Having worked at the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries for a number of years, John Illingworth was worried about the effects of climate change during his lifetime. When he died, he left a bequest to establish the O’Dea Illingworth Fund with Nikau Foundation to support climate change research, action and prevention and soil science research.

As guardians of the O’Dea Illingworth Fund, Nikau’s role is to bring John’s legacy to life through effective, informed grant-making, ensuring his generosity continues to make a meaningful impact for generations to come.

For many years, organisations like CCS Disability Action and People First Ngā Tāngata Tuatahi have delivered people-centered, mana-enhancing support to people with disability. Nikau Foundation is proud to support this important mahi, providing transformative opportunities for people with disability to live flourishing, indepedent lives.

One of the most culturally diverse communities in Aotearoa New Zealand, Porirua is known for its unique vibrancy, enigmatic community spirit and collective solution-finding attitude. Following its establishment in 2018, Nikau’s Porirua District Fund surpassed the milestone of distributing over $1,000,000 in funding to the local community in 2024.

As a community foundation, Nikau plays a role in funding individual organisations as well as strengthening the for-purpose sector as a whole. This year, Nikau Foundation funded a series of capability-building projects that will have a ripple effect for our communities.

100 years ago, community food support may have only been associated with lines snaking out of soup kitchens. In the 21st century, addressing food insecurity has produced a range of innovative, varied and hyper-local solutions that are anchored with manaakitanga (generosity/caring for others), collaboration and people power. In 2024, Nikau Foundation was proud to distribute over $140,000 in support to organisations working to alleviate food insecurity in our communities.

Established in 1991 after the Cartwright Inquiry, Mana Wāhine Incorporated has a kaupapa to empower and support women to make informed choices about their health.

In 2023, Mana Wāhine launched their own website to encourage women to take charge of their health and showcase their services in a powerful, meaningful and vivid way.

Home4All’s innovative programme aims to restore a level of independence, create moments of joy and happiness and bring a sense of pride to people in the preliminary stages of dementia.

All visitors are encouraged to use their skillsets, rediscover their passions and spend time doing things they love in a safe, social and welcoming environment.

Established in 2021, Wairarapa Pūkaha to Kawakawa Alliance (colloquially referred to as WaiP2K) has a mission to bring people together from Mount Bruce to Cape Palliser and mobilise volunteers to get involved in a range of local conservation projects.

First located out of Cuba Street, Pablo’s Art Studio’s story started in 1993 as a creative response to the demand for better community support for marginalised communities. For over 30-years, Pablos has offered support to hundreds of Wellingtonians, using art therapy to provide emotional support and an identity-affirming safe space. Nikau Foundation was delighted to support a community outreach programme to palliative care patients at Mary Potter Hospice in Porirua.

Wellington-based, Ekta’s story started in 2017 when a small group of volunteers started to work alongside newly settled migrants from India. The aim was to educate them on all-things New Zealand and to provide opportunities for connection and inclusion. In 2020, as New Zealand locked down and many faced additional financial struggles and unemployment, Ekta ventured into building a food bank to support many in our communities.

Ted's Space is an initiative providing emotional support and pet therapy to positively enhance students' learning opportunities and engagement with their school, health and wellbeing. In early 2023, Nikau was delighted to provide a grant to support service delivery to help neurodiverse and neurotypical students to navigate life's challenges, gain confidence and build life skills.

Acknowledging the high volume of usable items that make their way to landfill, Porirua-based Freeforall makes sure that items find a good home with people who need them the most. Nikau Foundation was delighted to support Freeforall’s growth, providing a grant to support the General Manager’s salary.

Aiming to address the root cause of offending and make positive changes in the lives of young people, Te Kāhu Tiu Trust's community rehabilitation programmes connect young offenders to the land and address trauma from the inside out.

As it has for over 120-years, Compassion Soup Kitchen, which is based on Wellington’s Tory Street, is offering responsive, wrap-around support to people experiencing food insecurity. To ensure they could keep their six-day-a-week meal service running smoothly, they requested funding to upgrade their IT equipment; a project with which Nikau Foundation was delighted to assist.

For Kāpiti-based athletes, Cole Bailey and Louis Edwards, football is not just a sport; it is an opportunity to connect and feel a sense of belonging. After years of hard work and training, the two young men are heading to the 2023 Special Olympics World Games in Berlin to complete as part of the New Zealand Football Team.

Growing Places Charitable Trust has a mission to connect the community, bring nature into public spaces and create positive ecological outcomes. Its KETE - Kids Enhancing Tawa Ecosystems programme engages students in environmental projects, sowing the seed for a lifelong love of nature.

The Shift Foundation's story started when Founder, Fran McEwen, became aware of the many benefits of physical recreation for improved mental health. First piloted with the Wellington City Council, The Shift Foundation’s programmes aim to holistically improve young women’s wellbeing.

Founded 20 years ago by Artistic Director Nina Nawalowalo ONZM and Executive Producer Tom McCrory, The Conch Charitable Trust has created a platform for the telling of Pacific stories across the globe, presenting theatrical works at over 40 international festivals. In 2022, Nikau Foundation supported The Conch’s beautifully poignant production of A Boy Called Piano.

Founded in 2004, the Autism Intervention Trust has a mission to enable success for every child by supporting families with an autistic child in practical and positive ways. The Autism Intervention Trust sought funding to cover operational expenses to run their weekly gym classes, providing inclusive opportunities for fun and exploration.

Now in its 95th year, Wellington Free Ambulance is one of our region’s most well-known for-purpose organisations. With a goal to strengthen their storytelling, Wellington Free Ambulance undertook a GoodMeasure Report with local organisation, ImpactLab. Nikau Foundation was delighted to support.