In difficult economic times, businesses can often be tempted to cut costs, and philanthropic giving can often be the first casualty. The Gift Trust has been lucky enough to work with a number of businesses to facilitate their charitable giving. As such, we’ve been able to get to know why giving matters to them. In this article, we’ll be looking at three companies we’ve worked with, why they give, and what they get back from giving.
Rocket Lab – giving back to your community
One of the biggest reasons businesses give is to give back to the communities they work in. That’s the case with Rocket Lab, the New Zealand-founded aerospace company with a launch facility in Māhia, near Gisborne.
Their scholarship programme supports students who whakapapa to Rongomaiwahine (the mana whenua of Māhia), with mentoring, support, and $20,000 towards their studies in STEM. By working with The Gift Trust, they can focus on choosing the recipients and matching them with mentors, while we handle the money.
They’ve awarded ten scholarships since 2017, with the first two recipients having graduated with degrees in computer science and civil engineering. Other recipients are studying astronomy and medical sciences, and one plans to return to Māhia to be a GP.
The programme has been such a success that they’ve expanded it, now also awarding an annual scholarship supporting women and gender minorities in STEM. It’s part of a wider commitment, they say:
“Women are typically under-represented in engineering and STEM sectors, but we’re working to change that.”
Murielle Baker – Senior Communications Manager, Rocket Lab
GravityLab – a business with a purpose
Many businesses are now looking to achieve a social purpose alongside a financial return. GravityLab is a Kiwi tech company that takes that a step further – they give most of their profits not to shareholders or investors, but to charity.
The company is the sole funder of RescueandPrevent.org, whose mission is to end sex trafficking in south-east Asia. The foundation’s eight rescue agents actively rescue hundreds of women and children each year, and prosecute those responsible. According to GravityLab CEO Dan Howell, it makes business sense:
“Over fifty million people are in modern slavery – saving lives is the ultimate return on investment.”
Dan Howell – CEO, GravityLab
Opening a Gift Account with The Gift Trust meant they could easily contribute funds from their business account and make grants overseas, saving them time and money. They’ve also opened up their Gift Account to their clients, employees, and partners. In total they have given more than $500,000 so far to support RescueandPrevent.org’s vital work.
Restaurant Brands – living a big brand’s values
The most impactful corporate giving can often come from large brands that give according to their values. Restaurant Brands operates the KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and Carl’s Jr. brands in New Zealand, as well as other outlets overseas, and is a great example of this motivation. Their charitable donations, some of which have been managed through a Gift Account with The Gift Trust since 2019 have supported youth-oriented New Zealand charities focused on improving access to education.
“As a large employer of young people, these causes are particularly close to our hearts as we support access to education for the younger generation.”
Restaurant Brands
The Gift Trust has helped Restaurant Brands find and support charities that align with their strategy and brand values, including Manaiakalani and First Foundation, as well as Eastern & Central Community Trust’s response to Cyclone Gabrielle.
As a publicly traded company, Restaurant Brands discloses its giving in its annual reports. Decisions relating to their giving via their Gift Account are made by an internal panel, including executives and board members, in line with their corporate governance arrangements. Through partnering with The Gift Trust, they have been able to support causes that align with their brand, without all the hassle of managing their own corporate foundation.
Moving forward with giving back
Whatever your business’s motivation is, The Gift Trust can help you give in a way that’s impactful and works for you. To get started, get in touch with our team.
This article was originally published in the October 2025 issue of Philanthropy News.
