The Funding Network raises $46,000 in half an hour

The Funding Network raises $46,000 in half an hour

Kiwi generosity supports local charities

New Zealand’s latest live crowdfunding event for charity raised more than $46,000 in half an hour for four very worthy organisations.

The Funding Network (TFN), described as the “Dragon’s Den for charities”, held its second event at AUT University in Auckland last night, where more than 100 generous Kiwis and the Macquarie Group Foundation pledged more than $46,400.

The charities to benefit this time were:
- Assistance Dogs New Zealand - helps enrich the lives of adults and children living with multiple disabilities by providing Assistance Dogs to promote independence, mobility, confidence and the ability to participate in their communities.
- The Crescendo Trust of Aotearoa - supports young people who are not responding well to traditional education by giving them training and mentoring in music, media and communication. This fosters their creativity and builds life skills.
- Fair Food - Auckland’s first food rescue charity which is both a social and environmental organisation. It rescues fit-to-consume food from retailers and producers that would otherwise go to landfill and redirects it to those most in need through various community groups.
- Young Carers NZ - a network for Kiwi children and young people who look after ill, elderly or disabled love ones. About 8% of young people up to the age of 24 are young carers and the charity provides them with information, support and advice.

Each group had six minutes to pitch their organisation and another six minutes to answer questions, after which the pledging from the crowd began. Donations came thick and fast, ranging from $50 to $1,000. All four charities quickly exceeded their $10,000 target.
“These four terrific organisations are all doing amazing work in their respective areas and will be able to extend their programmes even further, thanks to the generosity of philanthropic Aucklanders,” says Hilary Sumpter, CEO of Auckland Communities Foundation which helps run The Funding Network, with support from Philanthropy New Zealand, The Gift Trust, the AUT University Business School and Macquarie Group.

The Funding Network was launched in London in 2002 by philanthropist and art dealer Dr Frederick Mulder and has since spread around the world, with more than 150 TFN events held, 750 charities supported and at least NZD $13 million raised.

The Macquarie Group Foundation and Macquarie Private Wealth NZ were again key supporters of the Auckland event last night, with the Macquarie Group Foundation matching one-third of the funds pledged on the night.

“It is a privilege to support TFN NZ and help New Zealanders share in such a rewarding evening of giving generously to four very deserving, local charities,” says Laurence Fitzpatrick, Head of Macquarie Private Wealth NZ.

The Funding Network plans to hold a third event in Wellington later this year and then take the concept to other regional cities around the country.

ENDS

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