Geyser's gifts to community exceed $1m

Jan Bolton's Geyser Community Fund has helped local woman Deidre Monga twice in her studies to become a nurse. Photo/supplied

The Geyser Community Foundation has gifted more than $1 million on behalf of a growing number of donors since it first began making distributions in 2008.

Foundation chairman Pat Brown said this milestone was a wonderful tribute to the generosity of people in Rotorua and Taupo.

"First established in 2007 with no money, the foundation is the result of local people understanding that they can do good things with their charitable intentions, and great things when they partner with others."

The foundation acts as a bridge that connects people who have money to give with those who have causes.

The foundation now has a pool of funds that has grown to more than $4 million as of March 31.

In addition, it has an estimated $12 million pledged in people's wills.

The amount of money that has gone back to the community since 2008 has now reached more than $1 million.

"This year alone, gifts totalling $92,800 from donor-advised funds have supported a variety of charitable causes in the Rotorua and Taupo district communities," Mr Brown said.

"We look forward to the day when we have our first $100 million so together we can do more."

One of the foundation's "hands on" donators is Jan Bolton, who set up the Kaingaroa Roading Fund in 2010.

The fund provides an annual scholarship for local residents who have completed their secondary school education or who are in their final year of secondary school.

She said giving through the foundation was simple and satisfying.

"My fund allows me to be involved with decision-making and also gives me access to Geyser's expertise and community networks so I feel confident my giving will continue to be effective long after my lifetime."

Five local scholarships have been awarded from the Kaingaroa Roading Fund including nursing student Deidre Monga in 2010, Steve Schenk in 2012, Audra Higgins in 2013, Marina Warren in 2015 and Deidre Monga again in 2016.

James Dodds Memorial Fund

The memory of a young Rotorua man who loved mountain biking is living on thanks to a fund set up in his name.

The James Dodds Memorial Fund, set up under the Geyser Community Foundation, has just made its first donation to the community.

The fund was established in 2012 by Gabby Molloy, who wanted to honour her then long-time partner's legacy by creating a lasting gift in his name.

More than $50,000 was raised by the Rotorua Mountain Bike Club and other donors to establish the fund.

Mr Dodds, known as "Dodzy", died in 2012 after being shot in a hunting accident.

The income will be used to maintain a mountain bike skills park that was built in memory of Dodzy by the Rotorua Mountain Bike Club.

In time the fund will help maintain and develop community facilities for mountain biking and associated sporting and leisure activities in the Rotorua district.

Geyser Trustees approved the first gift of $1,500 be made available to the Rotorua Trails Trust which has taken over responsibility for Dodzy's Skills Park from the Rotorua Mountain Bike Club.

The money will be used to buy equipment, including an electric wheelbarrow and square-mouth shovels to help shape the jumps for the volunteers who maintain the park.

People are welcome to make further donations to keep it growing so that more mountain bike and associated leisure activities can be established in the local community.

Local charities to get gifts from Geyser's donors
BayTrust Rescue Helicopter
Big Sisters Big Brothers Rotorua
Riding for the Disabled Rotorua
Ronald McDonald Family Retreat
Rotorua Hospital Chaplaincy Trust
Rotorua SPCA
Rotorua St John
St Chad's Communication Centre
Rotorua Victim Support
Canteen Rotorua