A Hawke's Bay charity is celebrating being able to help out a host of community organisations with much-needed funding this year - and now aims to help even more in 2018.
Hawke's Bay Foundation chairwoman Jules Nowell-Usticke said this year the foundation had been able to help nearly 50 hard-working community organisations, thanks to the increasing support from generous Hawke's Bay people.
"We started small five years ago, it's been hard work but we are very proud of how far we have come. We have $2.2m under management and we have been able to give back $117,500 to those people in our community who need it the most thanks to very generous support from many corners of our community, it truly is a fabulous effort.
"Every region needs a community foundation, they are vital to the lifeblood of the people who live there - we all live here together, and looking after those who are less fortunate in Hawke's Bay makes it a better place for everyone. We believe this is our community, our responsibility and our future. It is about taking ownership of the needs we have here in Hawke's Bay".
Ms Nowell-Usticke said the foundation was a registered charitable trust which receives donations and bequests on behalf of the Hawke's Bay community, these are then safeguarded and grown, constantly earning and giving out forever.
Hawke's Bay Foundation Trustee overseeing distributions Sarah Mulcahy said the foundation wanted to help even more groups.
"Demand far outweighed what we could give this year, which fills us with stronger clarity about what we are doing, momentum is really starting to build, and as the community becomes more confident about what we are about to achieve we know we will be able to better serve those in need.