About us
The Thankyou Charitable Trust launched in 2013 in order to give out money generated by the operations of Thankyou Payroll. We aim to support communities to grow their resilience, connectedness, well-being and sustainability and we believe that the people working and living in a place are in the best position to understand the needs of their community. Thankyou Charitable Trust's grant-making programme is based on grants of around $100-$3000. We’re aiming to address a few of the challenges of non-profit grant maker relationship dynamics through our funding model.
Firstly, the application process is fast and easy, and all online. Accountability is also kept simple – a representative from each recipient group must attend a dinner party and spend five minutes talking about how the grant made a difference. We don't want organisations to dedicate time to reporting; instead, the accountability is informal and personal, including their community and their peers. We reckon that healthy relationships play a role in creating successful change interventions and this accountability model provides opportunities for cross sector community leaders to meet and to hear about each others projects and ideas. We hope this will contribute to greater system fitness and more collaboration.
The second point of difference is the “Pay-It-Forward” funding model. The funding model we use is place-based, restricted to geographic locations defined largely by postcode areas. Successful applicants of the previous grant round make decisions on the next lot of grant recipients. We think that this grant making method creates greater connection among community leaders and organisations by providing a space for them to meet and engage in collaborative decision-making. We also want to use the knowledge that is within communities. Who understands the need of a local community better than the people who are actively working for its betterment? And we want to break down the distinction between fund giver and fund receiver by role modeling high-trust relationships with community organisations, handing over power and using more devolved, user-centric decision making processes. We see this as an opportunity for intervention within communities, as an opportunity for growing connection, collaboration, leadership and for providing funding for projects
Our first funding round was in the 9023 post-code area in April 2014. Our trustees received grant applications and allocated grants to six different organisations and groups based on their perceptions of need and the quality of the requests. In early 2015, when the grant round returned to the Port Chalmers area, a representative of each of those recipient organisations came together, along with several of our trustees and evaluated and selected the next round of recipients in their community. Here is what one of the original recipients had to say about the process.
“As awesome as it was to be a recipient in the first funding round, the highlight of the process for me was without a doubt being part of the panel to allocate funds in the following round. It was really cool to have the opportunity to hear about some of the projects that are happening locally to improve our community and its surrounds, and to recognise the people who are working away, volunteering their time and energy to make them happen. The hardest part was dividing up the limited funding pool amongst the recipients - but this led to some thoughtful discussion around what we value as a community. I am thrilled to hear that the Thankyou Charitable Trust is still going strong, and have more funds than ever before to give away to Port Chalmers community groups. I would encourage anyone who is considering applying to do so - it's a brilliant process to be part of, and the feeling of "paying it forward" cannot be overstated" (Margie, Port Chalmers Parents Coffee Group).
Firstly, the application process is fast and easy, and all online. Accountability is also kept simple – a representative from each recipient group must attend a dinner party and spend five minutes talking about how the grant made a difference. We don't want organisations to dedicate time to reporting; instead, the accountability is informal and personal, including their community and their peers. We reckon that healthy relationships play a role in creating successful change interventions and this accountability model provides opportunities for cross sector community leaders to meet and to hear about each others projects and ideas. We hope this will contribute to greater system fitness and more collaboration.
The second point of difference is the “Pay-It-Forward” funding model. The funding model we use is place-based, restricted to geographic locations defined largely by postcode areas. Successful applicants of the previous grant round make decisions on the next lot of grant recipients. We think that this grant making method creates greater connection among community leaders and organisations by providing a space for them to meet and engage in collaborative decision-making. We also want to use the knowledge that is within communities. Who understands the need of a local community better than the people who are actively working for its betterment? And we want to break down the distinction between fund giver and fund receiver by role modeling high-trust relationships with community organisations, handing over power and using more devolved, user-centric decision making processes. We see this as an opportunity for intervention within communities, as an opportunity for growing connection, collaboration, leadership and for providing funding for projects
Our first funding round was in the 9023 post-code area in April 2014. Our trustees received grant applications and allocated grants to six different organisations and groups based on their perceptions of need and the quality of the requests. In early 2015, when the grant round returned to the Port Chalmers area, a representative of each of those recipient organisations came together, along with several of our trustees and evaluated and selected the next round of recipients in their community. Here is what one of the original recipients had to say about the process.
“As awesome as it was to be a recipient in the first funding round, the highlight of the process for me was without a doubt being part of the panel to allocate funds in the following round. It was really cool to have the opportunity to hear about some of the projects that are happening locally to improve our community and its surrounds, and to recognise the people who are working away, volunteering their time and energy to make them happen. The hardest part was dividing up the limited funding pool amongst the recipients - but this led to some thoughtful discussion around what we value as a community. I am thrilled to hear that the Thankyou Charitable Trust is still going strong, and have more funds than ever before to give away to Port Chalmers community groups. I would encourage anyone who is considering applying to do so - it's a brilliant process to be part of, and the feeling of "paying it forward" cannot be overstated" (Margie, Port Chalmers Parents Coffee Group).
Trustees
Adele Cubitt Cohen: Co-chair
Adele wants the world to be a bit better. Ok, a lot better. She knows it's possible too if everyone does their bit. Her's is by helping philanthropists contribute to impactful social and environmental change — to do this she taps into her past lives as a lawyer (of the "good" human rights kind), aid worker, advocate, placemaker, and change strategist. She's a problem solver by nature, progressive (and often critical) in her thinking, and respects those who challenge the status quo. You’ll find her in Auckland, most likely having a cup of a tea.
Cheryl Spain : Co-chair
Cheryl is the Executive Director of The Gift Trust, a philanthropic trust that helps people who want to make larger donations to charitable causes to do so more effectively. She has worked in the charity sector for over 25 years, often in roles that were seeking funding, so she's now enjoying being on the 'other side' giving funding away in her day job and now with Thankyou Charitable Trust! She has worked for a range of charities, mostly environmental causes, the arts and international development. Cheryl lived overseas for 20 years, mostly in the UK, but is now enjoying living back in Wellington. She loves spending time on Wellington's south coast with her kids, at the sea or in nature.
Sophie Fern : Community Grants Manager
Sophie is obsessed by the natural world and will tell you stories about New Zealand’s flora, fauna and fungi if you ask her. Or even if you don’t. She has lived all over the world but is now happily settled on the Otago Peninsula where she can be found sitting on the deck reading or being taken for long healthy walks by her dog.
Christina Bellis : Trustee
Christina has worked with Social Enterprises for over 10 years, orchestrating a multitude of successful, award winning community programmes and driving significant growth. She serves on 3 not-for-profit boards and has a rich history of work in the community, business, and environmental sectors both here and in her home country of Canada. Christina is deeply fond of classic bicycles and is usually seen commuting on one of at least three that she owns, and often with Aiko the dog in tow!
Helen Cox: Treasurer
Helen is originally from the Kaipara area and has been in Wellington for 5 happy years, via Auckland, Coromandel and Melbourne. Helen currently works as a public servant and has previously worked in the community sector, including as a sexual violence prevention educator and restorative justice facilitator. She has also previously worked in fundraising roles, most recently for an organisation providing accommodation to people experiencing homelessness. She has a passion for social and environmental justice movements and sees a strong, well supported NGO sector as crucial for leading and supporting positive social change in New Zealand.
Bec McMaster: Trustee
Bec is Lead Catalyst of Sustainable Projects, a consultancy specialising in project management, sustainability, systems mapping and reducing the impacts of climate change, as well as science communication, graphic and exhibition design.
With extensive experience in the museum sector, Bec is currently working with the Lyttelton Museum to ensure their new Museum is funded and built after the 2011 earthquakes caused the demolition of their building.
Bec lives in Ōtautahi Christchurch with her partner and young son. She loves adventures in the outdoors with her family, especially to lakes and snowy mountains.
