Our Approach to Giving

From small community initiatives through to larger systemic responses, we support a wide range of outcomes for social and environmental change

Our approach to giving Working in partnership Proactive philanthropy

OUR DONATION STREAMS

The Tindall Foundation (TTF) gives donations and support across the whole of New Zealand.

Local Donation Managers

Local Donation Managers work across the country distributing donations on our behalf in faith and regional communities as well as to environmental projects.

These are smaller donations from $500 to $15,000 for local, grassroots projects that are often based on long-term relationships.

Regional/National Donations

TTF Direct Donations sometimes referred to as Regional/National donations, are administered from our Auckland office. Our donations team processes online applications and assists organisations with their applications.

We support initiatives that are nationally significant, and sometimes smaller regional projects that have reach and the potential to grow. The donation range tends to be from $1000 up to $300,000 plus.

We see the value in supporting a wide range of approaches, from local grassroots giving to larger national initiatives that develop long-term social change and use innovation to deliver social impact.

While responding to applications for funds is central to what we do, TTF also works proactively, seeking out and developing initiatives that contribute to a stronger Aotearoa New Zealand (click here for an example of how we work proactively).

Beyond providing donations, we lend assistance in a wide range of ways — convening, building capacity, influencing, or leveraging donations. Much of our activity is built on long-term, high-trust relationships with shared goals.

More than money

TTF as a Convener and Connector

We often bring together people who are working on similar issues, or whom we might be able to support in working together for greater effect.

TTF as a Capacity Builder

We fund NFPWorks to deliver a specific programme of capacity building to community organisations. This is done annually by invitation. We also support a range of other initiatives that build capacity in the community sector.

Advocate and Awareness-Raiser

We use our communication channels to promote the work of community organisations. We frequently engage in behind-the-scenes influencing to effect change.

TTF as a Grower of Generosity

As an active participant in Philanthropy New Zealand, we support efforts to increase generosity and giving through initiatives like Community Foundations and volunteering.

TTF as a Leverager of Funds

We work collaboratively with other funders. Sometimes our funds will help encourage other funders to contribute to an organisation or project in order to achieve scale or sustainability. This may include government, local councils, and other family foundations or community funders.

TTF as an Impact Investor

We may invest in social enterprises or environmental initiatives by providing loans or taking equity. TTF also invests in building the capacity and capability of the impact investment sector.

We work in partnership with others in a high-trust way. We collaborate with other not-for-profits, other funders, local and central government, government agencies and departments, and businesses. These partnerships are often long term and are based on strong relationships, common understanding, aligned outcomes and shared goals. Generally we initiate
partnerships, but sometimes others ask us to be part of a group working collaboratively together. We value these partnerships and believe that working together can often lead to greater outcomes and positive change.

An example of working in partnership is our activity in the area of Gender Equality. Having listened to the rainbow community’s call for extra support, Kate Tindall Lum convened a workshop to bring the community together and discuss the issues it is facing. This is an ongoing relationship and discussion.

Kate also proactively approached rainbow organisations and community members, bringing them together with other funders to develop a project called Rainbow Ready. Co-funded by TTF, JR McKenzie and the Ministry of Youth Development, Rainbow Ready is being delivered by Ara Taiohi to build confidence and competency within organisations working with rainbow youth so that they can better serve gender diverse, trans and intersex young people.

Another project we are working on is Transforming Taitokerau for Good in partnership with Amokura — a consortium of seven iwi CEOs in Northland. We are working together to develop impact investment opportunities for the Northland region that align to the Amokura-developed He Tangata, He Whenua, He Oranga — The Māori Economic Growth Development Plan for Te Tai Tokerau.

We are supporting Amokura to work with specialists to develop impact investment opportunities that create social and environmental benefits as well as social returns. The consortium is creating their own investment proposals in the areas of revitalised communities, aquaculture, regeneration in agriculture and forestry, and tourism. This is a new way we are working in the regions to support local Māori development with the goal of increasing long-term sustainability for Māori, building the community’s capacity and increasing wellbeing.

At TTF we often work proactively. Having identified a need or an issue, we think about how and with whom we can best address this. Sometimes it means searching for the best people, organisations or groups to begin a discussion with. Often we convene a hui of experts, influencers or organisations to see how we can work to make positive change. Once we have a plan, we invite the relevant organisation to apply for a donation.

Working in this way requires high trust, strong relationships, common ground, shared understanding and innovative thinking.

One example of how we are working proactively and in partnership with others is the Mana Tamariki project, jointly funded by Vodafone NZ Foundation, now called Te Rourou, One Aotearoa Foundation. The two foundations are co-funding Oranga Tamariki (with the support of Auckland University) to develop a new way to help families with children and young people aged 8–12 years old with early and serious behavioural challenges and offending.

We helped pull together a group to work on this project and advocated for a new approach that would lead to a change in the system for supporting these young people and their families. A pilot project is running across four Oranga Tamariki sites in Auckland. Together with our partners, we’re advocating for this to be the new way that Oranga Tamariki works with this group of young people in future.