Launch night

Unique charitable trust to be launched for the benefit of Gisborne district

Invitations have gone out for the launch of a new charitable trust that will facilitate local giving for local needs, now and into the future.

The Sunrise Foundation will be officially launched on Monday October 6 at an open event for the Gisborne community. While invitations have been sent to those who have already expressed interest in the foundation, there are still spaces available for individuals and groups who wish to find out more.

The Sunrise Foundation is a unique type of charitable trust that works to connect people who care, with causes that matter, to strengthen the local community forever. It is part of a network of community foundations throughout New Zealand that are the fastest growing form of philanthropy worldwide.

The Sunrise Foundation attracts gifts and legacies to invest into, and improve the greater Gisborne district. The income from these investments is distributed yearly to causes chosen by the donor, as well as other areas of identified need.

Sunrise board chairperson John Clarke said the concept of giving via a dedicated endowment fund was new for Gisborne. The foundation was an opportunity for people who care about their district, and have supported its development via philanthropic giving to groups and organisations, to continue this support on an ongoing basis.

“Your donation or bequest will be invested, inflation proofed and the remaining earnings distributed annually to an organisation of your choice or directed at the discretion of the trustees to areas of need in the Gisborne region,” said Mr Clarke.

“The foundation is administered by a group of trustees who have a long association with the district. Their stewardship will ensure your donation or bequest is carefully managed and that your desire to support your charity or the social, environmental, cultural and community needs of Gisborne at large will continue forever.”

Mr Clarke said the trustees and executive officer, Glenda Stokes, were looking forward to welcoming as many interested people as possible at the launch. Attendees will also get to enjoy a presentation from keynote speaker Sir Stephen Tindall, notable New Zealand businessman, philanthropist and co-founder of the Tindall Foundation.

“I encourage you to attend the Sunrise Foundation launch and learn more about this exciting regional asset,” said Mr Clarke.

The Sunrise Foundation launch will be held on Monday October 6 from 5.15pm at The Quality Hotel Emerald, Gisborne.

If you would like to attend, contact executive officer Glenda Stokes by September 29.

Friday September 19, 2014

Top New Zealand businessman and philanthropist to speak at charitable trust launch

Spaces are filling fast for the launch of a new local charitable trust where an iconic New Zealand businessman and philanthropist will be presenting. 

Sir Stephen Tindall will be keynote speaker at The Sunrise Foundation launch on Monday, October 6.

Mr Tindall is the co-founder of the Tindall Foundation which over the past 15 years has helped to create stronger communities throughout New Zealand. As well as his extensive community contributions, Mr Tindall has led an extremely successful business career – most notably founding The Warehouse brand in 1982. 
The Sunrise Foundation is a unique type of charitable trust that has been established to help connect people who care, with causes that matter, to strengthen the Gisborne district now and into the future. The foundation attracts monetary gifts and legacies, with the investment income distributed yearly to local causes chosen by the donor, as well as other areas of identified need.

Sunrise Foundation chairperson John Clarke said Mr Tindall had been invited to the launch because of his passion for community foundations. The Tindall foundation had supported other community foundations to develop throughout New Zealand and his knowledge was of great value to The Sunrise Foundation.

“Sunrise is most definitely a local and entirely independent trust that uses similar frameworks to other community foundations set up throughout New Zealand,” said Mr Clarke. 
“The generosity of three local trusts – The Clark Charitable Trust, Eastland Community Trust and the JN Williams Memorial Trust – is helping to cover the establishment and operating costs of Sunrise in its first five years and the group of dedicated trustees who are administering the foundation are also local people who have a long association with this district.” 
Mr Tindall said he was looking forward to the launch and was delighted that The Sunrise Foundation was being created for the social improvement of Gisborne district. 
“Community foundations like Sunrise are a special asset for any region - it provides an independent non-partisan vehicle for local donors to leave a gift to their community, and a discretionary fund to apply to local causes and good works,” he said.

“This helps communities overcome the frequent changes in external funding and increases the pool of resources available for local social, environmental and community initiatives. I believe community foundations not only provide a source of funding to help address social issues within a region, but they also act in a leadership capacity contributing expertise to not-for-profit organisations by giving strategic advice and guidance on how to best address local needs,” he said.

Mr Clarke said the foundation was an opportunity for people who cared about their district, and had supported its development via philanthropic giving to groups and organisations, to continue this on an ongoing basis. The concept of giving via a dedicated endowment fund was new for Gisborne.

“Your donation or bequest will be invested, inflation proofed, and the remaining earnings distributed annually to an organisation of choice or directed at the discretion of the trustees to areas of need in the Gisborne district,” he said.

“The trustee’s stewardship will ensure your donation or bequest is carefully managed and that your desire to support your charity or the social, environmental, cultural and community needs of Gisborne at large will continue forever.” The community launch of The Sunrise Foundation is being held on Monday, October 6 from 5.15pm at The Quality Hotel Emerald, Gisborne.
If you would like to attend contact executive officer Glenda Stokes by September 29 on 06 8677939 or glenda@sunrisefoundation.org.nz

For more information contact: 

The Sunrise Foundation

Executive Officer, Glenda Stokes 
glenda@sunrisefoundation.org.nz 027 529 5474 06 8677939

Chairperson, John Clarke 
bawjclarke@gmail.com 021 223 6822