Absolutely! If you’re unsure where to direct your donation, we can help match your interests with causes that align with your values.
Yes, we are a registered charity with Charities Services New Zealand, and all donations are eligible for a 33.33% tax credit.
Unlike most charities, we don’t spend donations immediately. Instead, we invest them to create a sustainable source of funding, ensuring long-term support for local causes. We do have some pass through funds, but our focus is on long term, sustainable funding.
We receive donations and bequests, invest them, and use the returns to support charitable initiatives in Northland. This ensures your generosity benefits the community now and for generations to come.
Northland Community Foundation (NCF) is a charitable trust that connects generous donors with causes that matter in Northland. We help individuals, families, and businesses create lasting legacies by investing in community projects, grants, and endowment funds.
We provide funding to charities and community groups working in key areas such as health, education, the environment, and social wellbeing, depending on the funds available each year. Some funds also support specific causes, as directed by donors.
Visit our Grants page on the website to check current funding opportunities, guidelines, and application deadlines.
Grant rounds vary depending on available funding but usually open in May each year. Keep an eye on our website or subscribe to our newsletter for updates.
Applications are assessed by our Grants Committee, ensuring funds are distributed fairly and effectively to causes that align with the fund's purpose and our mission.
Most grants are for registered charities and community groups, but some scholarships and specific funds may support individuals.
In some cases, groups that are not registered charities can apply if they have an umbrella organisation to oversee the funding. Contact us to discuss your situation.
You can donate online, via bank transfer, by setting up a regular giving plan, or by leaving a gift in your Will. Visit our Donate Now page if you’d like to donate today or contact us to talk through your options.
Yes! You can donate to an existing fund, or set up your own named fund to support a specific cause close to your heart.
This will depend on which fund you give to. Pass-through funds will be spent immediately. If you give to an endowment fund, your donation is pooled with other funds and invested to generate long-term returns, ensuring ongoing support for Northland causes.
Your donation is invested, meaning it keeps giving year after year. Plus, donations are tax-deductible, allowing you to claim a 33.33% tax credit. By donating to Northland Community Foundation, you’ll be contributing to building a stronger, healthier community.
Yes, we respect donor privacy and can facilitate anonymous donations if preferred.
When you donate directly to a charity, your gift is usually spent immediately. When you donate through NCF, your gift is invested, creating a sustainable source of funding for the community for years to come.
A bequest is a gift left in your Will to support charitable causes. You can leave a specific amount, a percentage of your estate, or the remainder after other gifts are distributed.
Leaving a bequest, or a gift in your Will creates a lasting legacy in Northland, ensuring your generosity continues to benefit the community for generations to come.
You can ask your lawyer to include a simple clause in your Will. We can provide suggested wording to ensure your wishes are clear. We have partnered with law firms across Northland – you can find your nearest lawyer here:
Yes, you can direct your gift to a specific cause, charity, or community fund. If you’re unsure, we can help tailor your legacy to your interests.
Yes, you can add a simple codicil (amendment) to your existing Will without needing to rewrite the entire document. You’ll need to get in touch with your lawyer.
We encourage you to let us know so we can ensure your wishes are followed and acknowledge your generosity if you choose.
A pass-through fund is designed for short-term giving - donations are collected and distributed to charitable causes within a set timeframe. This is ideal if you want to make an immediate impact.
An endowment fund, on the other hand, is a long-term investment where the principal remains intact, and only the earnings (interest) are distributed to support causes. This ensures sustainable funding for the community year after year.
Yes, you can create a named fund that reflects your values, and we will manage it on your behalf to support causes you care about.
We require a minimum investment of $50,000 to set up a named fund. Contact us to discuss your options. When establishing a Named or Corporate Endowment Fund, we encourage donors to make a one-off donation of $5000 which goes towards the operating expenses of the Northland Community Foundation, and will help promote your fund to secure donations. This donation will qualify for a 33.3% tax credit.
We manage a variety of funds, including community funds, scholarships, and workplace giving funds.
Funds are invested with Craigs Investment Partners and are professionally managed to generate sustainable returns, ensuring ongoing support for your chosen cause.
Workplace giving allows employees to donate directly from their salary, often with the employer matching to increase the impact. For example, employees may give $5 a week to a cause close to them.
Employers can partner with Northland Community Foundation to set up a workplace giving programme, allowing staff to support local causes easily. If you’re interested, please get in touch.
Yes, employees can direct their donations to a specific fund or cause within Northland Community Foundation.
Yes, donations made through payroll giving receive an immediate tax rebate, making it a simple and effective way to give. For example, if you gave $7.50 a fortnight, you’d receive a $2.50 tax rebate for charitable giving, so it would only cost $5 a fortnight – the cost of a cup of coffee.
Yes, businesses can establish a corporate fund to support local causes, with contributions from both the company and employees.
The process is simple:
1️⃣ Start the conversation – Ask your client if they have considered including charity in their will.
2️⃣ Connect with us – We can provide guidance and sample bequest wording for their lawyer.
3️⃣ Create a lasting impact – We ensure their gift is managed and invested wisely for future generations.
Northland Community Foundation makes it easy for your clients to give back to Northland in a way that lasts forever.
By donating through Northland Community Foundation, your clients can:
✅ Maximize tax benefits – Donations qualify for tax credits or deductions.
✅ Make a lasting impact – Endowment funds ensure support continues for generations.
✅ Support what matters most – Clients can choose specific causes, charities, or community initiatives.
✅ Give with confidence – We manage and invest funds professionally, ensuring long-term benefit.
We work alongside advisors to make charitable giving simple, flexible, and impactful.
As a professional advisor, you play a key role in helping clients shape their legacy. A simple way to start the conversation is by asking:
💬 “Are there any charities or causes you care about that you’d like to support in your will or during your lifetime?”
Advisors do not tell clients what they should be doing in their wills, but advisors can advise what options are available. Many clients are interested in giving back but aren’t sure where to start. Northland Community Foundation offers a way of giving that benefits both their financial plans and the community
We partner with lawyers, accountants, and financial advisors to help clients incorporate charitable giving into their financial and estate plans. Whether your client wants to leave a gift in their will, set up an endowment, or support a specific cause, we provide expert guidance on the best options available.