PRESS RELEASE
19 March 2009

Foundation Supports Call For Tax Cut Donations

The Foundation for Youth Development is supporting a call by Prime Minister John Key for New Zealanders who don’t intend to spend tax cuts to donate the money to charity instead.

Mr Key is reported to have called for the donations to charities at a Philanthropy New Zealand conference yesterday.

Foundation for Youth Development mountaineer and co-founder, Graeme Dingle, said during these tight economic times, charities were really having to think ‘outside the square’ in order to raise funds so that they could continue to do the good work that they perform in the community.

“Any additional financial support that charities can get from New Zealanders particularly at this present time, regardless of how big or small that might be can collectively make a huge difference.”

Earlier this week, the Foundation for Youth Development unveiled its own novel way of raising funds via a ‘Non-event of the Year ‘– a non-traditional, no frills, no nonsense fundraising initiative.

“The six week ‘Non-Event of the Year’ campaign calls for New Zealanders to forgo the usual charity dinners and instead go to www.non-event.org.nz and purchase a ticket to the best non-event they’ll never attend!”

People can either simply donate $20 to the Foundation or select one of five different ticket options for the Non-Event of the Year, starting at $50 and going up to $1,000.

Funds raised during the six week campaign will be used by the Foundation for Youth Development to further its programmes. The Foundation currently helps approximately 17,000 young New Zealanders each year via its Project K, Kiwi Can and Stars programmes.

ENDS

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