Acorn Foundation - encouraging giving for the Western BOP

17/06/2026

Did you know that a dedicated group of Acorn Foundation volunteers helps the foundation with our annual distributions to local organisations?

Our Distributions Committee is made up of ten incredible local volunteers, plus three Trustees from Acorn’s Board. One of our Trustees, Trish Jones, serves as our Distributions Committee Chair.

For Acorn donors who leave their fund unrestricted or choose an Area of Interest option, Acorn’s volunteer Distributions Committee reviews applications, looks over financials and meets with lots of organisations to help guide where that support can create the most impact in the Western Bay of Plenty.

As part of Volunteer Week, we want to acknowledge the important role our Distributions Committee volunteers play in Acorn’s work. Their time, dedication and local knowledge help support Acorn’s funding decisions and ensure funding goes where it is needed.

16/06/2026

This weekend Katikati's skatepark is set to be painted by local youth and artist, Kalib Wallace.

A 4-day, hands-on street art activation will take place at the Moore Park skatepark where young people will help create the artwork alongside Kalib's guidance.

An exciting weekend ahead and we can't wait to see the finished project.
Learn more: https://tinyurl.com/anxwzen5

Katikati is getting ready to celebrate a major new addition to its skatepark, with a community art reveal event planned to unveil a bold, youth-led street artwork at Katikati Skatepark.The reveal is p

16/06/2026

Acorn Foundation’s board is made up of a group of locals who are passionate about our region. They are our governing body of nine volunteer trustees who oversee our local, place-based community foundation. They provide oversight of our invested endowments, approve grant-making to local charities, and ably support the staff to connect community resources with local needs.

The Board is led by Chair, Michelle Malcolm, who also sits on the Investment Committee with Steve Napier. Beppie Holm serves as Acorn Deputy Chair.

Audit, Risk And Policies Chair, Rohario Murray is joined on the committee by Trustees Keri Welham and Saima Anis. The Distributions Committee is chaired by Trish Jones with Trustees Ryan McFadden and Larry Bilodeau.

We send a huge thank you to our Board for their leadership and commitment to Acorn’s work to support the Western Bay.

15/06/2026

Community Foundations of Aotearoa NZ recently conducted an incredible survey across the country, asking everyday people how they view community support, and the results were pretty staggering.

No big surprise here - it turns out volunteering is very much part of Kiwi DNA.

75% of respondents gave their time volunteering in the past year alone. The survey also found that, for many Kiwis, they choose to volunteer because it is simply part of their values, with 69.5% saying volunteering reflects who they are.

That sentiment holds very true for the volunteers who help the Acorn Foundation support the Western Bay. Some of their work is visible, and some of it happens quietly in the background. But all of it matters.

This Volunteer Week, we’re celebrating Acorn’s volunteers, and everyone else across Aotearoa New Zealand who gives their time and talents because they care about the community in which they live.

14/06/2026

Today is the first day of New Zealand’s National Volunteer Week for 2026. It’s a special week for us here at the Acorn Foundation because volunteers are a vital part of everything we do.

A lot of people might not know that Acorn’s volunteers outnumber staff by more than 4 to 1.

Acorn’s CEO, Lori Luke, puts it perfectly: “Volunteers make up the beating heart of the Acorn Foundation.”

Over the next week, we’ll be sharing some information about the different volunteer committee groups that assist the Foundation. The important work they do helps us support the Western Bay of Plenty, not just for today, but for generations to come.

We’re so grateful for all the local volunteers, past and present, who share their time and expertise.

12/06/2026

Community events play such a special role in bringing locals together, creating shared experiences, and helping us feel more connected in the Western Bay of Plenty.

Acorn Foundation is proud to be one of the co-funders of the Tauranga Western Bay Community Event Fund, which has granted more than $200,000 to support 23 upcoming events across Tauranga and the Western Bay of Plenty.

This fund supports a mix of sport, arts, culture, environmental initiatives and local celebrations that bring people together. Alongside BayTrust, TECT Community Trust, Tauranga City Council and Western Bay of Plenty District Council, we’re pleased to support the people and organisations bringing these events to life for our region.

Round two is now open and closes on 14 July 2026. Learn more https://www.communityeventfund.nz/blog/post/165838/backing-standout-community-events/

10/06/2026

Finding the right support can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially when services and info are spread across different places.

Youth Voices Action - YVA has launched the 'Youth Portal' — a simple starting point for youth across the Western Bay of Plenty.

Developed with Heretohelpunz, and supported by the Tauranga City Council Youth Working Group, the new portal helps young people find local support, services, opportunities, advice, events and volunteering options in one place.

Acorn Foundation has been proud to support Youth Voices Action in the past, and it’s wonderful to see this work grow into a practical resources for local youth.

The portal is live now, with more development planned over the coming months.

Find the right support fast. Free online help, local services, crisis support and resources for young people in Tauranga & the Bay of Plenty.

09/06/2026

On Saturday we celebrated our second anniversary and were honoured to announce our 2026 recipient charities: Awhina House - He Kaupapa Kotahitanga Trust, St Peters House and Tipu Skills For Life 🩵

This year our funding focus was personal safety and security for women, girls and whānau. Whether it's at home, in intimate relationships, or online, everyone deserves to feel safe. All three organisations are doing vital mahi in this space, and we are proud to support them.

Each organisation received $5,000, and what makes this even more special is that our members played a huge part in choosing them, through both nominations and a final vote. This is truly a fund by our community, for our community.

Since our inception in May 2024, our members have collectively raised just over $60,000.

Thank you to every member whose generosity and engagement makes this possible.

09/06/2026

The newest grant recipients of the collaborative Tauranga Western Bay Community Event Fund have been announced.

We're excited to see these events create a calendar that reflects our region. One that is active, creative, diverse and welcoming, with opportunities for all ages, backgrounds, and interests to get involved.

Read more:

Some of the region’s most recognised events will continue to deliver high-quality experiences for the community, alongside a wide mix of grassroots and first-time events, thanks to the latest funding

05/06/2026

Both Acorn and other members of the wider CFANZ network are incredibly disappointed with the government's budget announcement capping the tax credit for eligible donations at $100k.

At Acorn Foundation, we have received more than $16M in invested living gifts over $100k across the past five years. With a total of $67M in capital added, high value living gifts made up nearly 25% of our total capital.

In light of the looming intergenerational wealth transfer predicted to top $1.6T in New Zealand, this tax credit cap change points the charitable sector in the wrong direction at exactly the wrong time.

45South Community Foundation, Taranaki Foundation, Philanthropy New Zealand, Cancer Society Waikato/Bay of Plenty, Community Foundations of Aotearoa NZ

The Cancer Society warns planned facility in Tauranga is at risk after the Government capped tax rebates for major donors.