Philanthropy News Winter 2014

News & EventsThe next big thingBill Kermode, the newly appointed CEO of the Next Foundation.Once the idea of making the switch from running a privatecompany investment fund to running a philanthropicfoundation was planted in Bill Kermode’s mind he found ithard to ignore.“I wasn’t looking for a new role, but the more I understoodwhat the Next Foundation was about, the more I realised howclosely related it was to what I have been doing,” says thenewly appointed CEO of the Next Foundation who has spentthe last 20 years as a founding director of Direct Capital.During that time Direct Capital – which has been a sponsorof Philanthropy New Zealand conferences – has investedmore than $800 million in 60 privately owned companies.“Many of the principles are the same: ensuring the projectswe support have agreed and measurable outputs and arestructured for success.”The Next Foundation was launched in March and willspend $100 million over the next 10 years to support highimpact,New Zealand-based environmental and educationprojects.It has been set up by Kerikeri couple Neal and AnnettePlowman, who have already donated substantial sums ofmoney to a range of projects, including conservation projectsin the Abel Tasman National Park and on Rotoroa Island in theHauraki Gulf.The foundation is something of a departure for the NewZealand philanthropic sector because it will “spend down” itsassets over the next 10 years, rather than investing them anddistributing grants in perpetuity from the interest.Bill will start his new job on 1 July. In the meantime, he’sstarted preparing by reading widely and he intends to talk withexperienced philanthropists such as Sir Stephen Tindall.“I’ve begun the learning process and I’m looking forward tohelping make a positive difference in New Zealand.”The Next Foundation is now accepting expressions ofinterest from New Zealand organisations looking for fundingfor high-impact environmental or educational projects.The closing date for applications is 5 July.For more information go to www.nextfoundation.org.nzPhilanthropy in the newsPhilanthropy has been enjoying ahigh profile in the media, with coverstories appearing in two nationalmagazines in the last few months.Journalist Karl du Fresneinterviewed several PhilanthropyNew Zealand staff and members –including chief executive Liz Gibbsand board chair Kate Frykberg – inhis comprehensive 10-page articleon the state of philanthropy inNew Zealand which appeared inThe Listener in May. Others interviewed included Sir StephenTindall and Chris Liddell, chair of the Next Foundation.Kate Frykberg also featured in a cover story aboutphilanthropy and the psychology of wealth that appeared inNorth & South in April. The article asked the slightly provocativequestion “Does money make you mean?” However, for mostof those interviewed, the answer to that question was anoverwhelming “No”.Calendar of events18 June Canterbury Recovery Funders’ Network27 June Strong, Savvy, Successful GrantmakingGenevieve Timmons, Christchurch1 July Strong, Savvy, Successful GrantmakingGenevieve Timmons, Wellington3 July Strong, Savvy, Successful GrantmakingGenevieve Timmons, Auckland4 July Strong, Savvy, Successful GrantmakingGenevieve Timmons, Hamilton5 & 6 August Governance and Investment workshopWellington3 September Wellington Funders’ Network10 September Auckland Funders’ Network8 October Canterbury Recovery Funders’Network3 December Auckland Funders’ Network10 December Wellington Funders’ NetworkNo:63 Winter 2014 5