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What We Do

What’s the change you want to see in your region? Do you want to ensure your giving has the maximum ongoing impact on the issues you care about?

Momentum Waikato exists to simplify and enable local philanthropy. We’re here to make the Waikato the most generous region on the planet. A better Waikato for everyone, forever.

Our role is to nurture and build our community strengths and assets. We connect generous charitable people with the work of the proven changemakers in their area and communities. We’re convening the Waikato’s current and future philanthropists to grow the region’s endowment fund and initiate transformational projects, all for the benefit of the generations to come.

As an independently established community foundation, we are nimble and flexible, able to fill the gaps government and most funders can’t reach. We accept and leverage individual and business donations, so offer options such as payroll giving and corporate gifting.

Talk to us if you want to know more about donating towards worthy causes in the Waikato in a way that provides them with sustainable ongoing support well into the future. Especially if you are considering leaving a bequest in your Will, or are a lawyer or an accountant who advises people writing their Will – Momentum Waikato can help create your legacy.

We ensure that each and every person who contributes to Momentum Waikato experiences the joy of giving like never before, with the ability to choose and then follow the path of their gift from beginning to end. Contact us today to find out more.

What is a Community Foundation?

We’re part of a network of Community Foundations that have been growing around Aotearoa New Zealand since 2003.

Through the coordination of the Community Foundations of Aotearoa New Zealand (CFANZ, our national body), we’re all working to provide resources that will make a lasting difference in our local communities. Our aim is for every New Zealander to be able to affect lasting change wherever their home or heart may be.

What is a Community Foundation? - CFANZ

FAQ about community foundations and endowment funds - CFANZ



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Impact Areas

Momentum Waikato frames its data gathering, research and impact investment in terms of eight 'Impact Areas' that categorise the activities and concerns of the region's communities.

The briefs under the headings below explain what success looks like for our mahi in each of these respective fields.

Also listed are the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) relevant to our agenda in the relevant Impact Area, in order to align our priorities therein with regional, national and global development activities, and to partner with the Waikato Wellbeing Project, the local champion of the SDG vision.

Momentum Waikato's over-arching commitment to 'connect and convene' is partially consistent with 'Goal 17 - Partnership for the goals'.

Children & Youth

We look to create lasting change for children and youth and their families by generating the maximum impact in areas of therapeutic or rehabilitative services targeted at them, including those with special needs. We will prioritise investment in community-based projects that require and/or make best use of community resources to undertake their proposed activities and/or achieve their stated objectives. These should involve capacity building, i.e. the creation, expansion or augmentation of services, rather than the maintenance of existing offers.

As UNICEF recognises, children and youth will benefit from the realisation of all of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In the context of Momentum Waikato's agenda, the relevant UN SDGs are 3 - Good health and well-being; 4 - Quality education; 8 - Decent work and economic growth; and 10 - Reduced inequality.

Community

We will work to build community connection and wider recognition that social cohesion is required to tackle the challenges we are collectively facing. Our support will go to innovative, transformational projects that ease isolation, especially in the growing elderly population, address the effects of poverty and inequity, engender safe neighbourhoods and districts, and help everyone to live secure, more productive lives.

The UN Sustainable Development Goals relevant to Momentum Waikato's agenda in this area are Goal 11 - Sustainable cities and communities; 8 - Decent work and economic growth; 16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions; and 17 - Partnership for the goals.

Culture & Arts

We find and facilitate social, economic and technical innovations that propagate the growth of artistic, cultural and heritage activities across all communities, age groups and social classes in the Waikato. We aim to increase the number of attendees and participants in artistic and cultural offerings, so our city and region are more vibrant and attractive to talent and can provide more employment opportunities and improved livelihoods for local artists.

'Art and Culture' is not a specific UN Sustainable Development Goal, however creative solutions are required to tackle the world's challenges, so culture is explicitly recognised by UNESCO as embodied in Goal 11 - Sustainable cities and communities; 8 - Decent work and economic growth; 10 - Reduced inequality; 5 - Gender equality; 16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions; and the environmental goals 13 - Climate action, 14 - Life below water and 15 - Life on land.

Economic Vitality

We aim to build the economic foundations of a thriving and sustainable future for the Waikato. Strategic economic initiatives we will support to deliver on this commitment could include quality creation, workforce skill development, new or improved infrastructure investment, innovative transport projects or any other enterprising schemes that vastly improve the Waikato's regional economy. Those projects that utilise existing community resources or leverage the work of other organisations to produce economic benefit will be most readily and generously supported.

The UN Sustainable Development Goals relevant to Momentum Waikato's economic agenda are Goal 8 - Decent work and economic growth; 9 - Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure; 10 - Reduced inequality; and 11: Sustainable cities and communities.

Education

We look to bring forward any innovation that will strengthen schools, neighbourhoods and workplaces through the participation of students, parents, educators and employers. The anticipated outcomes would ensure children are socially and emotionally prepared to start school, and that young people are able to transition smoothly through and beyond the education system and have increased employment opportunities.

The UN Sustainable Development Goals relevant to Momentum Waikato's agenda in this area are Goal 4 - Quality education; 8 - Decent work and economic growth; and 11 - Sustainable cities and communities.

Environment

We support innovations that increase the quality, health and resilience of New Zealand's natural, rural and urban environments, and/or protect and enhance animal welfare. We aim to achieve outcomes that address and respond to climate change and other key global and local environmental issues, and increase public understanding and engagement with the challenges facing the planet.

The UN Sustainable Development Goals relevant to Momentum Waikato environmental issue are Goal 9 - Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure; 11 - Sustainable cities and communities; 13 - Climate action; 14 - Life below water; and 15 - Life on land.

Health

Our goals are to assist people to enjoy improved health and wellbeing and to be well connected to their communities. We will support initiatives that enable individuals, families and communities to create and secure healthy, caring, safe and supportive settings for all members of society. We want to enable individuals and communities to have the power to contribute to and seek knowledge about their health.

The UN Sustainable Development Goals relevant to Momentum Waikato's agenda in this area are Goal 3 - Good health and well-being; 5 - Gender equality; and 11 - Sustainable cities and communities.

Recreation

We look to support programs and projects that will have a positive impact on people of all ages through providing opportunities and motivation to take part in sport, physical recreation and other healthy activities. Those engaged in an active lifestyle are more likely to be committed to their ongoing well-being and connected to their community.

'Sport and Recreation', more broadly described as 'physical activity', are not a specific UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG), however the

UN Office on Sport for Development and Peace (UNOSDP) has linked them to the realisation of a number of the SDGs. Those relevant to Momentum Waikato's agenda in this are Goal 3 - Good health and well-being; 4 - Quality education; and 5 - Gender equality.

What Guides Us

Momentum Waikato has a rigorous governance process leading its strategic direction and fund growth, all underpinned by a smart, purpose-driven approach to high-impact community investment.

The Board of the Momentum Waikato Community Foundation is made up of trustees from the community and business, all recruited and appointed by a Board Appointments Panel made up of appointees of key local entities.

Momentum Waikato’s second five-year strategic plan, for the 2020-2025 financial years, is focussed on delivery and sustainability.

The key objective, as ever, is to continue to nurture a culture of generosity across the region and grow endowment funds to support 'A Better Waikato for Everyone, Forever'. We're proud to have invested over $100 million to date in transformational projects and philanthropic investment funds.

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Investment Information

Momentum Waikato has the added complement of independent investment fund portfolio managers Craigs Investment Partners and JBWere providing strategic investment fund management, to ensure solid growth returns for future distribution throughout the community. An investment committee oversees the recommendations of these expert portfolio managers.


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Professional investment advice should be taken before making an investment. This graph provides a guide, however growth depends on fund performance and changing market rates.


Our Statement of Investment Policy and Objectives outlines our commitment to prudent stewardship of donor funds, focused on maximising fund distribution over the long term.

View our SIPO