Christina Howard, Executive Director of the Todd Foundation
Christina Howard, Executive Director of the Todd Foundation, introduced the club to the world of philanthropy at last evening’s meeting.
The Todd Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the Todd Corporation and was founded in 1972 by Sir John Todd and his uncles. It still has close ties to the Todd family, with four of its eight trustees drawn from the family.
The Foundation has disbursed over $80M to good causes, always with a focus on children, youth, families, and education.
Prior to 2016 it solicited applications for funds and supported the most promising ones. In a strategic review it became clear that this traditional method of funding needed changing, as with the growth in applications, the applicants’ success rate had fallen from over 50% to less than 15%.
The Foundation became a proactive funder, researching needs, developing programmes with partners, and funding on a larger scale over longer horizons. The payoffs will often be intergenerational.
Current areas of particular focus are youth employment and equity of opportunity for disadvantaged families.
Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.
This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
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85.1% Yes
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13.8% No
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1.1% Other - I'll share below
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.
Railing planters
To gain extra growing space, make and hang these easy-to-build planters on almost any wooden fence or deck railing. Use Resene FX Blackboard Paint so you can easily identify what plants are in each. Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.