Named endowment funds
A separate named endowment fund will be established when your donations total $50,000 or more, you can choose:-
- To have the fund in your name, your family name or any name of your choice.
- Which charities or causes will receive grants from the income from your fund.
- To receive annual reports on earnings and distributions from your named endowment fund.
Margie and Bill Thorpe
Bill and Margie Thorpe established a named endowment fund at Sunrise to support Eastwoodhill Arboretum and Hospice Tairāwhiti.
Moving into retirement Bill and Margie have a desire to recognise the satisfaction and enjoyment they have derived from their involvement in the community. They see Sunrise as a way to enable a lasting contribution back to their community.
Margie says they chose Eastwoodhill as “we feel it is unique and we are both very supportive of the continuation and development of the arboretum”.
Bill says it was “the opportunity to participate in the very generous $ for $ matching commitment by the JN Williams Memorial Trust which provided added incentive”.
They both recognise Hospice Tairāwhiti for its exceptional work in end of life care, the large volunteer component, and the increasing need for qualified staff and access to specialist equipment.
Bill and Margie say they are "enthusiastic about the ability to establish a perpetual endowment which will be continuously managed by professional investment advisers".
“Our endowment fund is an opportunity to give back to the community who have given us so much and to see it benefit our chosen charities while we are still alive.”
Bob and Aileen Harris gifted $1.38m to Sunrise in their will
Bob and Aileen Harris were salt of the earth rural folk who worked hard for what they achieved. They gifted a $1.38 million legacy to Sunrise and requested an endowment fund be set up in their names.
Their wish was that half the income from their fund be included in Sunrise’s general funding round to help the most needy in our community every year. They chose Waipaoa Farm Cadet Training Trust and Eastland Rescue Helicopter as beneficiaries of the remaining half.
The income from their named endowment fund will be granted in their name every year, forever.
Read more about Bob and Aileen's story.
Holdsworth Family fund supports the arts
Gisborne Homeschool Drama Group received a grant from the Dame Bronwen and Dr Peter Holdsworth Family Endowment Fund at Sunrise to help them stage C S Lewis’ The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe
Gisborne Homeschool Drama Group has been doing annual performances since 2015. In 2019 they received a grant from the Dame Bronwen and Dr Peter Holdsworth Family Endowment Fund at Sunrise to help them stage C S Lewis’ The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.
Their annual performances encourage children and youth, both home educated learners and traditionally educated students, to engage with the arts.
An important goal is to make theatre arts accessible to families at an affordable price. They promote their performances to low decile schools for free, or on a koha basis, and seek to offer children who would be unlikely to attend a theatre performance the opportunity to enjoy a high quality classic literature play adaption performed by peers of similar ages.
A long-time supporter and advocate of the arts Dame Bronwen believes creativity is an integral part of every aspect of our lives.
“Vibrancy and diversity of the arts is a vital component in enhancing the cultural, social and economic life of our community. Creativity is an integral part of every aspect of our lives – through all stages of education, culture and technology.”
Dame Bronwen went to see the play and says “the individual performances were terrific. My grandchildren and I absolutely loved it. Congratulations to Gisborne Homeschool Drama Group and parents for yet another successful production.”
Dame Bronwen and Dr Peter Holdsworth choose the recipients for the grant from their named family fund each year.
Perpetuity appealed to Les
Les McGreevy didn't think of himself as a philanthropist, despite the 50 odd years he spent volunteering his time and donating money to charities locally and nationally.
Les was a regular supporter of Sunrise and donated every year from when we launched in 2014. When Les passed away in 2019 he left a bequest to Sunrise, safe in the knowledge that every year the income from his donations and bequest will be granted to local causes that he cared about.
Les said it was "the fact the donations I give to Sunrise are perpetual that appealed to me".
Gavin McFarlane 1939 - 2015
Gavin McFarlane was a “Gizzy” man, who says he lived a “normal life”.
When his health started to deteriorate, Gavin thought hard about how he could give back to the community he loved. Bequesting his estate to Sunrise appealed because it meant
the support would go on forever, rather than giving a lump sum that would be gone when it was gone.
Gavin chose the Cancer Society Gisborne East Coast and Hospice Tairawhiti as beneficiaries of his donation as not only did they support him, but also his wife Ngaire before she passed away in 2003. He said the people behind these groups did “amazing work”.
Read more about Gavin's story
Rosemary Johnson Endowment Fund
After Rosemary passed away in 2018 Graham Johnson and his family established a named endowment fund in her name to thank Hospice Tairāwhiti for the care and attention they received during Rosemary’s time of illness.
They are grateful for the compassionate support they received from Hospice Tairāwhiti in what was a in a very trying time and hope the Rosemary Johnson Fund can make some contribution towards helping Hospice Tairāwhiti support other families during their time of sadness.
Rosemary’s fund has been invested in perpetuity (forever). Every year some of the investment income will be retained to ensure the fund grows in line with inflation and is protected from future market fluctuations, the balance will granted back to Hospice Tairāwhiti every year, forever.
John Larsen lends his weight to sustainable giving
Local business man John Larsen attended the launch of Sunrise in October 2014, where Sir Stephen Tindall introduced our fledgling organisation and the endowment model we operate.
Johns says he “picked up on the value of it immediately”. The endowment model appeals to him as he knows that “donations to Sunrise are a way to give now, that will give forever”.
“I know the value of money, you can’t just give, give and give into a black hole. That will fritter your money away and once it’s gone, it’s gone. Giving to Sunrise is all about sustainability, it will return to the community forever.”
John’s ongoing support for Sunrise is greatly appreciated. No only has he donated to Sunrise, he also supports Sunrise out in the community by helping others to understand how the endowment model works. He really gets it and his endorsement lends weight to what we are trying to achieve.
Read more about John's story.
Ross and Jackie remembered forever
Ross and Jackie McDonald were hardworking rural folk whose lives revolved around family, farming and the outdoors.
Sadly, Jackie passed away in 2016 and Ross not long after in 2017. Their only son Stewart established the Ross and Jackie McDonald Endowment Fund in their memory.
Every year he will help to grant the income from their fund to causes that were special to Ross and Jackie, and in time himself.
A lifetime of giving
Maureen Potroz said it was the support of two generous people early in her life that fostered her belief of giving back. They were two music teachers who recognised her talent and nurtured it, providing free training when she couldn't afford it.
Like her early benefactors Maureen gave back to the community by training young local musicians (whether they could afford it or not), volunteering for thirty years at the Gisborne music competitions and as the founding member of local charity Centre Stage.
For a woman that has spent her life giving back, it is heartening that Maureen's bequest to Sunrise will continue that legacy forever.
Maureen passed away 23 December 2017 in her 86th year. Read more about Maureen's story.
