In 2016 The Tindall Foundation established its Next Gen Fund, providing an opportunity for Margaret and Stephen Tindall’s five children to work together. Sitting underneath the ‘umbrella’ of the Foundation, the fund works autonomously, with siblings Liz, Rob, Ben, Jem and Kate in full control of what and how they choose to fund. 

 

This has offered an opportunity for ‘the five’ to learn more about philanthropy. “Generosity is something that’s been ingrained in us all our lives, so this has been an incredible chance to come together and work on projects we are passionate about,” says Liz.

 

The group started off by identifying the areas of most interest to them and questioning where the greatest need lay within each area. They ended up with a short list of seven possibilities, before deciding to focus their efforts and funding on using the creative arts (which lies outside TTF’s funding areas) as a mechanism for helping young people.

 

Instead of using the often time-consuming process of funding applications, Next Gen proactively seeks out organisations to work with, inviting them to put forward a funding proposal. The fund is currently supporting two organisations with larger donations (Ngā Rangatahi Toa and Crescendo Trust of Aotearoa), as well as seven organisations with smaller donations. 

 

One of the early success stories is Ngā Rangatahi Toa (NRT), a South Auckland organisation engaging young people through creative arts including dance, poetry, photography and theatre. Their ‘kids’ are aged 14–19 and most have been excluded from mainstream school and alternative education. Next Gen has specifically funded a project called Takatū, which focuses on youth development, preparing participants to transition back into education or employment.

 

Comments Huia O’Sullivan, NRT’s Executive Director: “One of the reasons we have such great results is that we work not just with the individual but with the entire family unit. The lessons they learn here in the creative arts can be transferred into their lives, turning them into positive contributors to their communities.”

 

Huia credits a high-trust relationship with the Next Gen team with allowing them to work ‘without hooks’. “It is so refreshing working with Next Gen — we have a shared vision and goals that allow us to work effectively together to have the greatest impact across a broader range of sectors.”

 

And she welcomes reciprocity of learning where NRT can openly seek out support and advice from Next Gen. Together the groups celebrate their successes, while remaining open to learning on how things could be done better.

 

The siblings spend time in NRT’s ‘classrooms’ and attend the annual Manawa Ora performance that showcases its diversity of talent. “What is so unique about NRT is the relationship that builds between the teachers and creative artists and the rangatahi. They are able to draw out creativity and confidence, and to see their eyes light up when they are performing on stage is so rewarding,” says Liz.

 

Margaret Tindall says it’s been wonderful to see her five children working together to support arts organisations that lie outside the Foundation’s primary areas of giving. She and Stephen take an active interest, but do not get involved in funding decisions.

 

Liz agrees that launching the fund has been a worthwhile learning experience. “Our Trustees have given us no parameters about what and how we fund. We can take the time to identify where the greatest need lies and then work with groups to have a tangible outcome. It’s a real joy to be able to do this together as siblings.”

 

“It is so refreshing working with Next Gen — we have a shared vision and goals that allow us to work effectively together to have the greatest impact across a broader range of sectors.”
 

— Huia O’Sullivan, Ngā Rangatahi Toa

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