Concern Over Universities Seeking Donation

Charity Expresses Concern Over Universities Seeking Funding Through Donation

Arthritis New Zealand has expressed concern over today’s Dominion Post article, which reported on Tertiary Education Minister Steven Joyce encouraging universities to chase funding by donation.

“Putting even more pressure on the philanthropic dollar is not the answer in finding more funding for universities in New Zealand.” says Sandra Kirby, Chief Executive of Arthritis New Zealand.

“With the country recovering from a recession and in a period where corporate sponsorships are down or even worse non-existent, it is not the time to add universities to the overcrowded list of organisations desperately seeking more funding through donations.”

Every year it costs Arthritis New Zealand over $5 million to provide essential services to arthritis sufferers throughout New Zealand. The government fund approximately 12% of the charity’s budget, with the majority of the organisation’s funds being raised from the New Zealand public give through activities like a national lottery, street appeal, and individual donations, Trusts and Foundations plus local fundraising events.

There are more than half a million arthritis sufferers in New Zealand and 140 different arthritis conditions. Arthritis is the single greatest cause of disability in New Zealand, and has no known cure.

ENDS

© Scoop Media