30 Oct 2024
Locals supporting locals
The arts, education, health, environment, animal welfare, sports – the Sunrise Foundation (Sunrise) has a helping hand in it all. Based in Gisborne Tairāwhiti, this community-focused foundation is dedicated to giving that keeps on giving. They facilitate local donations for local needs by connecting donors with causes they care about and providing charities with long-term, sustainable income.
Their unique point of difference is that all donations, no matter the size, are invested and protected with the original donation retained in full, then grown to be an ongoing source of funding, forever. Since establishing in 2014, Sunrise has grown funds invested to $8.2 million and have distributed 99 percent of these through grants to local causes throughout the Gisborne area and community.
If you’re in Gisborne, keep an eye out for the new Sunrise Foundation Suzuki Swift supported by the local Suzuki dealership, Alan Berry Motors. It’s often seen zipping around for donor and grant recipient visits. You’ll notice the artwork tells its own story – highlighting the variety of causes they proudly support within their community.
As they look to the future, Sunrise aims to grow funds invested to become self-sustainable. The more the invested funds grow, the more they’re able to do what they really love – give back to their community.
To celebrate the organisation’s 10th birthday, Gisborne will play host to the inaugural ‘Sunrise Week’ over 2-8 November. There will be a lot going on, from orange mufti-days, orange-themed dinner parties, and orange golf and bowling club tournaments. Even the town clock is being lit up orange for the first half of the week! All donations, no matter how big or small, will bring them closer to achieving their dream of giving $10 million in 10 years. And with the community’s support, we know they can get there!
To support this generous charity, head to their website and make a donation. Or, if you are a community organisation in the Tairāwhiti Gisborne who is making a difference, grant applications open June 2025.
Here’s to the next 10 years!