Tanya McMurtrie could savour a take-away coffee a day but instead skips that pleasure for the satisfaction of knowing the money she would have spent is going to help young people in her community.
Tanya, who is an investment advisor with Craig’s Investment Partners in Nelson, donates $210 a month, through Top of the South Community Foundation (TotSCF) to Nelson-Tasman Big Brothers, Big Sisters, (BBBS) a community organisation which matches volunteer mentors with young people.
“I am fortunate to be able to make donations, through regular giving and once a year $2,520 is allocated by TotSCF to Big Brothers, Big Sisters. That’s a reasonable chunk of money which can make an impact.”
BBBS consults Tanya on ways the funds could be used. In three years, she has donated $7,560 to BBBS to help young people transition from the mentoring programme to work or training, including assisting with apprenticeship fees or personal development.
 “Regular or Payroll giving is easy. It is in effect ‘set and forget’. TotSCF takes care of the administration of the funds, and I receive one tax certificate a year for the full amount donated.”
While Tanya is committed to supporting BBBS, through TotSCF she also has the option of allocating some of her funds to other community groups.
Tanya encourages anyone who would like to support groups and organisations they are passionate about, to consider regular giving. “It can be as little as $5 or $10 a week. If 30 people do that, all of a sudden it generates a meaningful sum of money.”
Nettie Stow, Executive Officer for TotSCF says for the cost of a cup of coffee a week you can make a significant difference.
“The Top of the South Community Foundation Payroll Giving programme allows you to support our community through a simple yet effective process.”
Click here to find out more about TotSCF Payroll giving.
Click here to find out more about Nelson-Tasman Big Brothers Big Sisters