“Some of us just start out in life with more resources. It doesn’t mean we’re better or smarter or faster – it just means we’re bloody lucky.”
Scott Gilmour

I Have a Dream New Zealand Founder and Chairperson Scott Gilmour was recently interviewed by Philanthropy New Zealand for their 12 Days of Giving campaign. Scott acknowledges that he has been lucky in life and that he is aware others have not been so fortunate. He also expressly thanks all of our donors for their ongoing support.

New campaign by Philanthropy New Zealand and Government aims to inspire more generosity.

Philanthropy New Zealand teamed up with Department of Internal Affairs earlier this month to showcase inspiring stories of philanthropy from across Aotearoa and to share information to help more people give effectively.

Starting on the first of December, and running until the 17th of December, the Twelve Days of Giving campaign will saw a new video published each weekday, sharing philanthropy stories from individuals, business and government.

“The Twelve Days of Giving aims to kickstart the ongoing celebration of effective giving in New Zealand to encourage more people to embrace the opportunities around them to help address the hurdles facing New Zealanders and what better time than Christmas, the giving season, to do this,” Philanthropy New Zealand’s CE Rahul Watson Govindan says.

“Government, business and individuals, we all can play a part, in working with communities to build an Aotearoa where every person, no matter what their ethnicity, age, gender or address is, can access economic opportunities; good health and wellbeing; physical and emotional safety; and education.”

Along with Watson Govindan,Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector Louise Upston, Gattung Foundation’s executive director Angela Gattung and I Have a Dream Charitable Trust founder Scott Gilmour are among those who participated in the campaign.

Split across three key areas of philanthropy: individual giving, business giving, and government/NGOs, the campaign aims to show how each sector plays a role in growing philanthropic efforts across the country.

“By shining a light on some of the amazing generosity already happening in Aotearoa and highlighting examples of good philanthropic activities across the country, our hope for this campaign is to encourage people to see philanthropy as a kaupapa they can be a part of.”

Giving Tuesday on 3 December (a global movement that aims to promote generosity) and International Volunteer Day on 5 December will also be recognised during the campaign.

Other participants in the campaign included:

A new video will be shared daily on Philanthropy New Zealand’s website and across social media channels including by Philanthropy New Zealand, Department of Internal Affairs and Minister Upston.

For interview requests or for more information, images or video contact Carolyn Brooke on carolyn@philanthropy.org.nz or 0272859978