The Funding Network raises $23,000 in an hour

Wellington generosity supports local charities

Wellington’s first live crowdfunding event for charity raised more than $23,000 in an hour for four very worthy organisations.

The Funding Network (TFN), described as the “Dragon’s Den for charities”, held its inaugural event in the Capital last week, with more than 75 generous Wellingtonians pledging a total of $23,407. The small but enthusiastic crowd filled the auditorium at the City Gallery to hear first from Deputy Mayor Justin Lester and then the four charities as they pitched their causes.

The charities to benefit were:

Common Unity Project of Aotearoa

http://commonunityproject.org.nz/

A community-led initiative which aims to improve the health and wellbeing of the local community. Based at Epuni Primary School, they teach the school’s 110 pupils how to grow and cook their own healthy food, and also have a playgroup, knitting classes and a bicycle library.

Upper Hutt Community Youth Trust

http://www.collisionyc.co.nz

Works with at risk teens in Trentham and Timberlea. Provides a space called Collision - an amazing venue to provide safe social programmes and positive adult role model mentors.

Orientation Aotearoa

http://www.oa.org.nz/

An eight month innovative, hands-on education programme for aspiring change-makers (aged 18 -25). The Wellington-based residential programme provides a diverse curriculum delivered by leading minds from around NZ.

WorkerBe Oasis

A new Wellington group seeking seed funding to start an urban farm, with an aim to grow 4,000kg of organic food by November 2016.

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. Once the crowd warmed up, there was a lot of support for the event which helps smaller charities get the kickstart they need. The guests were keen for a second Wellington event to be held soon.

Julia Capon, Manager of The Gift Trust, one of the key sponsors of The Funding Network*, says: "We know Wellingtonians have huge hearts and are delighted with the success of The Funding Network in the Capital. The atmosphere at the event was amazing and fun, with a lot of people pledging money if others in the room matched their donation.

“Our aim is to support small to medium-sized local organisations for which the funds raised would make a genuinely useful contribution. Our four charities will now be able to extend the great work they do around the Wellington region.”

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 event, with the Macquarie Group Foundation matching one-third of the funds pledged on the night.

*The Funding Network Wellington event was sponsored by The Gift Trust, Macquarie Group Foundation, Macquarie Private Wealth and Wellington City Council with support from Philanthropy NZ and Lassoo Media & PR. TFN NZ is brought to NZ by the Auckland Communities Foundation.

ENDS

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