Everyday philanthropists in action
Published on 6 June, 2022
Tim Macindoe - Momentum Waikato Generosity Ambassador
This column also appears in Seasons magazine June 2022 issue.
Hear the word ‘philanthropy’ and you probably think of wealthy folks making donations so large they get their name on the building. However, I encounter generous people from all walks in life giving money to things they care about.
What distinguishes a ‘donor’ from a ‘philanthropist’ is often the steps taken to ensure their donations are effective, whether its well-informed targeting so the gift has the maximum leverage or investing with others to grow income for their chosen charities or communities.
As a Community Foundation, the core service of Momentum Waikato is enabling such ‘smart giving’, so anyone can be a philanthropist.
A fun example is ‘giving circles’, where generous folks club together to donate and fundraise to grow their own philanthropic investment fund, and then as a group decide where the resulting income will go.
Our most well-established giving circle is the Waikato Women’s Fund (WWF), which for four years now has been building up a serious sum of money to generate real investment returns, from which they make grants to organisations enabling the lives of local women and girls.
Women are now generating their own wealth in growing numbers, and more often enjoy being connected to others for collective giving.
At the same time, women and girls are particularly and specifically exposed to the impact of social issues, and yet few funders track how their funding specifically supports them.
KEEN: The Waikato Women’s Fund committee leads an active group of everyday philanthropists.
The Waikato Women's Fund connects the philanthropy of ordinary everyday people with projects empowering women and girls to reach their full potential. Anyone, any gender, who donates any amount to the WWF becomes a Fund member, able to vote on where to send that year’s grants.
Members enjoy fun social events, including well-catered gatherings in lovely locations, listening to inspiring speakers talk about what matters for women and girls – I recommend a Waikato Women’s Fund occasion simply for the great company!
The WWF’s members have together supported a range of worthy outfits, including the Rural Youth and Adult Literary Trust, Waikato Women’s Refuge-Te Whakaruruhau, House of Grace Hamilton and the Toi Wāhine Festival.
I thoroughly support and endorse the Waikato Women’s Fund, so if you would like to join a movement for women and girls, and share in the joy of giving and making change happen in our region, have a look at waikatowomensfund.org.nz or contact empower@waikatowomensfund.nz.
