Sunrise celebrates 5th anniversary milestones

Sir Stephen Tindall came to Gisborne to officially launch Sunrise in October 2014. Sir Stephen, and the Tindall Foundation, are strong supporters of the community foundation model and have assisted with the establishment of 18 independent community foundations throughout New Zealand.

Sunrise is the community foundation for Tairāwhiti-Gisborne (the area governed by Gisborne District Council). We  are governed by a local voluntary board, are community-focused and are striving to build a permanent endowment fund which will benefit the local community, forever. 

John Clarke, Sunrise Chair, says “we are thrilled with support we’ve had from the many people and organisations who have made donations, provided funding and sponsorship, and volunteered their time, to help Sunrise become the fastest growing community foundation in the country.”

“It is due to their generosity that we have been in a position to help so many local charities and community groups to do the important work they do for and in our community.”

Sunrise has just announced the grant recipients in their fifth funding round, which has seen them distribute $120,000 to local causes across the arts, education, environment, health, social services and sports communities throughout Tairāwhiti-Gisborne.

Colin Christie, Sunrise Deputy Chair, says the team at Sunrise have got a lot to celebrate. 

“Donations from locals have seen our endowments grow to $4.5 million, enabling us to grant a total of $310,000 to local community organisations during our first five years.”

“This far exceeds any expectations we had when we started and to be the fastest growing community foundation in New Zealand is a testament to the generosity of our small community.”

Sunrise is celebrating five fabulous years of generosity and giving in Tairāwhiti-Gisborne at a sold out gala dinner celebration on Friday, 1st November. 

Sunrise grant recipients 2019 

Barnardos Gisborne

Cancer Society Gisborne East Coast (Gavin McFarlane Fund)

Eastland Rescue Helicopter (Bob and Aileen Harris Fund)

Eastwoodhill Arboretum

EIT Students Association

Gisborne Bowling Club (Bob and Aileen Harris Fund)

Gisborne Homeschool Organisation (Holdsworth Family Fund)

Gisborne International Music Competition 

Gisborne Land Search & Rescue (Bob and Aileen Harris Fund)

Gisborne Riding For Disabled

Gisborne Stroke Support Services

Gisborne Volunteer Centre

Hearing Assistance 

Hospice Tairāwhiti (Gavin McFarlane and Rosemary Johnson Funds)

Life Education Trust

Mangapapa Union Church

Midway Surf Club

Parafed Gisborne Tairāwhiti

Parenting Place

Patu Tahi Boxing Club

Supergrans

Surfing for Farmers

Tairāwhiti Age Concern

Tairāwhiti Beneficiary Advocacy Trust

Tairāwhiti Community Law Centre

Tairāwhiti Multicultural Council

Tairāwhiti Voyaging Trust

Tauawhi Mens Centre

Te Hapori Disability Trust

Tolaga Surf Life Saving Club

Victim Support Tairāwhiti

Waikanae Surf Lifesaving Club

Waikohu Health Fund

Wainui Surf Club (Bob and Aileen Harris Fund)

Waipaoa Station Farm Cadet Training Trust (Bob and Aileen Harris Fund)