Nikau Foundation

Last week, we were so delighted to connect with donors, for-purpose organisations and locals who are passionate about our communities at our ‘in conversation with’ event hosted at Ngā Manu Nature Reserve.     This year, more than ever, we know that philanthropy is not a ‘nice to have’, that generosity is the lifeblood of our communities and that building reliable funding streams is pivotal in aiding the future resilience of our communities.     But we also know that nurturing connection, encouraging conversation and bringing our communities together is an important part of effecting positive change.    We were so delighted to welcome Pat Stuart, Chair of the Ngā Manu Trust, Margaret Nixon, Nikau Foundation donor and Denis Wood, Founder of The Shed Project to join us in a conversation about generosity and its role in their mahi, and their passions and aspirations for our community.  A big thank you to Kāpiti Coast Deputy Mayor, Lawrence Kirby for hosting such an inspiring and energetic conversation.  

We were so delighted to visit the lovely crew at L'Arche Kāpiti a few weeks ago. With a kaupapa to celebrate the unique value of every person and to nurture a more diverse, humane and loving society, L’Arche provides housing and support services to adults with intellectual disabilities and serves many people in the wider community by offering a place of belonging and growth. Located in Paraparaumu, L’Arche’s site spans seven suburban sections. To enhance the beauty around the homes, involve the community in the cultivation of fruit and vegetables, and to create moments of joy for the residents, L’Arche embarked on a garden development project. Hoping to upscale their gardens, increase the size of their nursery and fruit trees, and continue the development of their irrigation systems, they sought funding support from Nikau earlier this year. For L’Arche, securing this funding meant they could begin construction of a large, robust nursery area so they can upscale propagation of their vegetable seedlings as well as natives and other plants, and develop four new garden beds. “The creation of the new garden beds has already built social capital, with a range of people being involved in removing the original grass, hoeing the land, placing retaining blockwork, distributing and ‘working in’ of good quality soil, planting fruit trees and berries, and appropriate mulching,” says Garden Co-ordinator, Ingrid Shepherd. “As the trees continue to grow and the garden beds are gradually populated with other edible plants and flowers, we anticipate that they will nurture joy and mental health, both by facilitating community and in the process of gardening; enhance the beauty around the homes; and produce ‘spray-free’ fruit and vegetables that can be used in the homes and donated to those in need in the local community via the organisations we partner with - St Vincent de Paul, Mary's Guest House, St Luke's Friday Foodshare and Cancer Society.” Ka rawe, L’Arche Kāpiti! We are so delighted to help your mahi to grow (literally!)

There are many words you may associate with philanthropy.   ‘Tension’ is probably not one of them.   However, it is something that is frequently experienced in the for-purpose sector, as we oscillate between the impact we want to make and the impact we can deliver, the resources we have and the resources we need, the changing needs of our communities and our ability to respond.   Although the word has inherently negative connotations, tension also presents significant opportunities, creating powerful steppingstones for progression, improved efficiency, and greater efficacy.   Now 30-years into our story, Community Foundations throughout Aotearoa New Zealand, like Nikau, are in their adolescence and experiencing the tension that comes with this key stage.   However, this isn’t a bad thing.   By leaning into these tension-rooted conversations, we have the opportunity to affirm our own identities and the critical role we have in driving sustainable community transformation.     Nikau’s Marketing and Communications Manager, Maddie McLeod explores in the latest piece on Alliance magazine.

We were so delighted to connect with our fellow community foundations, change-makers and social do-gooders at this year's Community Foundations of Aotearoa New Zealand conference - 'Empowering Communities - Te whakamana i ngā hapori.'    This was a transformative opportunity to share knowledge and ideas, explore the many opportunities for strategic, future-focused philanthropy and learn more about empowering our communities through effective funding practices. A big thank you to the team at CFANZ - Eleanor Cater, Ellen Miles and Arron Perriam for organising such an inspiring and energetic few days.

Last week, Nikau Foundation Executive Director, Em Lewis was delighted to join Melissa Smith, Chief Executive of CCS Disability Action, Matt Reid, Chief Executive of Barnardos Aotearoa and Andrew Austin from Jarden Wealth to discuss bequests, the trends we are seeing and immense opportunity the intergenerational wealth transfer has for our communities, and to get an early look at the NZ Bequest Report written by John McLeod.   A big thank you for Jarden Wealth for hosting such an inspiring, energetic and insightful panel conversation.

Investing in a Parkinson's disease-free future.    Recent studies show that over 13,000 Kiwis are currently living with Parkinson’s disease. Others predict that 1 in 37 people alive today will one day be diagnosed with it during their lifetime. It is the second most common neurological condition and also the fastest growing. These are scary statistics. But, Cure Parkinson's NZ is here to change them.   “It is our mission to find a cure for Parkinson’s - simple as that,” says Cure Parkinson’s NZ CEO, Daniel McGowan, PhD, MInstD. “Although this is a big dream, we believe we can do it through crucial research, advocacy, community awareness and education, and lobbying for legislative change.”     “Although there is currently no cure for Parkinson’s disease, there is good reason for hope owing to the progress being made in research,” says Daniel. Noting that research comes at a cost, Cure Parkinson’s NZ wanted to take strategic steps to maximise their fundraising, amplify the impact of donations and mobilise Kiwis in the fight against Parkinson’s disease. In mid-2024, they decided to establish the Cure Parkinson’s NZ Wellington Fund with Nikau Foundation. The fund, which is designed to deliver reliable, long-term funding, will benefit the organisation in many ways.      “There are so many crucial aspects that will contribute to finding a cure - from groundbreaking research to advocacy, awareness and education. The Cure Parkinson’s NZ Wellington Fund will ensure that sustainable funding is available to support all aspects of Cure Parkinson’s NZ’s work,” says Daniel. To find out more about the Cure Parkinson’s NZ Wellington Fund or to make a meaningful contribution to a world without Parkinson's, click below.  

We were so sorry to hear about the imminent closure of Dave Letele's BBM Community Kitchen and Foodshare service last week.       We were also particularly saddened by his heartfelt statement.       His words, ‘it's not just us’ reflect so many of the struggles we are seeing in our communities.       These are hard times.       We are seeing this first-hand.       Through the high volume of funding applications we are receiving (this year, over 450 from across Te Upoko-o-te-Ika-a-Māui, the Greater Wellington region).       The conversations we are having.       The type of expenses that are being requested.       And the feedback we are getting.       As a funder, there are so many issues we can’t solve.        But, there is also a lot that we CAN do.      For instance:     ✅ We CAN listen to our communities to ensure we are funding in ways that are most helpful.       ✅ We can reflect on our processes to ensure we are removing barriers for grant-seekers.      ✅ We can consider the environment in which we are funding.      ✅ We can trust our communities.      And, most importantly, we can lean in.       This year, with demand for funding far outweighing supply, the importance of having a multi-layered decision-making framework was highlighted.       With so many organisations struggling, and their books reflecting just that, it was even more important that we considered financials solely as one aspect of the decision-making process, rather than the ‘be all and end all.’      Because although due diligence is really important, a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ cannot just be informed by the financials.      After all, there is more to an organisation than what the numbers are saying - particularly in the current economic climate.     So, if the financials are just one part of the puzzle, what are the other parts?      ✅ Meaningful conversation – we focus on getting to know the organisation. What is their kaupapa? What is their ‘why’? What does their journey look like? This allows us to lift an organisation’s story off a page, fill gaps, develop an idea of why the financials look like they do, and get a more three-dimensional idea of where they are at.       ✅ Connection with volunteers – based throughout Te Upoko-o-te-Ika-a-Māui, the Greater Wellington region, Nikau’s local volunteers help to connect us to local mahi and share challenges happening on a hyper-local level. They offer insights we might not have, add important additional context and advise on local need.     ✅ Overlaying other frameworks – at Nikau, we use the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals as an additional touchpoint. Although they don’t dictate who gets funding, they do offer another point of reference that helps to make an impact locally while thinking globally.       In the current economic climate, we know there is a lot we cannot do.       But by focusing on what we can, we are helping to support our communities in meaningful ways even at the most challenging of times.

And just like that...we are back to a full Nikau team!* Our lovely Executive Director, Em Lewis is back from parental leave and is getting back into the swing of things. A big THANK YOU to Nikau CFO, Denisa Calian for taking on the role of Acting ED while she was away. We couldn't ask for someone better to step into the role and keep our Nikau mahi and vision ticking over the last few months. *not shown - Robyn, our amazing Accountant, who was working from home.

We made a typo - oops. Although we contemplated deleting this to fix it, we felt that 'warts and all', this needed to be said and shared. So.... "We've got an 'ick' when it COMES TO funding. And we're saying that, as a funder." That's better.

We’ve got an ‘ick’ when it comes to funding.     And, we are saying that...as a funder. That 'ick' is not to do with funding itself.     Funding is great.     It allows so many opportunities for our communities.    It allows transformative projects to go ahead.     And it really can be the difference between things happening and, well...not happening.     Our ‘ick’ is to do with funding processes.    Specifically, with how many of them add to the burden of applying.   Y’know, the hard-to-use forms.     The confusing comms.     The huge amount of information required.    At Nikau, it is always our goal to be part of the solution for not-for-profits, not the problem.    Which is why it’s so crucial that we keep doing things that are effective and stop doing things that aren’t.     Feedback, connection and conversation are pivotal to being able to do this.    If we don’t hear it (even when it’s hard to hear), we can’t make it better.     But, when you’re a funder and you’re asking for feedback from organisations you’re funding or may fund in future...there’s a bit of a problem.     Because can you really say what you think to a funder??    Isn’t that a bit awkward?    Were organisations really, truly going to say what was on their mind to our face?    Noting this barrier, we thought about ways we could ensure we were getting the honest feedback we needed to create the best possible funding experience.     Enter our secret feedback space, which is linked on our grants feedback form.   It’s a non-mandatory one-field form, which acts as a space for organisations to speak their truths, voice their pain points and offer ideas anonymously.     There are no names.    No organisation names.     No tracking.    Just space to say what they may otherwise may not.     It’s one of the ways we aim to improve how we work and amplify the voices of the not-for-profit sector.