Christchurch Foundation Welcomes Council Support to Strengthen Community Philanthropy
- Clive Antony
- Jun 4
- 3 min read
The Christchurch Foundation is pleased to announce that it is set to receive operational funding of $220,000 for the 2025-26 financial year, and the following year, subject to final approval. This support, from the Council's Capital Endowment Fund, will enable the Foundation to continue its mission of growing giving to benefit communities across Christchurch, Selwyn, and Waimakariri, both now and for generations to come.
Chair of The Christchurch Foundation, Dr Anake Goodall, says the Council’s backing is a significant vote of confidence in the Foundation’s renewed strategy and community-focused approach.
“This funding will allow us to maintain the momentum we have built through our recent organisational reset and sharpened strategic focus. It ensures we can continue to connect generosity to the needs of our region, grow our endowment funds, and support a wide range of community initiatives. With this support, we are well-positioned to help build a more resilient, inclusive, and vibrant future for all who call Greater Christchurch home.”
The Christchurch Foundation’s revised strategy, developed in consultation with sector partners, is centred on building sustainable endowment funds and supporting other for-purpose organisations. The Foundation distributed over $380,000 to the wider Christchurch community, and opened new funds supporting causes from lymphoedema treatment and ecological sustainability to female founders and the Muslim community, in the last year.
As the contribution is from the Capital Endowment Fund, this support is not funded by ratepayers.
Dr Goodall adds:
“Our role is to connect those who want to give with the greatest needs and opportunities in our region. This investment from Council helps ensure we can do that work with integrity, transparency, and impact.”
Council support is a key pillar in the Foundation’s plan to deliver on its vision of thriving, inclusive communities and a cherished environment for future generations. The Foundation will also continue to explore opportunities for public-private partnerships, support regional disaster preparedness, and act as a trusted steward for community generosity.
The Christchurch Foundation remains committed to supporting initiatives that make a lasting difference for all Cantabrians and welcomes new donors, partners, and community members to join its mission.
For further details or media enquiries, please contact:
Lynne Umbers, Interim General Manager
Christchurch Foundation
021 279 9722
About The Christchurch Foundation
The 2010/2011 earthquakes highlighted the need for a strategic approach to philanthropy in Christchurch.
Many cities, corporates and individuals from around the world wanted to gift to the city’s recovery. A mayoral fund and a central government initiative were launched to act as vehicles to enable this, but neither were developed with a long-term view.
The Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA) spent some time investigating options for various models and ownership. In 2015, the City established a Funding Steering Committee, who recommended to Council that a Community Foundation be established following a global trend where cities are providing an entity for the transparent management and facilitation of major gifting and business partnerships.
The Christchurch City Council approved the establishment of a Community Foundation in August 2016, and The Christchurch Foundation became a registered charity in September 2017. Since we started, we have facilitated over $15.3m of funds into our city, supporting our community through the Port Hills fires and March 15th Mosque shootings. The Christchurch Foundation currently has $2.8m under management; an effective doubling over this past year.
About Community Foundations
Through New Zealand's Community Foundations, over $70 million has been granted to New Zealand communities in the past 5 years. and there is over $260 million invested in endowment funds for the future and a pipeline of over $1 Billion in committed bequests.
With the invested endowment fund model protecting the original gifts, the potential good these gifts can do for the future is boundless. Community foundations serve as vital infrastructure for local philanthropy, providing tax-effective vehicles for giving and professional fund management that creates lasting impact. Throughout New Zealand, 18 community foundations are successfully connecting donors with local causes and building permanent endowment funds that will benefit communities for generations.
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