272 charitable organisations and scholarship programmes will benefit from this year’s Acorn Foundation distributions, marking a 10% increase in endowment giving and almost $20m in community funding since Acorn’s inception in 2003.

Acorn Foundation CEO Lori Luke said the number of charitable organisations and scholarship programmes receiving funding this year is 20% higher than last year, including 30 organisations which are first-time recipients in 2024.

”Our ability to give back to this region is thanks to the generosity of our incredible donors. Our donors are enabling us to create a lasting impact that will ripple across the region for generations to come.”

Applications received for Acorn’s unrestricted grants increased by 40% this year, reflecting the funding challenges faced by the community sector in 2024. Applications are evaluated based on Acorn’s priorities, which are approved each year by the Board based on the needs that the staff and Distributions Committee identify.

This year’s priorities included a specific focus on those in the community with disabilities and their caregivers.

”These groups were highlighted as particularly vulnerable in the Vital Update – Tauranga 2023 research,” explained Luke.

“Acorn was able to support organisations doing excellent work with locals with physical, intellectual and learning differences.

”The annual distributions include donations from the Acorn Vital Impact Fund, which focuses on areas of greatest need in the Western Bay of Plenty.

”With ongoing concerns about residents’ access to food due to cost-of-living issues, this year’s Acorn’s Vital Impact Fund was targeted specifically towards organisations working in the food security space,” said Luke.

The Vital Impact Fund provided grants to seven different organisations which cover a range of food support, including:

• Tauranga Community Foodbank

• Good Neighbour

• Super Support

• The Hub Te Puke

• Under the Stars

• Ōtūmoetai Social Supermarket

• Kura Kai

Super Support - a food security collaboration between Tauranga Foodbank, Good Neighbour, AgeConcern, Here to Help u, Bay Financial Mentors and Tauranga City Council - was an easy application to approve in this year’s distribution round.

“We have an increasing concern about the affordability of food for the renting elderly,” explained Luke.

“Super Support provides a free service of pre-cooked meals, basic pantry supplies and wrap-around support directly for those over 65′s who are finding it difficult to afford healthy food.

Tanya Smith of Age Concern said, “What we have seen and heard is, if older residents are struggling with dental expenses, health costs, rent, and food price rises with no income other than superannuation, purchasing food is on the bottom of their list.

”Acorn Foundation donors support the community via a range of ways, including through gifts in wills and living giving, where a 33% tax credit is available.

Called endowment, or legacy, giving, the original gift is invested, and a portion of the investment returns are distributed to causes or organisations selected by Acorn donors.

Year after year, the foundation supports charities that have been named, causes that have been selected, and allocates unrestricted funds through the volunteer Distributions Committee based on applications received.

”Endowment giving reached $2.5 million this year, up 10%, providing phenomenal, ongoing support to the local region,” says Lori.

Acorn donor Noeline Campbell said it’s about enduring giving.

”If you set up an endowment fund with Acorn, it will be there after you have died. Income will be generated to fund those charities you supported when you were alive.

“You get to experience the joy of giving during your lifetime, and you know that it will continue to have an increasing effect long after you have gone. Isn’t that wonderful?”

Acorn Foundation legacy giving manager Campbell Higgins said with September being Wills Month, it is a great time to consider reaching out to Acorn to discuss leaving a gift in your will to celebrate the causes or organisations that matter most to you.

”It is such a privilege for our team to work with Acorn’s fantastic donors, supporters and volunteers whose generosity has enabled the Acorn Foundation to make this significant impact on the Western Bay of Plenty today and to build an enduring legacy for tomorrow.

“We hope more and more locals see the unique benefits this type of giving can provide to charitable organisations across the region.

“We’d love to speak to them about the causes that are closest to their hearts.”

Find out more at: www.acornfoundation.org.nz