When the philanthropic sector in Aotearoa New Zealand wants to collaborate, The Gift Trust is often part of the picture, acting as a facilitator and service provider for projects which align with our values.
In early 2023, we were approached by a group of foundations and family trusts who wanted to create greater harmony between New Zealanders, and wanted us to help.
In partnership with these funders, we commissioned Lani Evans and Te Raukura O’Connell Rapira to examine social cohesion in Aotearoa, and the role philanthropic funding can play in advancing it. From their report, Woven Together, the group established a collaborative funding pool, with four key pillars:
- Education and training
- Advocacy
- Collaboration and capacity-building
- Diversity and inclusion
The pool is held and managed by The Gift Trust, with an advisory group representing both funders and community organisations, with two tangata whenua members and two tangata Tiriti members. The advisory group has met regularly to discuss funding opportunities, reflect on where the greatest need exists, and recommend grants.
From an original group of five, the Social Cohesion Fund is now a space for connection between more than ten funders and donors, each of whom participates in a way that is right for them;
- Some partners add funds to the pool, tagged for a particular pillar or focus, or untagged,
- Some partners use the Social Cohesion Fund as an easy way to support specific causes identified by our research,
- Finally, other partners participate in knowledge-sharing and research, but do their funding independently.
Its approach models the cohesive society the Fund is trying to build – each partner works in its own way, with its own priorities and values, but can come together with others to achieve a shared goal. Since its inception, the Social Cohesion Fund has facilitated more than $450,000 in grants for a more cohesive Aotearoa, with The Gift Trust proud to act as its facilitator.
Find out more about the Social Cohesion Fund, and download the Woven Together report, at thegifttrust.org.nz/social-cohesion-fund.
