Kia ora koutou, greetings everyone.

We look back with real pleasure on another year of growing our impact in the region.  In 2022 we distributed $83k ($26k from our managed funds and $57k from cash donors) and this year we distributed $130k ($69k / $61k).  In addition, we continue to support The Tindall Foundation with their local grants – another $68k this year.  Overall, a little over $350,000 total impact in the last two years is wonderful to be a part of!

2023 also saw the successful completion of the charity home initiative led by our Platinum Partner Signature Homes Nelson, with the support of Wakatu Incorporation and a number of other local building contractors.  We’re incredibly thankful for Signature’s support, and are currently working with them on extending our Platinum Partnership for a further two years.  More news on all this in 2024.

Looking ahead, the Board has begun to review our strategy for 2024 and beyond, that we’ll fine tune at our final meeting of the year later in December.  Our core objectives will be an internal focus on high performance, increasing both our knowledge of our region’s needs and our region’s knowledge of us, and continuing to grow our impact.  We will work closely with Community Foundations Aotearoa New Zealand on achieving best practice accreditation, and we’ll stay close to the work happening in the region on charities sector collaboration and support.  We will of course continue to pursue ‘unlocking philanthropic potential’, to encourage generosity for a forever impact.

Our latest newsletter includes an EO update from Nettie, a profile of Trustee Roy Dawson, an impact story from Tasman involving Salisbury School, a story about Christmas Giving from our supporter Craigs Investment Partners, and news of a fundraiser event for our Zest for Life Fund.  Please share the newsletter around!

A reminder, as always, to please consider how you might support causes you love yourself, by talking to Nettie or Kim or a Foundation Trustee, or donating via our website;  https://www.topsouthfoundation.org.nz/donate/.  In addition, we’re always keen to pursue operations funding because we can’t apply to ourselves to continue our own important work 😊

I hope all the readers of our newsletter, and your whānau and friends, have a wonderful Christmas and summer break.  I look forward to sharing more of our progress in 2024.

Ngā mihi, kind regards

Dave Ashcroft, Chair, [email protected]