December 2011 Update on the Todd Foundation Earthquake Recovery Fund

We are delighted that the total available for distribution from the Todd Foundation Earthquake Recovery fund has now reached $2,000,000 thanks to another generous donation from the Todd Corporation.  Of this amount, $775k has so far been donated for community renenwal and not-for-profit sector recovery, and funding applications are being considered on a monthly basis by our Earthquake Recovery Fund Committee.  See the list of recipients here.

Our thoughts are with the people of Christchurch following the last series of quakes just before Christmas.  We wish everyone in Christchurch a much more peaceful 2012.

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August 2011 Update on the Todd Foundation Earthquake Recovery Fund

Our fund has now grown to 1.88m and over $500k has been given away in grants so far.

We are also pleased to announce that in collaboration with the Tindall Foundation we have appointed a Christchurch-based project manager for our earthquake funds on a six month contract.  Bede Martin is co-Director with his wife Maryanne of Interact Canterbury and brings state and not-for-profit sector management experience to  the Todd and Tindall Foundations’ Earthquake Recovery Funds. He has experienced the loss of two buildings to earthquakes in his previous role as Chief Executive of Community Energy Action Charitable Trust, which he managed for over 7 years, and is committed to Canterbury and the regions’ greatest asset – its people. He is keen to be involved in the rebuild of the region’s communities by working with the two Foundations.

Bede can be contacted on 021 230 2908 or by email bedemartin@xtra.co.nz

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June 2011 Update on the Todd Foundation Earthquake Recovery Fund

June 16 2011

Our $1.84m Todd Foundation Earthquake Recovery Fund set up through donations from the Todd Corporation, Todd family members and Todd staff has now started its grant programme to not-for-profit organisations in Christchurch and Canterbury.

Our focus

The Todd Foundation Earthquake Recovery Fund funding will focus on two key areas:

• Engaging communities in recovery and renewal
• Supporting the recovery of the Canterbury not-for-profit sector

Our approach

The Todd Foundation Earthquake Recovery Fund’s approach includes:

• Using a quick and simple online application form.  Funding guidelines and the online form is available here.
• Making funding decisions regularly; at least every four – eight weeks and more often when required.  Decisions on initial funding will be made by a committee consisting of Christchurch residents Charles Reid, Helena Francis and Garth Nowland-Foreman and Todd Foundation trustees Tom Lambie, Malcolm Whyte, Georgina Ralston and David Moloney.
• Working closely with other funders wherever possible.  As a first collaborative step we are planning to contract a Christchurch-based project manager in partnership with the Tindall Foundation.  We are also working with Philanthropy NZ to support further funder collaboration.
• All funds donated into the Todd Foundation Earthquake Recovery Fund and interest earned will directly benefit Canterbury organisations.  Overheads and administration costs will be met by the Todd Foundation.

Funding Recipients

A list of Todd Foundation Earthquake Recovery Fund recipients is available here and will be regularly updated as grants are made.

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May Update on the Todd Foundation Earthquake Recovery Fund

May 13 2011

Our Christchurch-based working group has now provided their recommendations to the Todd Foundation board for how the Foundation can best help out after the Christchurch earthquake.  These recommendations will be considered later this month.  Part of working group’s task involved pulling together a “snapshot” of Christchurch as at the end of April to provide an overview of the situation and needs.   We are delighted to share this and appreciate any feedback.

• Download Post Quake Canterbury – A Snapshot 30 April 2011 (270 KB)

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March – April Update on the Todd Foundation Earthquake Recovery Fund

March 31 2011

Our Todd Foundation Earthquake Recovery Fund is now over $1.8m thanks to the generosity of the Todd Corporation, Todd family members and Todd staff and we are currently researching how this funding can be most helpful for the people of Christchurch.

Principles: Several clear principles for funding disaster recovery have come through from overseas research, other agencies and conversations with people living in Christchurch:

• Get advice from people living in the area
• Look beyond the immediate disaster to the longer term recovery of the city and its people
• Work closely with others to avoid silos and duplication

Approach: The Todd Foundation trustees have agreed to implement the above principles as follows:

• A small working group of Canterbury people with strong connections to the Todd Foundation has been created to provide advice.
• This group will consult widely and provide initial funding advice to the Todd Foundation board
• We are also currently exploring ways to work alongside other philanthropic funders.

We will provide further updates after the working group reports back to the Todd Foundation board.

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Media statement: March 3 2011:

TODD FOUNDATION TO CONTRIBUTE $1.5 MILLION TO CHRISTCHURCH RECOVERY

The Todd Foundation has established a Christchurch Recovery fund of $1.5 million, made up of contributions from The Todd Corporation, Todd Family members and Todd staff.

John Todd, Chairman, The Todd Corporation said “Our thoughts are with the community of Christchurch who need assistance not only now but also in the months to come.  This fund will provide both immediate funding and a contribution to the longer term recovery.”

The fund will be managed by the Todd Foundation and is additional to the Foundation’s 2011 grant budget.