Wakatipu Community Foundation rebranded
After seven years of growing community impact, the Wakatipu Community Foundation has officially rebranded as the 45South Community Foundation.
The name change, effective from today 19 June, reflects the Foundation’s expanding reach across the region, while maintaining a strong connection to place and purpose.
“When we launched the Wakatipu Community Foundation in 2018, our focus was firmly on the Whakatipu Basin,” chief executive Jennifer Belmont says. “But as the years passed, we’ve seen our support and the generosity of our donors extend beyond our original boundaries.
"Donors are looking to offer scholarships to students outside the Whakatipu basin, and we are fielding more enquiries on behalf of clients in the surrounding areas.”
In addition, funds such as Love Wanaka and the ZQN Community Fund are already making grants beyond the Whakatipu.
The name 45South draws its inspiration from the 45th parallel, which runs through the heart of the region, connecting Arrowtown through Queenstown to the top of the lake in Glenorchy.
“We wanted a name that better reflects the people and places we now serve,” board chair Steve Brent says. “But what won’t change is our mission which is to connect generosity with impact, and help our community to thrive for generations to come.”
Over the past six years, the Foundation has granted more than $3 million to local charities and causes through key programmes such as Impact100 Wakatipu, The Greatest Needs Fund, private endowments, the Queenstown Airport Community Fund, Love Wanaka and Love Queenstown and Generation Give.
Along with the impressive $3 million granted, local donors have now pledged more than $50million in legacy bequests to the foundation, the income from which will become available to the community in the future.
Going forward, all fundholders, donors, and community partners will continue their work under the new 45South banner, with the same governance, values, and operational model.
“We see this as a new chapter and not a change in direction. It’s a key step as we head towards our goal of building a billion dollar fund for the community,” Belmont says. “45South is about being grounded in this region and committed to its future. We’re proud to take this step with our community.”
