The significant growth in Acorn Foundation distributions over the past year to more than $1.7 million has been driven primarily by the resettlements of trusts and an increase in local business support for charitable organisations, says general manager Lori Luke.
Including the latest contributions, Acorn donors have now cumulatively distributed more than $8.3 million since 2003 to causes in the region. Luke said 157 charitable organisations across New Zealand – with a strong focus in the WBOP – have received grants throughout the year. Distributions outside the Western Bay of Plenty have been specified in donor wishes.
“These community contributions come from estates, living gifts, trust resettlements, Community Group funds, Giving Circles and Workplace Giving programmes,” said Luke.
Read: Acorn Foundation distributions increase 50% this year
“Our team truly appreciates the opportunity to make these distributions on behalf of our donors who have such a big heart for our community. The recipients that have been selected this year provide essential services to our region, and we are delighted that we can help our donors contribute to their efforts.”
This year, the addition of seven Bob and Joy Owens Scholarships that have moved to Acorn via the resettlement of the Owens Charitable Trust and two new scholarships for students at the University of Waikato Tauranga campus, means that over $310,000 will be paid out via scholarship and award programmes.
With such a strong increase in distributions relative to a year ago, we know that the Acorn Foundation is making a significant difference to the lives of people here in the Western Bay of Plenty.” – Lesley Jensen
Over the years, 266 charities have been supported by Acorn donors. Notable recipients this year include Omanu Surf Lifesaving Club, which has received over $43,000 from the Karen Pensabene Fund, and Waipuna Hospice, which has received more than $104,000 from the contributions of 11 different donor funds. With local charitable organisations impacted by the effects of Covid-19, both from a reduction in funding available and in an increase in service demand, Acorn say they appreciate donors more than than ever.
The Salvation Army’s Wendy Lobb said the organisation continued to be humbled and grateful for the funds, which she said were vital in assisting in its frontline work.
“And in particular this year, knowing these funds provide us with the opportunity to add the much-needed resource of dedicated peer support to our team working in the addictions space in Tauranga,” she said.
Varied donor support
Although Acorn is well-known for receiving gifts via endowment funds in wills, there are also a number of other ways that their donors support the community. Craigs Investment Partners donated $150,000 last Christmas, which Acorn distributed to organisations across New Zealand on their behalf, and Craigs, KPMG and BOP Regional Council have all established Workplace Giving programmes for their staff.
The recipients that have been selected this year provide essential services to our region, and we are delighted that we can help our donors contribute to their efforts.” – Lori Luke
Other local contributions this year included: employees and partners at Cooney Lees Morgan have long raised money for their corporate fund; ASB Tauranga contributed money to help Good Neighbour buy new equipment; TECT beneficiaries have donated rebates worth more than $68,000 to the Acorn Vital Impact Fund over the past two years; and many local supporters contributed to the Covid-19 Rapid Response Fund to help organisations providing vital support during the lockdown. In addition, dozens of regular givers donate to the more than 40 Community Group funds managed by Acorn, helping those organisations move towards sustainable long-term funding.
Acorn Foundation chair Lesley Jensen said Acorn appreciated the support from donors. “With such a strong increase in distributions relative to a year ago, we know that the Acorn Foundation is making a significant difference to the lives of people here in the Western Bay of Plenty. We are honoured to represent our donors.”
