Jennifer Gill, ASB Community Trust.
“I think it’s been a reassurance to us that we are on the
right track. We go out there and think ‘are there areas in the
community we can help?” Sir Eion Edgar, Central Lakes Trust.
BUILDING COMMUNITY OVER DINNER
When Trust Waikato’s Chief Executive Bev Gatenby heard
chef Richard Till talk at the 2009 Philanthropy New Zealand
conference about two historic community dinners held in the
1800s, she was inspired. Four years later the community has
successfully run two large annual events called Dinner @ the
Domain, with the support of Trust Waikato. Bev said she would
“warmly recommend this kind of idea to people.
Bev Gatenby & Richard Till’s talk, HERE