To celebrate a quarter of a century as Aotearoa’s preeminent rainbow funder, the Trust will take over St Matthew-in-the-City for a night of feasting, entertainment and fundraising on Friday 15 November!
“We feel it’s really important to acknowledge the incredible mahi done by a number of amazing people over the past twenty-five years. Without their vision and hard yards, the Trust wouldn’t be in the strong place it is today,” says current co-chair Gurv Singh-Leask.
The Trust began life as an offshoot of GABA, the Gay Auckland Business Association, now known as Rainbow Auckland (who turn 40 this year). GABA saw a need to support various community groups that were struggling financially and did what it could. It soon became apparent there was real need out there, and more formal structure was required.
Click HERE to buy your tickets for the GiveOUT Day Launch Party!
“They came up with the idea that if they set up a trust, then the money wouldn’t be taxed…. It was a tax-effective way for GABA to do the charitable work it was doing, ensuring as much money as possible got to those who needed it.” Geoffrey Marshell, one of the original trustees, tells us.
“For some years, we operated very closely with GABA as their fundraising charitable arm. So GABA always organised the events that would raise money for the trust. There were auctions and lunches and things, initially at John Stempas’ house – also an original trustee.”
While the Trust initially focused on community groups and projects, it was in 2009 when the then GABA Chairperson, Mark Knoff-Thomas, suggested the Trust look at giving out scholarships to rainbow students.
Click HERE to buy your tickets for the GiveOUT Day Launch Party!
“I guess one of the key objectives was to engage with a younger audience, and at that time there were no relationships between GABA and schools. It seemed like a good way to forge better connections. And it has proven to be true. So many outstanding young people have benefitted from the programme now. It’s awesome!” says Mark, now CEO of the New Market Business Association.
Since 2009, more than 80 student scholarships have been given out by the Trust, and since its inception, the Trust has raised and distributed almost $800,000 to over 130 rainbow organisations and initiatives.
Click HERE to buy your tickets for the GiveOUT Day Launch Party!
The Trust would not be able to do this without ongoing community support. On November 7th, the Trust will be launching GiveOUT Day 2024 with a fabulous fundraising party at Nectar Bar in Kingsland, everyone is welcome! This is your chance to help the Trust continue supporting those who need it more than ever.
Click HERE to buy your tickets for the GiveOUT Day Launch Party!
GiveOUT Day is an online peer-to-peer funding platform. The public can choose their favourite charities to give to, and donations are matched dollar for dollar thanks to an amazing pool of generous corporate sponsors. “The need out there is greater than ever. The cost-of-living crisis has really spilled over to the rainbow community and our various organisations. We really need people to dig deep and get behind GiveOUT Day and come along to our Gala dinner on the 15th,” says Jessie Lewthwaite, Trust co-chair.
For further info and to book tickets, visit rainbownzcharitabletrust.org.nz