We believe in giving back

15% of all fees go to the Simplicity Foundation which supports charities across Aotearoa.

Charitable donations to date

$10,662,233

About the Simplicity Foundation

Foundation story

 

The Foundation was born at the same time as our business in 2016. From the very start, the Foundation has been receiving 15% of our KiwiSaver and Investment Fund management fees. With the growth of Simplicity, the Foundation is able to help Kiwi charities doing good.

Structure

 

The Simplicity Foundation is a charitable trust, and the ultimate owner of Simplicity NZ Ltd. The Foundation has a manager and funding decisions are made its Trustees who meet on a quarterly basis. You can find out more about the team below.

Giving approach


Based on member feedback the Foundation provides charitable funding to three core sectors: the environment, youth development, and homelessness and hunger. The majority of its giving is directed through medium and long-term charity partners, with the rest allocated to smaller, one-off grants.

Impact

 

It started with a few thousand dollars and has grown to millions. Whether it's redistributing food destined for landfill, planting native trees, supporting career aspirations and education pathways for our young people, the Foundation aims to support charities having real impact in our communities.

Our pillars

Based on our members' feedback, the Foundation has three core priorities.

Thriving Te Taiao / Environment


We’re focused on long-term sustainable growth, supporting projects aiming to help protect and restore the biodiverse, natural environment of Aotearoa through robust and durable planting and predator eradication projects. We know these projects will also help mitigate against the
impacts of climate change. Our support also includes the restoration of coastal and marine environments, in the Hauraki Gulf and more broadly.

Thriving Rangitahi / Young People


We aim to support programmes that help young people in Aotearoa build brighter futures, especially those facing the biggest challenges to thrive. Our current focus is on supporting rangatahi achieve their long-term aspirations, by transitioning through key periods of education into long-term employment opportunities. Committed to sustainable financial independence and outcomes, we also support promoting financial literacy across the wider community.

Thriving Hapori / Communities


We want to help support those in society who are struggling to meet their basic needs of housing and food security. We partner with organisations who are there for communities in immediate need, primarily through our Christmas giving support. We also aim to support the housing needs of vulnerable young people, including programmes seeking to address systemic causes of housing insecurity and its impact.

Who we've supported

Check out some of the Kiwi charities proudly supported by the Foundation. 

Applying for grants

The Foundation is governed by volunteer Trustees who approve the distribution of funds on a quarterly basis in alignment with its strategy.

If you're a charity that aligns with the Foundation's funding pillars and strategic priorities, please feel free to contact to learn more about potential funding opportunities. Because the majority of giving is directed through charity partners, availability of additional funding may be limited, however the Foundation is always interested to learn about innovative and sustainable projects in our community.

Please email a brief summary of who you are and what you do to: foundation@simplicity.kiwi and they'll get back in touch.

We love planting native trees

Progress so far

194,739

Total trees planted*

41,167

Tonnes of carbon sequested

*The Foundation funds a native tree for every new member, and one per week for every Simplicity Living apartment rented.

Auckland

18,262

Northland

19,244

Bay of Plenty

9,900

Taranaki

13,670

Gisborne

14,785

Hawke's Bay

11,191

Manawatu-Whanganui

6,908

Wellington

3,510

Tasman

16,681

West Coast

845

Canterbury

9,155

Otago

17,901

Southland

16,400

Marlborough

2,612

Trustees & Manager

The Trustees bring a breadth of experience and expertise to the Foundation, and are responsible for its strategic direction and funding decisions.

Rebecca Roberts

Manager

Marisa Fong, Chair

Entrepreneur, Co-founder TBC Partners

Frances Arns (she/her)

Impact-led strategy, sustainable business models and rainbow (LGBTQIA+) community advocacy.

Anna Brealey

Property developer and strategic philanthropist, committed to addressing lack of affordable housing in NZ.

Sidd Mehta

Public Health professional and community organiser, passionate about building a more equitable and sustainable future for all. 

Frank Janssen

Experienced commercial and philanthropic governance professional 

Ngapera Riley

CEO at Figure NZ

Amanda Morrall

Simplicity co-founder and personal finance expert

Sam Stubbs

Managing Director, Simplicity (NZ) Ltd

Rachel Taylor

Partner, DLA Piper