Shifting Power and Embracing Community Agency: A Step Forward in Philanthropy
At the recent Empowering Communities - Te whakamana i ngā hapori conference in Ōtautahi Christchurch, hosted by Community Foundations of Aotearoa NZ, a bold narrative emerged: a future where community agency and the indigenisation of philanthropy are central.
International voices like Barry Knight (The Global Fund for Community Foundations) and Ian Bird (Community Foundations Australia) reminded us that traditional, Western-centric notions of “impact” fall short in capturing the vibrancy and energy of true community empowerment. The call to action? Shift from social banking to social change, let local communities lead, and embed the Sustainable Development Goals into our strategies.
As Dr. Hana O’Regan poignantly shared, colonisation’s long tail still disempowers indigenous people. To shift that, community foundations must be agents of togetherness and justice. Are we prepared to challenge the status quo and build a philanthropic future rooted in equity and collective empowerment?
The future of generosity isn’t just about money; it’s about people, energy, and change. Together, we are on the journey.
To our wonderful sponsors Craigs Investment Partners, Fonterra, Trust Management NZ, Aro Digital, BDO, Alliance magazine, Salesforce, Gallagher, Forsyth Barr Limited and to our strategic partner The Tindall Foundation ngā mihi for your support for our kaupapa.
And, to our wonderful conference team Composition your dedication to excellence is so obvious along with your dedication to smiles and a laugh, we appreciate your mahi and genius every step of the way.
Read the Full Summary here: https://lnkd.in/gZUYGacd
#CFANZConf24 #EmpoweringCommunities #ShiftingPower #CollectiveImpact #SustainableDevelopmentGoals