New sustainability fund for Boys’ High

MEDIA RELEASE
5 February 2018

New sustainability fund for Boys’ High

The Board of Trustees have established the Gisborne Boys’ High School Endowment Fund at the Sunrise Foundation to help provide future sustainability for the school.

Gisborne Boys’ Highs School (GBHS) Board of Trustees Chairman, Ian Ruru, says the board felt it was important to establish the fund as a vehicle for their loyal alumni to support the school.

“The board hopes the endowment fund will be a way for them to show their support to the school. We are optimistic that together with our community and whanau we will build a valuable taonga for our sons and future generations.”

Ian added that “all schools operate in a tough environment, funding is always tight, and we have to be smart in finding ways to increase our subsidiary income.”

“With this modest start, our endowment fund won’t start paying dividends in the short term, but in the long term it is important to grow a meaningful fund and create a significant legacy for the school.”

Andrew Turner, GBHS Principal, says working in partnership with the community to grow the fund aligns nicely with the schools kaupapa of ‘Together, Stronger’.

“Although I’ve only been in this role for a short time, I’ve already seen the wider community engagement with the school. There is real pride and connection to Boys’ High for so many in the community.”

He added that although there is high immediate need, he is committed to helping students understand sustainability and future proofing.

“We will be starting this year with a challenge to Year 13 students to undertake fundraising for the fund. It’ll be up to them, under the leadership of Head Boy Dylan Hall, to think of ways for our students to raise funds to help the school be sustainable in the future.”

Glenda Stokes, Sunrise Executive Officer, says the team at Boys’ High do a fantastic job, but the business of running a school is a phenomenal task and, as with many schools, funding constraints are a considerable challenge.

“We are excited to work with them to build their fund, to help ensure the continued success of the school and to help future leaders in their mission to challenge young men to develop and achieve their potential.”

All donations to the Gisborne Boys’ High School Endowment Fund will be invested, protected and grown to keep up with inflation. The surplus investment income will be returned to Gisborne Boys’ High School each year.

Ends

Notes for editor

• The Sunrise Foundation raises funds from donations and legacies and invests them for the long term (endowment funds).
• Income from investments is used to increase endowments in line with inflation. Surplus income is granted to charities, organisations and needy causes in the Gisborne District only.
• All money raised here, stays here.
• Local Gisborne people have gifted $1.9 million in donations and $7 million in promised bequests to The Sunrise Foundation since October 2014.
• Donations gifted to the Sunrise General Fund ensure we can respond to our communities needs as they change. Income from the Sunrise General Fund is used to provide grants in our annual funding round.
• Donors can support their favourite charities or causes through a special purpose endowment fund, meaning their chosen charity will be supported by their donation forever.
• Although new to New Zealand community foundations have been operating successfully in North America for over 100 years.
• Sunrise is one of fifteen independent community foundations in New Zealand.
• The Sunrise Foundation was launched by The Warehouse founder Sir Stephen Tindall in October 2014.
• Community Foundations New Zealand and The Tindall Foundation support Sunrise with guidance, encouragement and sharing of resources.
• Colin Christie, Sunrise vice chair, is on the board of Community Foundations NZ.
• Sunrise has one funding round per annum. Applications are open to charitable organisations in the Gisborne District and/or organisations delivering charitable projects in the Gisborne District.
• Funding applications are assessed by the Sunrise Grants Committee.
• In our first three funding rounds we awarded 61 grants to 54 worthy causes across the arts, community, education, environment, health and sports communities in the Gisborne/Tairawhiti District, with a total value of $108,000.

Grant recipients over the last three years are Alzheimers Society Gisborne, Centre Stage, Citizens Advice Bureau Gisborne, City of Gisborne Cadet Unit, Diabetes Gisborne, Eastland Kart Club, Eastwoodhill Arboretum, EIT Students Association, Gisborne Boys High School, Gisborne City Vintage Railway, Gisborne Concert Band, Gisborne East Coast Cancer Society, Gisborne International Music Competition, Gisborne Land Search & Rescue, Gisborne Riding For Disabled, Gisborne Rowing Club, Gisborne Unity Theatre, Gisborne Volunteer Centre, Gisborne Youth Sports Charitable Trust, Gisborne/Tairawhiti Regional Science & Tecnology Fair 2018, Growing Through Grief, Hackfalls Aboretum, Hearing Assistance, Heart Foundation Gisborne, Horouta Waka Hoe Club, Hospice Tairawhiti, Ilminster Intermediate, Ka Pai Kaiti, Kaiti School, Kids Can Charitable Trust, Longbush Eco Sanctuary, Mangapapa Playcentre, Mangapapa Union Church, Matapuna Training Trust, Mind Lab, Ngati Porou Hauora, Pakirikiri Marae, Poverty Bay Woolcrafters, SLSNZ Eastern Region, St Johns Ruatoria, Swim for Life Tairawhiti, Tairawhiti Beneficiary Advocacy Trust, Tairawhiti Community Law Centre, Tairawhiti Environment Centre, Tairawhiti Multicultural Council, Tairawhiti Technology Trust, Tauawhi Men’s Centre, Te Hā Sestercentennial Trust, Te Ora Hau Te Tairawhiti. The Aurora Education Foundation Charitable Trust, Turanganui Schools Maori Cultural Festival, Victim Support Tairawhiti, Waikohu Health, Whinray Eco Trust.

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