As we step into a new financial year this July, we’re taking a moment to reflect and celebrate the growing momentum we’re building together through local generosity.

Thanks to the ongoing support of our donors, we’re proud to have just wrapped up our biggest giving year to date, distributing over $348,000 in funding across 165 grants to local organisations, students, and community initiatives throughout the 2024–25 financial year.

This past year’s giving at a glance:

  • $348,946 distributed
    • $152,834 | Annual Funding Round
    • $17,250 | Scholarships
    • $178,862 | Other Donor-directed Giving
  • 165 grants awarded
  • $1,365,754 now granted since 2016

In FY25, our funding supported a range of focus areas including children and youth, health and wellbeing, aged support, education, arts and culture, environment, and community strengthening.

“Taranaki is home to so many incredible organisations doing essential mahi. Day-to-day costs like salaries, power bills and stocking food shelves, are are often the hardest to fund. That’s where local giving makes an immediate impaact. As our endowment grows, so does our ability to support more of these groups, now and into the future.” — Theresa Cayley, Community Engagement Manager, Taranaki Foundation.

Whether it’s a $200 or $20,000 donation, every gift tells a story of generosity, intention and impact.

Among the most modest was a $500 grant to Box Office Boxing New Plymouth, to purchase Youth Academy t-shirts.

“It is the best feeling when you present the kids with a shirt and they wear it with pride. This was only achievable with the grant received from Taranaki Foundation, and we can’t thank them enough.”— Jake Rapira, Head Coach, Box Office Boxing

A $5,000 donation on behalf of The Tindall Foundation, enabled Te Rau o Rongo Charitable Trust to launch a website and brand.

“We are so grateful for the support that’s helped us elevate our organisation and establish a presence online.”
— Te Rau o Rongo Team

Among the larger grants made this year was an $18,692 donation through the Taranaki Hauora Fund to support the 2024 Taranaki Foundation Emergence Art Awards. Held at Percy Thomson Gallery, this biennial competition showcased 130 entries across 22 categories — a true celebration of the creative talent of our young and emerging artists across the region.

Scholarships are a meaningful way for donors to invest in young people and support their potential. This year, $17,250 in donor-directed scholarships was awarded across seven awards helping local students take the next step in their education journeys.

“I’m incredibly grateful to be awarded this scholarship. It will ease the financial pressure and allow me to focus more on my studies. I’m also excited to gain practical experience in journalism.” – Libby Delehanty, inaugural Fergusson Fund Media Scholarship recipient.

We also love partnering with Taranaki Youth Boost, which provided 46 grants of $500 over the last year, helping to cover costs like sports equipment, music lessons, travel, training, and more – supporting local tamariki and rangatahi to pursue their dreams.

In addition to our grant making, Taranaki Foundation proudly partners on key community-led projects that help strengthen our region.

Over the past financial year, this has included supporting the Ngāmotu Marae project in partnership with Ngāti Te Whiti, launching the Rural Medical Immersion Programme  in Hāwera to boost rural healthcare and helping support Te Whare o Tapatahi—YMCA’s new rough sleeping shelter in partnership with New Plymouth District Council. We also celebrated the opening of Destination Kāwaroa, a dream first sparked by Bryce and Delwyn Barnett that is now almost ready to be fully realised. We’re excited to celebrate this milestone with the community in August. 

Thanks to the support of our donors, supporters and partners, we’re building something lasting. Together, we’re turning local generosity into action and values into legacy.

Our next annual funding round opens 1 September 2025.