The board of Manukau Community Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of Mark Bentley as our new Chief Executive in late June 2009.

For the most recent four years Mark was General Manager of the New Zealand Leadership Institute, a leadership research and development centre based at the University of Auckland Business School. Prior to that, he managed the Business School's "world class business school" fundraising campaign as Director of Marketing and Advancement. Mark has lived in New Zealand for eight years having emigrated from the UK in 2001.

"There's no doubt that money supply is tighter but the real question is what's going to happen as the impact of the recession deepens?"

Marion Webster, Trustee of the Manukau Community Foundation, and Chairperson of the Melbourne Community Foundation, shares her thoughts on philanthropy in tougher economic times.  Read the entire article...

" lose your colours, not your lives".

They are also putting their "money where their mouths are" to help youth reach their potential in the hope that others may do the same!

The recently released report from the UK Charities Commission¹ has some interesting findings on just how much people do trust their local charities and the factors that influence that trust.

According to the press release issued by the UK Charities Commission "More people are giving time and goods to charity now than said they did three years ago as public trust has increased.

A generous donation has been granted towards supporting youth development to the Papatoetoe Boxing Club.

This is in line with the wishes of a donor to the Manukau Community Foundation who requests to remain anonymous.

The April 1 increase in the tax rebates that are now available on charitable donations have been well publicised in the professional media but perhaps not so well profiled in mainstream media.

New Government legislation now means there is a significant increase in the tax rebates available to personal and company charitable donations.

The Board of Trustees advise that after over 7 years service working for the Manukau Community Foundation strengthening communities that the CEO has resigned her position to pursue other opportunities.

The Board wishes her well with her future endeavours.

The Manukau Community Foundation congratulates Frucor Beverages Ltd (New Zealand) for being the recipient of the Manukau Community Foundation Business Contribution to the Community Award 2008.

This award was presented at the Westpac Manukau Business Excellence Awards ceremony in September.

Helping new settlers to ‘survive and thrive' is the theme of the latest community grants awarded by the Manukau Community Foundation.

Just under $50,000 has been granted to 5 community groups which provide a range of social support services to new settlers.

It must be a Manukau ‘thing' but offering food is a sure fire way to get people to take time out of their busy schedules!

Our thanks to the legal, accounting and banking professionals who joined us in May for a lunch to meet our newest Trustee Marion Webster and to join in the unofficial launch of our Professional Advisor Network.