Foundation hailed for $580,000 boost

Foundation for Youth Development regional manager Dan Allen-Gordon says a $50,000 Acorn Foundation grant will go a long way for the region's children. Photo / File

A $50,000 Acorn Foundation grant will go a long way towards helping the Foundation for Youth Development's work with 2400 Western Bay schoolkids.

The latest round of Acorn Foundation community grants, delivered last week, will spread $580,000 to community groups and charities across the Western Bay of Plenty.

Among this was a $50,000 grant to Foundation for Youth Development, which regional manager Dan Allen-Gordon said would be used towards the Kiwi Can programme, run in 10 Western Bay schools reaching 2400 children. Kiwi Can teaches primary and intermediate children values such as integrity, respect and resilience.

The $50,000 grant is the second of three major grants worth a total $120,000 that Acorn Foundation will be making to Foundation for Youth development over three years, the largest grant ever by Acorn.

Mr Allen-Gordon said without the grant, the Kiwi Can programme would only reach about 1800 children.

"It's great they have the confidence we're worthy and they know we're going to achieve the outcomes we say we will." Mr Allen-Gordon said Acorn trustees and donors had seen the Kiwi Can programme in action and Foundation for Youth Development sends them regular milestone reports.

"The reports show social connectiveness is extremely high and helps with reducing bad behaviour. Kids are always engaged and love Kiwi Can. If we meet parents after school, they tell us their kids love it."

Mr Allen-Gordon said there were many generous people in the Bay of Plenty who contributed to community groups and organisations via Acorn.

Another major beneficiary of this round of grants was Waipuna Hospice, which received a total $38,674.

Chief Executive Richard Thurlow said the grant was a considerable amount, especially as the hospice had to rely on fundraising year round.

"It amazes me how philanthropic people are," Dr Thurlow said. "We have to raise over $40,000 a week with our shops and other fundraising initiatives so to get that sort of money in one hit is really useful for us."

Acorn Foundation general manager Nicky Wilkins said 95 community groups and charities had benefited from this round of grants. "We are hugely grateful to our donors for sharing our vision of making our region a better place and it's really humbling to see this level of generosity."