Cambridge Community Fund - By local, for local
Published on 23 May, 2026
From the Momentum Waikato Annual Report 2025 - see full report in PDF.
Cambridge looking after its own needs is the driving principle for a fund set up in late 2024 to support the town and its people, the first example of Momentum Waikato’s new ‘place based’ endowments.
The Cambridge Community Charitable Trust got together with Momentum to establish the Cambridge Community Fund, to generate investment income for charitable activities and projects in the Waipa centre.
The Fund was officially launched with a well-attended function at Te Awa Retirement Village in October 2024, with David Cooney and Kevin Burgess, pictured below, from the Cambridge Trust stepping forward as the inaugural Fund Champions.
Cambridge Community Fund Champions David Cooney and Kevin Burgess. Photo: Michael Jeans.
They see the new fund as the ideal scenario – a Cambridge-focused charitable fund enabled by a region-wide philanthropic investment entity.
“The Cambridge Community Fund is a cost-effective way for local people to leave a legacy forever to their town,” said Kevin, who is well known locally as a pharmacist, trustee on various boards, and athletics supporter.
“Money donated will benefit Cambridge forever, with the partnership with Momentum providing credibility, collegial knowledge, and back office and governance support.”
“As a pharmacist here for decades, I know that while Cambridge may be seen as a ‘well off’ place, it has the same issues going on as any town, and they’re often hidden away. It is a crying shame we have people in need in Cambridge.
“I want the Fund to help Cambridge to take care of its own, to build community equity, and benefit our future generations to come.”
David said the Cambridge Community Trust was founded in the early 1990s to raise significant enough capital to make a meaningful difference in the town.
“Over the years we have received many grants and bequests from the community, but as you would expect a similar number of funding requests were also received.
“It has been a hand-to-mouth existence and our long-term goal of creating a meaningful capital base was difficult. There needed to be a different model and a better way to achieve the goal of establishing a long-term endowment fund for Cambridge. That’s why we looked into the community foundation approach,” said David.
The new Cambridge Fund received an early boost when Lyceum House in Cambridge closed down in late 2024. The ‘Lyceum ladies’ were left with a significant sum of money to grant to charities, and chose to give a fifth of it to the Cambridge Community Fund, with a preference that the resulting investment income generated by their donation be used to support women’s education in Cambridge.
By late 2025 the Fund Champions were making strong progress promoting the opportunity to the locals.
“The Cambridge Community Fund certainly received a very warm and encouraging welcome from the Cambridge community,” said David.
“There is a very high level of interest and support in Cambridge, with many potential donors requesting information.”
To find out more and donate to the Cambridge Community Fund, visit momentumwaikato.nz/cambridgecommunityfund.
