Craigs Investment Partners launches giving partnership
Craigs Investment Partners launches strategic giving partnership with Community Foundations NZ on Giving Tuesday
A long-time supporter of communities across the country, Craigs Investment Partners [Craigs]has developed a thoughtful giving programme with Community Foundations of NZ (CFNZ) that is both unique and strategic in nature. Donations to support the greatest needs in each of the 19 communities in which Craigs has a regional office will be made in conjunction with one of the 17 community foundations found around New Zealand where possible. This thoughtful initiative coincides with Giving Tuesday, an international day that celebrates generosity across the globe.
As Craigs is concerned with both immediate and long-term needs in the local communities in which they operate, this giving programme will have three parts:
Christmas
Giving
Craigs will direct money to local
charities in lieu of sending out Christmas gifts across New
Zealand. A Giving Committee established in each Craigs
branch will liaise with their local community foundation to
choose a meaningful recipient in their local area. “We see
a huge benefit to our communities by giving to those with
the greatest needs at a time of the year when we know that
many feel huge pressure financially,” says Craigs Managing
Director, Frank Aldridge.
Workplace
Giving
Beginning in the new year, Craigs
employees around the country will have the opportunity to
participate in payroll Workplace Giving, with the employee
contribution partially matched by the Craigs business. Each
Craigs branch Giving Committee will work with their local
community foundation to determine the most deserving
recipients in their area. CFNZ EO, Eleanor Cater, says that
thoughtful giving is the way of the future. “People like
to give with purpose, since it’s a far more fulfilling way
to give, both for companies and for individuals. This idea
from Craigs is a real win/win, nurturing a purposeful
team-building culture at the same time as helping to build
strong communities.”
Craigs Community
Fund
A giving fund has been established with the
Acorn Foundation, which is located in Tauranga along with
the Craigs head office. Acorn is part of the CFNZ
network--which differs from other forms of philanthropy in
that generous locals set up endowment funds to support
causes that are close to their heart. It is intended that a
portion of the Craigs fund will be distributed annually to
recipients of their choice. Acorn Foundation General
Manager, Lori Luke, says that the Craigs Community Fund will
provide a welcome boost for local charities all across New
Zealand, forever. “The benefit of these kinds of funds is
that it provides yearly distributions to really deserving
local charities. It is amazing to have a national company
like Craigs leading the way in this sort of strategic
giving, and we hope other businesses will follow
suit.”
Philanthropy NZ CE, Sue McCabe, welcomes the partnership. “It’s great to see corporates being thoughtful about how to support the communities they operate in. Strengths of the partnership between Craigs Investment Partners and Community Foundations New Zealand include the level of commitment, and the focus on meeting both immediate and future community needs.”