The Brett Motley Sound Foundation

24/08/2025

This is Brett and me in 1996, at primary school. Brett was my brother — creative, kind, and someone who loved music deeply. In 2011, we lost him to su***de, and my world changed forever.

In his memory, I’ve founded The Brett Motley Sound Foundation — a registered charity dedicated to helping children and young people who face financial hardship access musical instruments and lessons.

✨ Our purpose is simple but powerful:
To give tamariki and rangatahi the chance to discover the healing, hope, and joy that music brings — just as it did for Brett.

By supporting this foundation, you’re not only honouring Brett’s life, but you’re helping create opportunities for kids to find their sound, their confidence, and their future.

✨ Giving Back
Through my work with EmpowerHER Coaching Collective, I donate 5% of all proceeds to The Brett Motley Sound Foundation — a charity I founded in honour of my brother. These funds help provide music scholarships and instruments for young people facing financial hardship, giving them access to the healing and hope that music brings.

This is Brett’s legacy. This is his gift to others. 🎶

08/08/2025

Brett Motley Sound Fund
The Brett Motley Sound Foundation was set up by Samantha Smith in honour of her brother Brett, who passed away in 2011 from su***de. Brett was creative, kind and deeply moved by music. It was his outlet, his comfort and his way of connecting with the world. In the years since his passing, Samantha wanted to create something special that would carry his name forward – not just in memory, but in meaning.

The foundation that this fund supports, exists to give children and young people who are struggling or facing financial hardship the chance to experience the healing, confidence and connection that music can offer. Through scholarships for music lessons and access to instruments, the foundation aims to create opportunities for tamariki and rangatahi to find their voice, their rhythm and their hope. This is Brett’s legacy – and it’s one way of turning grief into something that gives, forever.

All donations made to the Brett Motley Sound Fund will be prudently invested, distributing the investment returns earned to support youth in music through the Brett Motley Sound Foundation, so all gifts will keep growing and giving, now and forever.

https://hawkesbayfoundation.org.nz/give/our-funds/ Our Funds | Hawkes Bay Foundation

Our Funds Giving to specific causes close to your heart Hawke’s Bay Foundation has established a range of dedicated funds that will benefit specific causes or organisations in our community. Every gift you make to Hawke’s Bay Foundation is invested, protected and grown, meaning that your generos...

22/07/2025

In loving memory of Brett Motley — 5% of all coaching proceeds from EmpowerHER Coaching Collective go toward helping local youth access musical instruments and music lessons, so they can find hope, healing, and creative expression through music.