Our Strategy

Our vision for vibrant and resilient communities is supported by a strategy to achieve transformational change for people, whaanau, communities, and places where the need is greatest.
Young woman and man smiling whilst planting native plants along the Waikato river
Image courtesy of Waikato River Trails

Strategic Intent

The Trust Waikato Strategic Plan sets five and ten-year goals towards achieving transformational change for people, whaanau, communities and places where the need is greatest. The goal is to achieve impact and influence at a regional level through effective philanthropy, leadership and collaboration.

This will be done by:

  • Strengthening community vibrancy by investing in projects that support access and engagement in sports, arts, culture and heritage, environment and community development projects.
  • Enabling outcomes for high need communities by supporting strategic initiatives that have the potential to deliver transformational change.
  • Preserving capital and generating income.
  • Achieving wider social, economic and environmental benefits to the Waikato region through impact investing.
Kapa Haka performance at Ngaa Paki o Matariki
Image courtesy of the Tainui Teachers Association

Strategic Priorities for Impact

Trust Waikato’s funding framework has been designed to allocate grants that will deliver on the Trust’s strategic priorities for impact. These two priority impact areas are
Facilitating improved outcomes for the highest need communities in our region with a focus on:
  • enhancing the intergenerational wellbeing of children, young people and whaanau
  • increasing resilience and connectivity in rural/small communities
  • increasing strengths-based initiatives that achieve positive outcomes for Maaori.

Strengthening the community sector by:

  • supporting key community stakeholders to strategically increase their capacity and capability
  • facilitating conversations about partnerships and investing in collaboration
  • enabling change-maker organisations through investment in innovation.

Ngaa Pou Rautaki

Trust Waikato’s four pou articulate our vision and commitment to a vital kaupapa and redefines our emphasis on ensuring that our investment into communities reaches those who need it most. The pou strengthen our strategy with deeper purpose and meaning, and are at the heart of Trust Waikato and the work we do.

Te Tiriti o Waitangi

Acknowledging Maaori as tangata whenua and their mana as kaitiaki of te Taiao and the people.

Te Tiriti o Waitangi Pou

Equity

Embracing diversity and inclusion to help ensure equity for every person in our community.

Equity Pou

Sustainability

Trust Waikato’s commitments towards enabling a low-emissions future.

Sustainability Pou

Impact

Fostering an environment of learning to help us respond to our communities’ needs and aspirations.

Impact Pou

Find out more about Trust Waikato’s rich history

Our journey begins well before the creation of Trust Waikato in 1988, and even before the establishment of the community saving banks in the 1950’s.