Read more about our 2024 Grassroots Giving Fund recipients.

Since the turn of the century, Auckland Whale & Dolphin Safari have been out on the Hauraki Gulf / Tīkapa Moana as conservationists, researchers and for tourism. Now, they're giving back in perpetuity, via Auckland Foundation. Find out more about their giving journey.

In April 2024, ANZ Private, Auckland Foundation and Migrant Investor & Entrepreneur Association (MIEA) held an event at ANZ Bank.

The recipients of the first funding round from the Auckland Together Fund are announced. See all the recipients listed in this article.

Our 2023 Grassroots Giving grant recipients have been announced. Read more to see which amazing local organisations received grants this year.

The 2023 North Shore Fund recipients have been announced. Click into the article to see the amazing organisations that received the grants.

Auckland Foundation is proud to announce the addition of former All Black sensation, La'auli Sir Michael Jones as an ambassador for the foundation.

Migrant Investor & Entrepreneur Association (MIEA), a not-for-profit organisation by migrants for migrants hosted an event at ANZ, co-hosted by Auckland Foundation and ANZ Private.

In July 2023, Auckland Foundation brought together our community at The Northern Club for an evening of celebration. The event was a wonderful reflection of what Auckland Foundation has achieved so far and what our plans are for the future.

We are extremely grateful to have Helen Clark's knowledge and ambassadorship to champion the growth of the Foundation and help us support those most in need across Tāmaki Makaurau.

Auckland Foundation is proud to be administering the Daphne Gretta Mary Stevens Community Music Scholarship Fund again for 2022.

Auckland Foundation would like to acknowledge the passing of Lee Stevens and pay tribute to him.

Our 2022 North Shore Fund recipients have been announced. Click into the article to see the amazing work the organisations that received the grants are doing.

Our 2022 Grassroots Giving grant recipients have been announced. Click into the article to see the amazing work the local organisations that received the grants are doing.

The Outboard Boating Club Auckland has been a a pivotal part of the boating industry in Tāmaki Makaurau since the 1950's. Now, they're doing their part to ensure the Hauraki Gulf can be enjoyed by all, forever, by partnering with us as Gulf Guardians to help in the restoration of our beautiful TÄ«kapa Moana. Read more about the partnership here.

Totara Fund was started by a family who in the beginning wanted to support other families in their local community. It all started with some vouchers one Christmas. They've since grown to support numerous families around Tāmaki Makaurau, and have donated more than $100,000 total in the years since.

We profiled one of our founding corporate partners for our Gulf Guardians programme, Shieling Laboratories to hear more about who they are and why the regeneration of the Hauraki Gulf is so important to them.

Community Foundations of New Zealand have been delighted to team up with Dentons Kensington Swan team, to co-write this White Paper: Community Foundations - a new way of thinking about charity, philanthropy and working with clients. 

Next on our profile of Gulf Guardians projects, we spoke to Beth from Waiheke Resources Trust about their 'Love our Wetlands Waiheke' project in progress supported by Sustainable Business Network. 

We're profiling some of the amazing projects that our Gulf Guardians programme supports. Ngātaringa Eco-Corridor Te Hau Kapua/Devonport is a part of Sustainable Business Networks Million Metres' Streams Project.

Auckland Foundation is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2021 North Shore Fund to support those smaller but essential local organisations who are strengthening community networks.

This year's Grassroots Giving Programme Recipients have been announced. See the amazing community organisations for 2021 who have been provided funding by Auckland Foundation.

Communities without access to basic needs during lockdown. Auckland Foundation COVID-19 Community Response Fund seeks to inspire your generosity.

Peter Miles wrote this piece on the Auckland Foundations 'Saving our Treasured Waters' event for our Hauraki Gulf Regeneration Fund. The article was originally published in OBC's August 2021 edition Outboarder print magazine.

Guest writer and Trustee of Auckland Foundation, Ken Whitney writes about why he believes the Hauraki Gulf Regeneration Fund will play an important role in protecting our taonga.

Guest contributer and Auckland Foundation Trustee Doug Hanna reflects on a very personal journey to giving back.

CEO of YES Disability and guest writer Sonia Thursby reflects on the huge difference a small grant from Auckand Foundation's North Shore Fund has made to the youth with disabilities community.

Guest writer and Trustee of Auckland Foundation, Ken Whitney writes about his involvement with community granting, and the power of small gifts to make big changes. 

Helensville Women and Family Centre has been able to respond quickly to the increased pressures and stresses facing its community due to Covid-19, thanks to public generosity and a grant from Auckland Foundation's Covid-19 Community Response Fund.

AUT Development Manager and guest contributor Rachel Cleary writes about how finding a "tribe" within the philanthropic community has helped solidify her sense of belonging.

Guest writer Councillor Pippa Coom looks ahead at the emergency budget from Auckland Council, and how we can build a resilient, healthier, and prosperous Auckland for everyone.

Thanks to the generosity of Aucklanders and a grant from Auckland Foundation's Covid-19 Community Response Fund, vulnerable women in Tāmaki Makaurau have been able to continue receiving information, advice and support throughout the lockdown period.

Philanthropist and member of the Auckland Foundation family Penny Stevens writes about how a person can profoundly change your life, and put you on a journey of changing the lives of others in your community.

Guest writer and CEO of YES Disability, Sonia Thursby, looks back at how a lifelong friendship has shaped her community journey.

Executive Chair of Community Foundations New Zealand, Eleanor Cater reflects on our connection to place, and how we can affect change in the most local of ways.

Auckland Foundation Trustee and guest writer Qiujing Wong reflects on the opportunities for our communities in a post-COVID-19 world.

Guest writer and Trustee of Auckland Foundation, Mel Hewitson writes about her Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei community, and what it means to her.

Wanting to live in a country where child poverty doesn’t exist, a group of generous women are supporting mothers of young children who need help with life and parenting skills, so their kids can have a better beginning.

An initiative on Waiheke is working with local businesses to reduce and divert food waste from landfill.

An Auckland Women's Centre project offers single mums the opportunity to share and receive support from other single mums in a safe and non-judgemental environment.

Atawhai's incredible work with marginalised rangatahi to build resilience and improve their mental wellbeing was recently supported with a small grant - with life-changing results.

Auckland Zoo is a leading example of how staff can be a driving force for supporting impactful projects, through their establishment and continued involvement in the Auckland Zoo Conservation Fund.

Supported with a grant last year from the North Shore Fund, a social and friendship skills programme for children with autism on the North Shore has also helped strengthen relationships within those families and whānau.

A group of passionate women are helping student parents to continue with their tertiary education, by using their collective generosity to assist with childcare costs.

Volunteer-driven project The Reading Revolution is so much more than a literacy initiative.

Thanks to the generosity of others, 56 individuals and families were supported with energy bill costs to stay warm over winter last year.

Thanks to the generosity of an Auckland Foundation donor, a project to make Waiheke a more sustainable community is well underway.

Philanthropists Lee and Penny Stevens have been strong supporters of the arts sector, developing an 18-year bond with one in particular.

A group of passionate people have established the Auckland Regional Parks Legacy Fund to ensure that our region's stunning natural parks continue to be enjoyed for generations to come.

The 2019 recipient of the Daphne Gretta Mary Stevens Community Music Scholarship has been chosen.

A pilot programme has created a support network of 'women to women empowerment', thanks to a grant from the Grassroots Giving Programme.

An Orewa youth centre is providing much more than just a place for young people to hang out.

Looking for a way to give back to local charities as part of its annual conference, business events industry association Conferences and Incentives New Zealand (CINZ) decided to set up a fund under Auckland Foundation.

A Grassroots Giving grant has enabled Brainwave Trust Aotearoa to develop and deliver a pilot programme specifically to connect with whānau Māori.

Through its 'Building Learning Communities' project, Rise UP Trust works with whānau in South Auckland to be more engaged in their children's learning - and empower them to unlock their potential.

A young team of rugby league players have had the opportunity to travel for the first time, and take part in a national grassroots-sporting showpiece event, thanks to a grant from the North Shore Fund.

With help from a North Shore Fund grant, young people and adults with disabilities and special needs on the North Shore are building greater confidence and social interaction through the encouragement of creative self-expression.

Taking pre-loved essential baby items and redistributing them to families who are struggling financially, Grassroots Giving grant recipient Littlemore is helping parents to give their babies the best start in life - and encouraging families to think about sustainability and recycling.

A three-day forum supporting young refugee-background leaders has helped them build the skills and confidence to become advocates for themselves and their communities.

Thanks to a grant from Auckland Foundation's Grassroots Giving Programme, a playcentre is encouraging and supporting their little ones to be curious and discover more.

A chance listening to the radio led to Malcolm Wade hearing about Auckland Foundation and the community foundation model – and his interest was piqued.

When beloved colleague John Wadams passed away, his co-workers knew they wanted to honour the huge contribution he had made both to the company and the wider community.

A new baby is a time of joy and celebration – but it can also be a time of stress and anxiety for the parents-to-be. BabyStart is helping to remove some of that stress amongst vulnerable families, by providing items to ensure their newborn is kept safe and warm.

With an estimated 20,000 New Zealand childrenaffected by parental imprisonment, a group of volunteer female lawyers are giving their time to help incarcerated mothers to reconnect with their children.

A unique leadership programme that supports tamāhine to be powerful agents of change in their community is already making a huge difference for its first cohort.

A grant made by the North Shore Fund last year has meant 500 children in foster care can start off their school year being the proud owners of new lunch boxes and drink bottles.

Action Education offers programmes for disengaged and isolated young people – but with a difference.

Through support and training, Shakti are helping women and girls who have survived culturally-sanctioned violence to regain their independence and become active participants in their Auckland community.

Well-known stylist and mum of two Nora Swann is helping young girls to feel beautiful on the inside, as well as on the outside.

Thanks to a grant from the North Shore Fund, North Shore Group Riding for the Disabled have been able to purchase new horse 'Dream' - giving local children and adults with disabilities the opportunity to experience the joy of therapeutic horse riding.

Stalwart of the South Kaipara musical community, Daphne Stevens, realised a lifelong dream when she established a musical scholarship fund with Auckland Foundation earlier this year. And a 16 year old pianist has been named as the inaugural recipient.

Recently donors Lee and Penny Stevens' thoughts have turned to succession planning, and how their legacy - and the memory of Lee’s parents - will be looked after once they are gone.

Joy Whitley's bequest to Auckland Foundation means her final wishes will endure – and that families can have hope for the future.

Some prominent locals are supporting a new charitable fund focusing on the North Shore.

With now more than 220 ethnic groups living in the city, how do we support our refugee and migrant youth communities as they adjust to life as Aucklanders?

Thanks to a Grassroots Giving grant, SOUL is helping girls and young women to become 'prejudice proof'.

Education plays such an important role in life – but not all of us are lucky enough to experience a university education.

The ability to communicate in our day-to-day lives is something that most of us take for granted.

Thinking about your mortality can be confronting – but for Dick Hubbard, a motorbike accident in the Himalayas was the moment that ensured the city he and his wife Diana cared about would continue to be supported beyond their lifetimes.

Back in 2013, four women from the University of Auckland’s Business School combined their giving power and shared passion, to make a difference by creating the “Fabulous Ladies Giving Circle”.

Following Rua Steven’s untimely death from leukaemia, husband Clarrie and son Lee were determined to make something of their grief at losing their community-spirited wife and mother.

“I could never do that” my friend told me as we stood in the foyer of the Herald Theatre waiting to see “Manawa Ora – Courage is Contagious”. I agreed.