What’s on for funders in 2022

By Sue McCabe, Chief Executive

The team at Philanthropy New Zealand | Tōpūtanga Tuku Aroha o Aotearoa is pleased to outline our draft calendar of events and professional development for 2022.

We won’t beat around the bush – Covid-19 may still significantly disrupt us next year: making face to face catchups and travel uncertain; causing ongoing online meeting fatigue; and keeping philanthropists, grantmakers and community groups extremely busy as they grapple with the changing and greater community need.

But we’ve had nearly two years of this, so it’s become our new normal! Our member feedback since Covid-19 hit tells us that you want face to face networking opportunities. However, you’re balancing this want against the reality of Covid, are increasingly considering the environmental impact of travelling (😊), and like the accessibility of online offerings.

We’ll be offering many of our services online but also providing face to face opportunities in main centres to connect. The calendar is a draft and will change. We’ve put our stakes in the ground, but, as usual, we’ll continue to add to this programme – usually around hot topics that emerge or where a number of members tell us they’re wanting support.

Many of our events are member only (or non-members attend by approval) but a number are available (at greater cost) for non-members.

Some key points re our 2022 calendar:

·         We’re significantly reworking our grantmaking offering with a uniquely Aotearoa New Zealand focus. Previously we’ve had a wonderful Australian presenter (and you can access her training online at any time if you’re wanting a boost of grantmaking inspiration) but it’s time for an Aotearoa New Zealand-created offering. We’re investing in developing an ongoing programme with both online options and face to face regional training. We are looking for members interesting in paying for this training upfront to help us develop it – then they’ll be able to access training free to get their investment (plus a return) back. This programme will have targeted aspects for grantmaking staff, leadership and trustees. Contact us if you want to know more. And watch this space!

·         In partnership with Tūmanako Consultants, through the Ki te Hoe programme, we’ll be providing further support for funders to build their capacity to support Māori aspirations in a mana-enhancing way.

·         We’re refreshing our funder networks – which offer chances to connect on common issues; hear expert advice; share learnings; find collaboration opportunities and professionally develop. We’ve put special effort into our Climate Action Funders’ Network after considerable membership engagement. Sessions will largely be held online and there’ll be a face to face gathering of four networks in late 2022.

·         We’ve got the launch of Match | Te Puna Taurite in March, an exciting initiative to increase equity,  accessibility and collaboration within the funding system, with benefits to both fundseekers and funders. This will make getting in front of funders easier for community organisations; meanwhile it will provide funders with much-desired additional collaboration mechanisms. It will provide funders with a searchable database of funding opportunities – and give them much greater view of smaller community groups.

·         We have made the decision to move to have an annual Philanthropy Summit (instead of biennial). You’ll hear more about this in 2022 but the first one will be in 2023. We believe it’s important to get the sector together once a year to talk about issues and opportunities of common interest to support you in your work and enable maximum positive impact for Aotearoa New Zealand.

But wait, there’s more! 😊

We’ll continue to scan the environment for activity of interest to philanthropic funders and grantmakers and share this with you; involve you in consultations and produce research of interest; and represent your interests to Government and open doors for members.

Always feel free to be in touch via email, phone or coffee(!). We can connect you with like minds; celebrate your achievement; respond to your requests for help; and hear what’s going on for you to keep informing our service development.

We’ve got our areas of focus over and above the events in the calendar, for example, we’ll continue to offer support around impact investing and housing.

We’ll continue to produce our e-newsletter Giving Matters, a weekly dose of inspiration and news; and our magazine Philanthropy News three times a year. We’ve got our closed channels for funder members; including a Facebook group and Members Hub. These are available to everyone in a member organisation – staff and trustees. If you’ve got queries whether everyone in your team is benefitting from our services, contact us and we can check.

We look forward to growing effective giving with our members in 2022, through inspiring more giving; assisting better giving and ensuring a supportive ecosystem.

Ngā mihi, the team at Philanthropy New Zealand | Tōpūtanga Tuku Aroha o Aotearoa.