Auckland Foundation

What Auckland Foundation does

Auckland Foundation is a New Zealand-registered charitable trust (Charities Register CC44688) operating as the community foundation for the Auckland region (Tāmaki Makaurau). Established in 2017, the foundation manages a portfolio of over 30 named endowment funds, donor-advised funds, geographic funds (North Shore, Hobsonville Point), and thematic funds (Women's Fund, Hauraki Gulf Guardians, Clinton and Joy Whitley paediatric oncology fund). It administers grant programmes including the Grassroots Giving Programme on behalf of The Tindall Foundation and runs the Auckland Together Fund for 2023 weather disaster recovery. Its core technology is a community foundation platform managing charitable funds and endowments, with a DPS Payment Express-integrated online donation portal, donor account login, and electronic tax-receipt generation enabling the 33.33% IRD tax rebate. Auckland Foundation has distributed NZD $18,712,530 to communities cumulatively and NZD $1,137,088 in 2026 alone, targeting outcomes including 1,800+ displaced households (Auckland Together Fund), 27 grassroots organisations funded in 2025, and 30 in 2023.

The foundation generates operating capital through charitable donations (tax-deductible from NZD $5), bequests and legacy giving, Friends of the Foundation memberships at NZD $5,000 annually, and trust resettlement administrative services. Its go-to-market combines direct-to-donor digital engagement (website, newsletter, Facebook/LinkedIn/Instagram) with three professional advisor referral channels (ANZ Private, Kensington Swan, Craigs Investment Partners) and event-driven engagement (Auckland Foundation Dinner, migrant investor events). Customer segments include high-net-worth individuals and families seeking structured philanthropy, professional advisors referring clients, corporate donors, charitable trusts seeking trust resettlement, and grassroots community organisations applying for grants. The organisation operates with 12 staff led by Chief Executive Melody Mobsby and Philanthropy Director Tim Kay, governed by Trustees and chaired (in different sources) by Ian Short and Garth Sinclair, with high-profile ambassadors including former Prime Minister Helen Clark and Sir Michael Jones.

Recent strategic activity centres on partnerships (AUT Foundation for education, Nested Capital for the Arohanui Fund, Auckland Council for Nature Play at Pukekawa) and scaling flagship initiatives such as the Stage 2 Nature Playground at Pukekawa / Auckland Domain (NZD $2,000,000). Operating geographies are concentrated in Auckland (South Auckland, North Shore, Hauraki Gulf) with isolated activity referenced in Vietnam and Kenya.

Name

Auckland Foundation

Legal name

Auckland Foundation

Website

https://aucklandfoundation.org.nz

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Auckland Foundation is a New Zealand-registered charitable trust operating as the community foundation for Auckland (Tāmaki Makaurau), managing donor-advised funds, endowments, and grant programmes for individuals, families, businesses, professional advisors, and resettling charitable trusts across the region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Foundation / Philanthropic Services

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Private Foundations (BPAGAKAA), Capacity Building & Nonprofit Infrastructure Funders (BPAGAKAO)

Keywords

• Community foundation services
• Charitable fund management
• Donor advised funds
• Grant administration
• Philanthropic giving services

Headquarters

HQ city

Auckland

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Charitable Donations: Receives donations from individuals, families, businesses, and organizations into various named funds. Donations qualify for tax rebates of up to 33.33% from IRD.
2. Bequests and Legacy Giving: Manages bequests left in wills, providing perpetual endowment funds that generate ongoing support for causes donors care about.
3. Trust Resettlement Services: Provides administrative, compliance, investment, and governance services for existing charitable trusts resettling with the foundation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Auckland Foundation operates as a community foundation for the Auckland (Tāmaki Makaurau) region, managing charitable endowment funds, donor advised funds, bequests, and trust resettlement on behalf of individuals, families, businesses, and charitable trusts. It collects donations, distributes grants to community organizations through various grant programmes, and handles the administration, compliance, investment, and governance of charitable giving.

Product overview

Auckland Foundation is a community foundation for the Auckland region offering a portfolio of charitable funds, granting programs, and professional services. The core offering includes the Auckland Endowment Fund, donor-advised funds, and specialized thematic funds (Women's Fund, North Shore Fund, Hauraki Gulf Guardians). It administers granting programs including the Grassroots Giving Programme (as Tindall Foundation's Local Donation Manager), and manages over 30 named funds and scholarships. Services include trust resettlement, bequest creation, and professional advisor partnerships. The organization also runs major initiatives like the Nature Play at Pukekawa project and the Auckland Together Fund for disaster relief.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Auckland Endowment Fund A permanent endowment fund for the long-term benefit of the Auckland region, building a lasting legacy for future generations of Aucklanders.
• Donor Advised Funds A flexible giving vehicle allowing donors to recommend grants to charitable causes while Auckland Foundation handles administration, governance, compliance, and investment management.
• Auckland Together Fund A disaster relief fund established to help Auckland communities recover and rebuild following the January/February 2023 weather disasters.
• Hauraki Gulf Guardians Fund An environmental fund supporting the protection and regeneration of the Hauraki Gulf, focusing on shellfish restoration and regeneration of waterways.
• Women's Fund A focused giving fund supporting and unlocking the potential of Tāmaki Makaurau's women and girls through strategic philanthropy.
• North Shore Fund A geographic fund enabling locals to give back to the North Shore community, providing financial support to charities and community groups.
• Grassroots Giving Programme A granting programme in which Auckland Foundation acts as Local Donation Manager for The Tindall Foundation, distributing donations to community-led initiatives in Auckland focused on parents, carers, young children, and equitable access to essential needs.
• Auckland Regional Parks Legacy Fund An environmental fund established to preserve and protect Auckland's regional parks for generations to come.
• Hobsonville Point Community Grants Fund A community grants fund encouraging and financially supporting residents, groups, and not-for-profits in Hobsonville Point to develop activities, events, or community service projects.
• Clinton and Joy Whitley Fund A health fund established through Joy Whitley's bequest to support families dealing with child cancer, funding projects and initiatives in paediatric oncology.
• Daphne Gretta Mary Stevens Community Music Scholarship An annual $3,000 scholarship supporting local young musicians in South Kaipara, established by music teacher Daphne Stevens.
• Bequest Services Professional services helping donors create legacies through wills, providing trust resettlement, compliance, administration, investment, and governance support in perpetuity.
• Trust Resettlement Services Administrative, compliance, investment, and governance services for existing charitable trusts seeking to resettle with the foundation for professional management.
• Friends of the Foundation Membership An annual membership programme requiring a $5,000 investment, providing connection with impact creators, accelerated development of transformational legacy, and increased collaboration opportunities.
• Professional Advisors Partnership Partnership services for financial advisors, lawyers, and accountants to help their clients develop philanthropic plans and establish charitable funds.

Quantifiable outcome

• $18,712,530 total distributed to communities
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• AUT FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 May 2025Partnership titled 'Transforming Lives Through Education - A Partnership for Auckland's Future' focused on innovation, next generation, pathways to education, and migrant/refugee pathways to education.
• Community Foundations of New Zealand (CFNZ)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational body for community foundations in New Zealand. Auckland Foundation is a member, promoting the community foundation model and sharing best practices across the sector.
• The Tindall FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAuckland Foundation serves as Local Donation Manager for The Tindall Foundation, distributing funds to grassroots organizations in Auckland under TTFs focus on intergenerational wellbeing for Aotearoa.
• Kensington SwanminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLaw firm refers clients to Auckland Foundation for charity establishment and trust resettlement services.
• ANZ PrivateminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBanking institution referring private banking clients seeking philanthropy services to Auckland Foundation.
• Craigs Investment PartnersminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInvestment firm working with Auckland Foundation to help clients consider philanthropic goals.
• Auckland CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial endorsement of Auckland Together Fund for 2023 weather disaster recovery. Auckland Foundation partners with council on Nature Play at Pukekawa project.
• Migrant Investor & Entrepreneur Association (MIEA)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-hosted event at ANZ to educate migrants about philanthropy opportunities in New Zealand.
• Nature Play at Pukekawa Project PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Auckland Council on Nature Play at Pukekawa/Auckland Domain project. Includes mana whenua and community stakeholders in design and construction.
• Outboard Boating Club (OBC)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerGulf Guardians Partner working to restore Hauraki Gulf through shellfish restoration and regeneration of waterways.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Acorn Foundation: Tauranga/Western Bay of Plenty community foundation applying the same pooled-fund, donor-advised, perpetual endowment model for regional New Zealand philanthropy.
• Wellington Regional Community Foundation: Regional community foundation operating the same community foundation model in Wellington, providing donor-advised funds, bequest services, and grantmaking — directly comparable operating model to Auckland Foundation.
• Community Foundations of New Zealand: National umbrella body of which Auckland Foundation is a member, supporting and promoting the community foundation model across New Zealand — a structural peer in the same ecosystem.
• Foundation North: The largest community foundation in New Zealand (formerly Auckland Community Foundation) — directly comparable regional community foundation operating in the same Auckland catchment with donor-advised funds, endowments, and grantmaking programs.
• The Tindall Foundation: National New Zealand family philanthropy foundation and current partner of Auckland Foundation (via the Grassroots Giving Programme). Highly comparable grantmaking and community-fund deployment model.

Others

• Charities Commission (New Zealand) — regulatory counterpart: Regulator of New Zealand charities including Auckland Foundation (registered CC44688); included as the structural counterpart in the same charitable ecosystem rather than a direct competitor.

Broad incumbents

• Public Trust (New Zealand): State-owned New Zealand trustee services organization providing wills, trusts, and charitable trust administration — a broad incumbent competitor in trust resettlement and legacy giving services.
• Perpetual Guardian: Established New Zealand trustee and philanthropy services provider offering donor-advised funds, trust administration, and endowment management — broader incumbent competing for the same trust resettlement and bequest work.
• San Francisco Foundation: Large US community foundation with comparable donor-advised fund, bequest, and community grantmaking programs — useful comparable for institutional scale and operating model benchmarking.

Regional players

• Canterbury Community Trust / Rātā Foundation: Regional community trust/foundation in Canterbury applying a comparable perpetual endowment and community grantmaking model in a different New Zealand region — useful peer for benchmarking regional foundation scale and impact.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Auckland-Foundation-170116499698700
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/auckland-foundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/aucklandfoundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Auckland Foundation