Introduction to Nikau Foundation

What is a Community Foundation?

A community foundation is an independent philanthropic organisation working in a specific geographic area.  The objective is to provide long term benefits to the region and its people.  Community foundations are a world-wide movement and are a rapidly growing form of philanthropy in North America and Europe. 
 
Australia and New Zealand are rapidly developing along similar lines.
 
Currently there are twelve community foundations in New Zealand and over one thousand in 46 countries worldwide.

What is Nikau Foundation?

Nikau Foundation is the Community Foundation for the Greater Wellington Region
 
The Nikau Foundation is a unique charitable trust that attracts gifts, trusts and legacies and invests them for the benefit of the Greater Wellington region.

The income from these investments is distributed to charitable organisations in accordance with the donor's wishes, throughout the Greater Wellington Region.
 
The Foundation’s primary aim is to provide a simple, effective and long-lasting way for people in the Greater Wellington region to give to local causes now and in the future.

 

Advantages of giving through Nikau Foundation     

 
The advantages of our foundation are: 
 
Flexibility. The choice is yours - you can name your endowment fund with your name / in memory of a loved one / for a specific purpose or remain anonymous. You can nominate where the income is to be distributed to - to your favourite suburb or part of your city / to the environment / for children or youth / animal welfare / the arts / your sporting interest - the choice is limitless.

Enduring trusteeship.  Community foundations are truly forever.  Many private trusts do not make provision for replacing trustees and community needs tend to change over time. The flexibility offered by the Foundation enables donor wishes to be realised in changing circumstances.
 
Knowledge of your area's needs.  This is based on extensive and ongoing research, while being part of a comprehensive network of local authorities and community groups.
 
Economies of scale.  The Foundation attracts and collects gifts from a range of donors.  These gifts are pooled to form a strong capital base which is invested and kept in perpetuity. The pooling of these funds adds value to individual donations and donor wishes.
 
Simple, transparent and cost-effective.  the Foundation offers a better and more effective alternative to setting up your own stand-alone philanthropic fund.  It uses professional investment and legal advice and has fully transparent processes to report to donors and to the wider community.  We can accommodate your wishes to use a trustee company to manage your funds.
 
Efficiency  The Foundation takes care of all of the administrativerequirements.  All  issues related to trustee replacements, financial reporting, audit, legal requirements, donee selection, etc. are all taken care of for you and your descendants.