Robin Hood Foundation Raises Nearly $200,000

Robin Hood Foundation Raises Nearly $200,000 In One Night

MEDIA RELEASE For Immediate Release

ROBIN HOOD FOUNDATION RAISES NEARLY $200,000 IN ONE NIGHT – SETTING FUNDRAISING RECORD FOR CHARITY AUCTIONEER

Auckland, November 17 2002 --The spirit of Robin Hood was alive and well at the Robin Hood Foundation’s launch party and inaugural charity auction, making this innovative, new philanthropic force nearly $200,000 ‘richer’.

The amount raised will support the work of the Foundation, a totally new way of doing business with the non-profit sector, in its first year. The figure sets a new fundraising record for Auckland’s ‘million-dollar man’ charity auctioneer, Mike Williams, who earned the million-dollar man label after raising more than $1 million at fundraising auctions last year. “It was the single biggest charity auction I have ever conducted, even though there were only 24 items for sale,” he said. “The overwhelming success of the auction is a tribute to the Foundation and reflects the immense support and goodwill it has got among the business community.”

Michael William’s previous record for a fundraiser was set prior to the last America’s Cup at an auction of Cup memorabilia, which raised $170,000. Since then his single biggest auctions have raised sums of $150,000 and $50,000. The Foundation’s gala event held on October 30 was attended by some of New Zealand’s top CEOs as well as emerging business high-flyers and leading corporates. About 200 media and Foundation business partners and supporters attended the launch held in the cathedral chambers of St Matthews in the City.

The charity media auction of mainly print, radio and television advertising space was conducted by Mike Williams from the pulpit and attracted brisk bidding, with Valerie Riley, GM of Elizabeth Arden (New Zealand) Ltd, successfully securing the highest number of items of any company present .

“This was a huge amount to raise in one night, especially when you consider that the foundation is new to the charity scene, City Missioner and Robin Hood Foundation board member Diane Robertson said. “The Foundation is proving to be a much-needed vehicle for corporates and charity organisations to work together. The strengths we bring to each other to form meaningful relationships through the Foundation go beyond the old-fashioned charity model and show that non-profits have a lot to offer corporates, and vice versa.”

The Foundation will act as a ‘marriage broker’ between New Zealand’s business and non-profit sector. Performing due diligence on non-profits before partnering them with corporates and moving beyond simply financial support to encompass board directorships, coaching and accountability.

Foundation corporate members include Coca-Cola Oceania, Griffins, Microsoft, ACP magazines, Kellogg’s, Saatchi and Saatchi, INL Magazines, Elizabeth Arden, Bendon, Kimberley Clark, Mainland, Lowe Worldwide, Universal McCann, Restaurant Brands, Progressive Woolworths and INL Newspapers.

Prepared for the Robin Hood Foundation by Communicator

Contacts: Jude Mannion, Foundation Founder and Director, (09) 418 0046

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