About the Fifeshire Foundation
We are a charitable Trust that gives assistance to local people in hardship and domestic crisis.
We also give grants to agencies that support local people in crisis.
The Fifeshire Foundation began in 1993
A group of local people set up the Fifeshire Foundation as a charitable Trust to raise money locally to support local people in need. Since 1993 our aim remains the same, to help people in crisis, and to help people make longer term changes in their lives.
We support individual and families in need as well as the organisations who work with people in need
We know that many people in our region are coping with things like poverty, unemployment, health crises and domestic violence. In addition people may be managing to make ends meet, but then face a crisis or an unexpected extra expense and need somewhere else to turn.
All money is raised and distributed locally
Any administration costs are funded separately, so every dollar donated goes back out when we pay for goods and services on people’s behalf. Nearly all the money stays in the region, because our grants are spent with local businesses and providers.
Individuals and organisations can apply
People apply directly to us, or an application can be made on a person’s behalf by, for example, a social worker, health provider or school staff member. Organisations can also apply for assistance if they meet our funding criteria.
We are confidential and non-judgemental
Our Trustees work with integrity and confidentiality and they assess every application for evidence of hardship and crisis. All applications must confirm that no WINZ or government support is available.
Monthly meetings to consider new applications
Each month (excluding January) people apply to us for help with a huge range of needs. Our 10 volunteer trustees meet on the first Friday of each month to consider the applications and decide how to distribute funds.
We are practical and independent
At the Fifeshire Foundation we can accept applications for all kinds of things, such as firewood, doctor’s bills, food, fridges, uniforms or car seats. If an application is successful we then make the purchase or pay the bill on people’s behalf, as we do not provide cash grants.
Sponsors
We are funded locally by wonderful sponsors and donors from our Nelson Tasman region
The Trust has been able to operate since 1993 because of the vision and generosity of a great many local businesses, councils, trusts and individual donors. We also run fundraising events and we apply for funding from local Councils and trusts.
We receive Support from the following sponsors:
Nelson City Council
Tasman District Council
NBS
Mediaworks
Lone Star Farms
Manuka Street Charitable Trust
New Zealand King Salmon
Zero administration costs COME OUT OF MONEY MEANT FOR GRANTS
Since we began in 1993 our Foundation Manager’s wage has been paid for separately by local businesses. NBS, New Zealand King Salmon and a private Trust continue this tradition today.
These businesses freely donate their services and expertise:
Mediaworks donate radio advertising, stationery, post and photocopying
Printhouse does our printing
HotHouse do our design work
netMaetro design and support our website
Pitt and Moore are our legal advisors
NZ Community Post provide postage free envelopes
The Fifeshire Foundation Board of Trustees
The Fifeshire Foundations has ten Trustees on its board, all of whom dedicate their time and skills to the foundation on a volunteer basis.
We, at the Fifeshire Foundation feel privileged to have such a dedicated and committed team working each month to make a difference to those people in our community that face real hardship and domestic crises every day.
We have a broad range of skills within the group that allow us to make both critical and compassionate decisions. The Fifeshire Foundation Board consists of a former registered psychologist, community advocates, accountant, senior business managers, private trusts representatives, local business owner, financial adviser and a medical professional.
This is an enthusiastic and well-balanced team, with every Trustee bringing their own unique skills and expertise to the foundation
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The trustees and manager of the Fifeshire Foundation care about our community. We are proud to be able to help the cases of hardship we see. We are fortunate that people in our region donate their time and money because that’s the only way we can provide assistance.
Chair, Fifeshire Foundation Trust