Co-chair’s report (1 July 2023 - 30 June 2024)
Tēnā koutou katoa,
The last twelve months have been a busy, productive time for the Rule Foundation. We have given $530,109 out to the rainbow community, explored new ways to administer our grant-making in a way that centres community participation, farewelled two long-standing Trustees and welcomed two new ones. We have made progress on our strategic intentions, with some exciting successes along with areas where more work is required. This Co-Chair’s report expands on these milestones and opportunities below.
Funding to takatāpui and rainbow communities
The Peter Rule Fund
The Peter Rule Fund (PRF) operates year round with no specific application deadlines and applications are reviewed continuously.
In February 2023 the Trustees announced the decision to reduce the amount of funding available for granting from the PRF for the 23/24 financial year. While this allowed us to use funds in other areas, it significantly reduced the percentage of successful applications from the previous financial year. In FY22/23 we awarded funding to 75% of the applications we received whereas FY23/24 saw 28% of applications we received funded. As planned, the reduction was temporary, and the PRF returned to its normal level of funding in the 2024/2025 financial year.
Broadly, the grants funded covered areas such as fostering rainbow focused sports, gender affirming health care, support for smaller Te Wai Pounamu rainbow communities, and for takatāpui and MVPFAFF+ hui and talanoa.
The Rainbow Wellbeing Legacy Fund
The fourth annual round of the Rainbow Wellbeing Legacy Fund (RWLF) saw both the largest pool of funding available, and the largest number of applications to the fund to date.
In 2023, there was up to $500,000 available through the fourth annual round and over $2 million in funding requests. The increase in funding available (from the RWLF baseline of $200,000) was thanks to:
a partnership with Foundation North who contributed $200,000 to fund projects in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland and Te Tai Tokerau Northland
and partnership with Te Manatū Whakahiato Taiohi - the Ministry of Youth Development who contributed $100,000.
A total of 48 applications were received (up from 29 in the previous year), with 24 being funded. The successful applications are currently running, with some due to finish in 2025.
The Trustees would like to thank our co-funding partners for helping us increase the amount of funding available to our rainbow communities. Their contributions mean the amount of funding available is more than double what it would usually be.
Over the next year, the Trustees will be reviewing how the RWLF functions, given that the requirement to distribute $200,000 per year set by the government when the fund was established has come to an end. Distributions from the fund will return to a level appropriate for a fund intended to exist in perpetuity. Information about any changes to the RWLF will be communicated via the news section of our website and via email to previous applicants of our Funds.
Alternative funding approaches explored in Te Tai Tokerau
The 2022 and 2023 rounds of the RWLF received no applications in support of Te Tai Tokerau Northland (TTT), a priority area for our funding partner Foundation North and an area historically underfunded in relation to rainbow communities. In response to this, and in alignment with our strategic intentions (to investigate alternate application and decision making processes), the Trustees decided to run a closed collective model.
A collaborative hui held in Whangārei in February 2024 successfully allocated $31,000 among participating organisations based on collective decision-making, enhancing local relationships and understanding of community needs. The process, which included resourcing organisations to participate in it, was deemed successful and revealed valuable insights into fostering equitable funding practices. Recommendations include repeating the process annually, co-designing future approaches with local groups, and ensuring clear communication and preparation for participants.
The Trustees are excited to explore this type of grant making further and investigate how other regions in Aotearoa could benefit from approaches similar to this one.
Rainbow Funders Rōpu
The Rainbow Funders Rōpu is a core focus for the Rule Foundation, intending to influence giving to rainbow and takatāpui communities by other funders and increase partnership and co-funding opportunities for the Rule Foundation. The investment in this network is evident in our strong partnerships with Foundation North, the Ministry for Youth Development, and others. The rōpu also helps to coordinate and co-fund initiatives of national significance to rainbow communities, such as the Rainbow Support Collective, who connect peer-led LGBTQIA+ organisations that provide service delivery and peer-support services in Aotearoa.
Finances
Grants awarded in the 12 months to 31 March 2024 totalled $530,109, a 54% increase on the previous financial year and another annual record. The rapid increase in giving means that this years giving represents one-third of Rule Foundation’s total giving since incorporation in 2008, pushing us over the $1.5 million in funds distributed to communities.
Despite turbulent years in the financial markets, the annualised return on our investments with Milford Asset Management remains competitive and we continue to have confidence in their management of our funds. In May 2024, we contracted with an independent advisor to review how we invest our funds with the intention to formalise a SIPO (Statement of Investment Policy and Objectives) to guide future investment decisions.
Trustees
There has been significant change over the last financial year to the make up of Trustees for the Rule Foundation. In December 2023, David Reeves, our longest serving Trustee, finished his term. In June 2024, Eileen Kelly also finished her term as a Trustee.
Between them, David and Eileen brought a wealth of connections, experience and dedication to serving rainbow communities. We are happy to say that David remains involved with the Foundation as an Advisor to the RWLF.
David and Eileen, the Trustees wish to express our thanks and aroha to you both for your immense contributions to the Rule Foundation over the years.
In early 2024, the Trustees embarked on a search for two new members to join our board. We are thrilled to announce that Lex Davis and Saviiey Nua have joined us as Trustees as of June 2024. Their extensive expertise and commitment to takatāpui, MVPFAFF+ and rainbow communities bring new skills to the Rule Foundation, and we are honoured to welcome them to the board. You can learn more about Lex and Saviiey via our website.
At time of writing the current makeup and terms of Trustees of the Rule Foundation is as follows:
Duncan Matthews (May 2026)
Toni Duder (June 2027)
Joy Liddicoat (Aug 2025)
Lex Davis, (June 2026)
Saviiey Nua (June 2028)
Operational Update
Programme Manager role update and highlights
Between April 2023 to April 2024, we were happy to have Lily McFarlane join the Rule Foundation as Programme Manager. Throughout her time in the role, Lily used her experience in philanthropy to enable us to think critically about our grant making processes, community engagement and responsibility to equitable fund-making. With Lily’s help, we were able to successfully run an alternative funding process for TTT in the 2023 round of the RWLF and communicate more meaningfully with our grantees.
A significant highlight of Lily’s tenure with us was the 60th memorial event commemorating the tragic murder of Alan Aberhart, a gay man, in 1964. With Lily’s help, the Rule Foundation partnered with mana whenua, the Christchurch City Council, and the Christchurch Foundation in facilitating this meaningful event. It allowed Alan’s whānau to honour his memory in Hagley Park, the site of his murder. During the ceremony, mana whenua lifted the tapu of the area, and the Christchurch Foundation announced the establishment of a memorial fund in Alan’s name. The Trustees would like to thank Lily for her contributions to this event and her other efforts. We wish her all the best for a bright future ahead. Ngā mihi nui, Lily.
Current support
Operational support is currently provided to the Rule Foundation and the Trustees by Julia Croft (Administration Coordinator) and Catherine Bodnar (Board Secretary). The Trustees, as volunteers, rely on Julia and Catherine considerably and we thank them both for their work, their skills and their insight.
Closing
The 2023/2024 financial year was both busy and productive. We trialled alternative funding methods, strengthened our partnership with Foundation North, and made progress in key strategic areas.
As we move into the 2024/2025 financial year, the Rule Foundation is exploring new opportunities to broaden our partnerships and develop the way we give grants, all with the goal of better supporting rainbow communities and takatāpui across Aotearoa New Zealand.
Ngā mihi nui,
Duncan Matthews and Toni Duder (Co-Chairpersons at time of writing)
on behalf of the Trustees of the Rule Foundation
