The Simplicity Foundation has approved over $1 million in new donations this October, supporting 14 organisations helping young people thrive, restoring nature, and strengthening communities across Aotearoa.

From youth employment and education to environmental regeneration and financial wellbeing, this round reflects the Foundation’s commitment to long-term, systems-level change, creating a fairer, more sustainable future for New Zealand.

“This funding round is primarily about investing in our charity partners and helping them deliver in our key areas of focus,” says Rebecca Roberts, Foundation Manager. “It’s about supporting solutions that build lasting resilience for people, communities, and our natural environment.”

Thriving Rangatahi

More than half of this round’s funding focuses on youth, from education and employment pathways to well-being and inclusion.

• First Foundation – $48,000: Contributing towards three new Simplicity Foundation scholarships, helping first-in-family students transition to tertiary study.

• Te Kāhu Tiu – $100,000: Supporting the establishment of a kaupapa Māori, trauma-informed programme for high-risk rangatahi through whānau-centred healing and future education and employment pathways.

• Recreate NZ – $25,000: Continued support for the MOXIE XP employment programme for young people with disabilities, which has achieved an 85% employment success rate to date.

• SkillWise – $10,000: Funding for Work Ready courses in Christchurch, equipping disabled job seekers with practical employment skills.

• Project Employ – $10,000: Support for its Flourish Café training and employment programme for young people with intellectual disabilities.

• Middlemore Foundation – $20,000: For its Pacific Health Cadetship Programme, helping South Auckland youth gain paid work experience in hospital settings.

• Conservation Volunteers NZ – $100,000: Co-funding the delivery of Try Te Taiao, an extended pilot providing environmental work training, experience and career pathways for rangatahi in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.

Thriving Communities

This pillar focuses on inclusion, dignity, and financial resilience.

• DebtFix – $50,000: Operational support for Simplicity’s KiwiSaver hardship processing partner, helping New Zealanders in financial stress access debt advice.

• Lifewise – $10,000: Support for Merge Café and its work-readiness programmes, offering employment and community connection for people experiencing homelessness.

• Orange Sky Aotearoa – $50,000: Continuing support for its mobile laundry and shower services, providing dignity and connection to those experiencing homelessness and in need, nationwide.

• One Percent Collective - $85,000: A second year of operational support for this online platform making it easy for Kiwis to give regularly to the causes they care about.

Thriving Environment

Funding continues to accelerate native restoration and biodiversity through large-scale partnerships.

• Trees That Count – $70,000: For 10,000 community-planted native trees in 2026.

• The Nature Conservancy – $100,000: Continuing support for Kotahitanga mō te Taiao, piloting scalable, iwi-led reforestation and regeneration in the top of the South Island.

• Predator Free NZ Trust – $100,000: Our second year of supporting community backyard trapping projects, protecting Aotearoa's biodiversity nationwide.
  
  

And another key announcement to come - watch this space!