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Kiwifruit Growers Fund launched for Whakatāne District

Inspired by the success of the Ōpōtiki Kiwifruit Growers Community Fund, which was established in 2019 a group of Kiwifruit Growers in the Rangitāiki Plains have launched a Kiwifruit Growers Community Fund that covers the Whakatāne District.By pooling small donations of $0.01 to $0.02 per tray of picked fruit, they hope to make a significant impact on local initiatives, helping the community, responding to community needs and focusing on youth development.This newly created fund would b...

The importance of having a will

The importance of having a will A will is the expression of a person’s wishes concerning the transfer of property on their death. It is very important that we make one so that our loved ones and dependents are looked after when we pass away.In support of Community Foundations of New Zealand Wills Month Craigs Investment Partners have partnered with Dentons to explain the importance of having a will.As lawyers involved in preserving and enhancing family wealth we regularly meet w...

Legacy giving that strengthens communities

Wills Month is a time to consider carefully what you will do with your assets and who you will leave them to. It’s an important process that we should all engage in — for our own peace of mind and for the benefit of the people we love and the causes we care about.Increasingly, clients are considering charitable giving as part of their legacy planning. Some are inspired by the great work of an organisation they’ve supported or benefited from. Others are looking for causes that reflect their...

Creating a legacy with meaning

September is National Wills Month, a time to update your wishes and prioritise the ways that could make a difference in your own community. Having a current will is important and ensures that your wishes will be followed after you leave this world. It also means less confusion and heartache for your loved ones.If you don’t have a will, now is the time to write one!Consumer NZ advises that Wills aren’t just for those who have a lot of assets, saying that every adult should have a will. That's...

A fond farewell and a Celebration - EBCF 2025 Annual General Meeting

In the evening of Wednesday 3rd September, the Eastern Bay Community Foundation held our Annual General Meeting.Where we were pleased to share our Annual Report with attendees and supporters.It was a fond farewell for Grant Lowe who is retiring from the Board of Trustees after 8 years of service, his steady hand and support for the Foundation will be missed and we wish Grant and Raewyn a well-deserved retirement.We also had a fond farewell for Bradley Shaw who is not seeking reelection onto the ...

Community foundations are shifting the way that Kiwis give

Sir Stephen Tindall is a name that is synonymous with community, financial growth and giving and he was inspired when he discovered the unique community foundation giving model in the USA 20 years ago.“We saw the model working so well in the United States and the ongoing benefits that it provided to communities and we wanted New Zealand communities to benefit too,” said Sir Stephen. "The way that community giving works isn’t as widely understood in New Zealand as it is in more established ...

How lawyers and their clients can help the charitable sector - Article in LawNews

Calling all Eastern Bay of Plenty Lawyers and Professional Advisors, working together we can help your clients leave a personal, meaningful, and lasting legacy for our community.Many of your clients may be thinking about giving back to their community but may not be aware that Eastern Bay Community Foundation is local. We understand our community's need and how your clients can collectively make the greatest impact for our region, whether that’s supporting a local charity or cause they feel pa...

In the news

Recent articles from our local Community Foundation...

Edna Brown's Enduring Legacy

Edna Brown established New Zealand's first Endowment Fund with her local Community Foundation. Edna passed away in 2001, leaving more than just fond memories. In her Will she set aside a bequest of just over $67,000 for the benefit of Tauranga. The Community Foundation smarter giving model invests her capital in perpetuity, generating an annual income stream for the community while the core gift keeps on growing.Twenty-plus years of growing impact...

$50,000 Raised by Women’s Impact Fund to Support Eastern Bay Women and Children

The Eastern Bay Women’s Impact Fund proudly announced that $50,000 has been donated at its annual luncheon held on Sunday, 29 June, which aims to support initiatives that benefit women and children in the Eastern Bay of Plenty region.The event featured an engaging panel discussion with four influential local women: Judith Quinlan-Logan, Rosemary Sloman, Cherie Stevenson, and Lou Hunt. The panelists shared personal experiences and discussed the importance of community giving, the inspiration be...

The Bay Education and Research Fund

This new fund has been setup by a gentleman who lives in the Eastern Bay of Plenty, who wants to make a difference and give an opportunity to students from the Eastern Bay of Plenty doing tertiary study. His eyes light up when he discusses research, particularly medical research so this endowment fund, in time, will distribute towards research projects that may require a small funding boost.This new fund has been established to assist young people from the Eastern Bay of Plenty to attain Univers...

Supporting music appreciation and music development in the Eastern Bay of Plenty

Warner Haldane is a gentleman who has two main passions in life – his community and music.This Endowment Fund has been set up with a generous donation from Warner to create opportunities for music development within the Eastern Bay of Plenty and will be open for funding applications for groups/individual musicians for initiatives that:-         Inspire people, especially the young, to become musicians-         Help musicians develop their skills and expe...

Quiz night fundraiser for the Eastern Bay Women's Impact Fund

Join us for a fun and impactful Fundraising Quiz Night at The Comm, supporting the Women's Impact Fund!Celebrate the special women in your life – bring your mum, daughter, or a group of friends!Quiz Night: Thursday, 8 May. Dinner is available from 5:00 pm, Quiz Master starts at 6:30 pm.Tickets are $25 per person (plus booking fee), directly supporting the Eastern Bay Community Foundation Women's Impact Fund. Tables of 6 available – book your tickets today for a chance to win a bar tab!F...

A garden party for a good cause

Thirty women toured the garden of Linda Virbickas in Otakiri before sitting down under the shady trees to enjoy lunch and an interesting speech by Lou Hunt, accompanied by music from Rangitikei College students.Lou, who has just moved to the Eastern Bay of Plenty, shared her love of the ocean and seizing opportunities in life. She spoke of her roles diving in the Bahamas, surveying the ocean south of New Zealand, working in Wellington on government policy, her roles working with Climate change p...

Focusing on Mental Wellbeing in the Eastern Bay

Tawera Nikau NZOM, is one of New Zealand’s most celebrated Rugby League internationals.Tawera Nikau’s journey is one of overcoming adversity, mental strength, and leadership. He has faced significant life challenges, both on and off the field, and has emerged as a true example of resilience and strength. His story is one of triumph in the face of life’s toughest moments and provides invaluable lessons for anyone looking to grow through adversity.Tawera spoke with Rangitahi at Tarawera Coll...

A vision for future community healthcare in the Ōpōtiki District

In early March 2025 the Eastern Bay Community Foundation announced the agreement with Ōpōtiki Community Health Trust with the creation of a new community endowment fund – safeguarding and growing the future of healthcare in Ōpōtiki.Lyn Riesterer, Chair of the Ōpōtiki Community Health Trust, says that Ōpōtiki Community Health Trust wishes to maximise our financial potential and continue to grow the community's health fund as part of its current strategic plan.  She states that...

February 2025 Newsletter

We kick off 2025 with a fun inspiring community fundraising event - an evening with Tawera Nikau - tickets are selling now!In this newsletter we launch the 2025 Women's Impact Fund, give an update on the continued success and impact of Ōpōtiki Kiwifruit Growers Community Fund, detail Give and Get back - ways to supercharge your giving, and a welcome to our new trustee Dean Cole....

Supercharging your giving – give and get your tax back

Giving into our communities, both through our time and our resources, plays an important part in the kiwi psyche. Here in New Zealand, we understand and support a giving culture, however what is not widely understood is the part played, and the rationale behind, our country’s tax incentives to promote giving and philanthropy.How does it work? In a nutshell, 33% of what we give to charitable causes can essentially be claimed back through a tax rebate*. So, if you make a donation of $30, you can...

Launch of 2025 Eastern Bay Womens Impact Fund

Would you like to be a supporter of the Eastern Bay Women's Impact Fund?An exciting group of women coming together to make an impactful difference in our community. In 2024, the Impact Fund was able to make two large contributions to Mums4Mums and to Whakatane Financial Mentoring Services, as well as smaller contributions to the Mona Lickfold Trust (Cancer Support) and ELP Kiwi English classes. Are you keen to be a donor in 2025 and be part of our exciting giving circle?To find out mor...

Download a list of Community Services in the Whakatāne, Ōpōtiki and Kawerau districts.

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Responding to community need. Looking out for our Kaumatua at Christmas time.

On Wednesday 18th December staff, trustees, and families of the Eastern Bay Community Foundation teamed with staff of Waiariki Mentoring Services and staff of Here to Help U to pack and deliver 164 food parcels to seniors in need throughout the Eastern Bay of Plenty.The Eastern Bay Community Foundation decided to spread joy and warmth to seniors in the Eastern Bay of Plenty with a generous donation of $10,000 from Craigs Investment Partners as part of their annual Christmas Giving initiative.The...

Annual Christmas Giving

This December, the Eastern Bay Community Foundation (EBCF) is bringing joy and support to seniors in the Eastern Bay of Plenty (EBOP) with a generous $10,000 donation from Craigs Investment Partners as part of their annual Christmas Giving initiative. The donation will fund food parcels aimed at assisting seniors aged 65+ who face social isolation, health and mobility challenges, or financial hardship.The rising cost of living has left many seniors in the EBOP region struggling. Numerous seniors...

Whakaari Memorial

December 9th, 2019 changed our community forever.Today we remember those who lost their lives in the eruption, and those who survived, and we are thankful for the first responders and helpers at that time.5 years ago, the EBCF setup a fund collecting donations from NZ and overseas to assist local victims of the eruption, their families, and first responders.This year as we reflect on the eruption 5 years ago we are pleased to be part of the Whakaari Memorial Fund, The Eastern Bay Community Found...

October Newsletter

This month we cover:wills monthgrant applicationswomens impact 100...

New Attestation

We are thrilled to share that the Eastern Bay Community Foundation have reached our goal of achieving attestation.The CFANZ attestation means that we comply with the highest standards, we know that we're doing good work but it's nice when the experts confirm that.Our certificate of National quality standards certification was presented at the CFANZ national conference in Christchurch earlier this week and as you can see from the photograph, we're quite chuffed!...