Peter McKenzie Project will fund $15million worth of good ideas for 20 years

Good ideas will be funded by the Peter McKenzie Project for 20 years. Photo / 123RF

Bright ideas can step into reality after a trust announced it will fund the good ones for 20 years to the tune of $15 million.

The Peter McKenzie Project launched its offer this week to support ideas that can reduce poverty.

Project director Iain Hines said it was about long term, systemic change.

"Poverty and hardship are very complex and there are a lot of factors why some get stuck in that place and others don't.

"Complex problems need thoughtful, joined-up solutions and a long time to turn around. Most funding doesn't have those long-term horizons."

J R McKenzie Trust established the project which is named after the trust founder's late grandson Peter McKenzie who died in 2012. McKenzie seeded the idea of spending all its funds on one focus over 20 years.

Rather than projects with a direct impact, like handing out food, the trust is looking for ideas with "significant impact" that will change the way the country operates. Hines said this could be the economy, education, employment, benefit or health system.

But any ideas are welcome, even if the applicant doesn't want to be the one to carry it out.

Applications must come in before the end of September and will be awarded on merit. Hines said they would decide at the time how many projects they were able to fund.

"We're in the market for ideas."

The Project is intended to complement the work of the J R McKenzie Trust.

You can submit an idea here.