COMMUNITY ENDOWMENT FUNDS
Community Funds are endowment funds targeted to benefit specific communities within the Clutha District. The initial donors define the geographical area that will benefit from the fund, which is built up by donations from anyone who has a wish to contribute to a lasting legacy for the community they love.
Once the initial donation of $5000 has been made, the fund is then open for anyone to contribute to. The fund is invested and managed by the Clutha Foundation and once it reaches $50,000 will start to pay out from income generated to charitable causes within the defined local community. The bigger it grows, the more income will be there for the community.
Donations can be made in the form of living gifts (which will receive a tax rebate of 33%) and gifts left in wills. The fund will grow over time and the income generated will continue to benefit the community in perpetuity.
If you are interested in donating to a Community Fund or in starting one up for your local community, please contact us.
KAITANGATA COMMUNITY FUND
The Kaitangata Community Fund has been opened with donations from three local donors who want to be part of setting up a fund that will benefit the people and the local environment of Kaitangata. Proud of its coal mining history, Kaitangata is a gutsy community that has, over the past few years, worked hard to make itself a place that young families want to move to. With energy and determination, it has built a skate park and BMX track and a new community centre, and the community run the swimming pool, library and museum. It is a community that goes all out for what it wants, and appreciates a hand up rather than a handout.
The Kaitangata Fund is perfect for those who love the community and want to build a lasting legacy to support it.
WEST OTAGO COMMUNITY FUND
The opening donation to the West Otago Community Fund was made by Gloria McHutchon, who was hanging on to some money that had been part of a now defunct trust that was formed years ago from catering for stock sales in Heriot. The money was targeted for under fives. Gloria felt that using the remaining funds to open an endowment Fund was a good way to ensure that community needs, including provision for under fives, would be met for generations to come.
The people of West Otago are generous and community minded. This Fund is a logical extension of their commitment to their community, allowing their generosity to become a lasting legacy.
THE OWAKA & DISTRICT COMMUNITY FUND
The generous people who have opened the Owaka & District community fund love the variety of both the landscape and the communities that make up the area their fund will support. The beach, the hills, the waterfalls and the townships are favourites with tourists, and inspire a deep love and loyalty in the residents too. People who live here want their donations to stay here - which is the beauty of the Community Endowment Fund model. Whether it is to support families, community projects, heritage or the environment, this fund offers locals a way to ensure they can continue to support the causes they care about long into the future.
LAWRENCE TUAPEKA COMMUNITY FUND
The Lawrence Tuapeka Community Endowment Fund was established July 2023 following a public meeting in Lawrence. The Fund is dedicated to supporting the development of:
the Lawrence Tuapeka Community
the protection of its natural environment and heritage
the health, education and well-being of its residents.
The founding members of the Funds steering group are Mark Hay, Geoff Scott, Ben Martin and Adele Cotton. The Fund was opened with a generous donation of $5,000 which will ensure that any future donations to the Fund will remain in the community for perpetuity ensuring community needs will be met for generations to come.