People making a difference in our district

• Every two weeks, the Beacon publishes a feature dedicated to showcasing the invaluable work of various local charitable organisations with the aim of raising awareness and appreciation for the contribution they and their volunteers make in the Eastern Bay.

THIS week we shine a light on Eastern Bay Community Foundation

• Who are they and what do they do?

The Eastern Bay Community Foundation was first launched in Ōpōtiki in 2009 and then expanded to include the Eastern Bay region in 2013.

The foundation is overseen by a board of trustees, with the day-to-day operations managed by three paid part-time staff.

The foundation has an office at 15 George Street, Whakatāne.

The foundation aims to grow community impact through transformational, sustainable, bold and meaningful change.

Donors and supporters take many forms, from the philanthropic bequests of amazing individuals who leave part of their estate to the foundation, to the local businessperson who supports a scholarship or enterprise fund.

The foundation’s role is to help local people by providing a trusted organisation that facilitates their generosity and community mindedness to reach the people and places they want it to.

It provides an opportunity for locals to create a long-term fund in their name that helps local charities or causes they are passionate about.

A donor donates an amount, stating the specific charity or cause they want the money to go to. The original gift is invested and will grow over time with the income (interest) from the fund given to causes identified and will support the community forever.

The foundation can help donors with named endowment funds, community endowment funds, bequests, scholarships, regular giving and trust transfers.

• Who do they help?

The foundation supports arts programmes, educational scholarships, heritage and environmental projects, support for charitable organisations and champions excellence in care and support standards.

The causes supported vary as they are driven entirely by the wishes of the donors.

They make annual grants totalling about $100,000 to causes chosen by local individuals and families, and that amount continues to grow every year.

As the foundation grows, they see a real meaningful impact at ground level for many people and organisations.

• What impact have they had?

Donors love the fact that they can direct their giving on an ongoing basis to areas of the Eastern Bay that they care about; local giving for local causes.

Charities in receipt of these regular donations report that this predictable regular income sets the baseline for all they do in a way that is reliably helpful year in and year out.

The overwhelming response the foundation gets from donors is a feeling of gratitude that they can leave a long-lasting and sustainable donation that they know is genuinely going to support the Eastern Bay – a place they love.

• How can I help?

For those who want to be more well-considered in regards to how they donate to charitable causes, contact the foundation at 021 226 336 or [email protected] or visit www.easternbaycommunityfoundation.nz

• To be considered for this feature, or learn more about charitable initiatives in the community, visit EBOP Community Network Facebook page, website www.tent.org.nz or email [email protected]