How generous are New Zealanders?
The evidence is growing and it’s good. When last studied comparatively, the not-for-profit sector received 20% of its revenue from philanthropic sources (from households, business and other NFP institutions). New Zealanders were estimated to be giving between $1.24 and $1.6 billion. The ‘How Do New Zealanders Give?’ report estimates that three in four New Zealanders over the age of 10 are supporting the community and voluntary sector in some way, by donations or by volunteering and quite often with both.
But do they just give to any cause? No. Take a look at the Charities Commission site for a snapshot of the vital dimensions of the charitable sector in New Zealand. Then look internationally. Should we care about growing philanthropy in the arts sector in New Zealand? I think the answer is yes. The question is how we might do it. This forum is a great opportunity to present ideas, which will be welcomed by the Cultural Philanthropy Taskforce, in session until the end of this year.
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The Cultural Philanthropy Taskforce got together later last year, and we’ve had a couple of meetings. The brief is to look at ways to enhance philanthropy in the arts and cultural sector. W’re looking at some of the big levers – the fiscal, legal and cultural environments, the interesting questions around the culture of giving here compared with elsewhere, for example. We’re looking at social and institutional trends, at research like that arriving last week from the Ministry of Culture and Heritage here.
What will work to support arts philanthropy? Is it about simplifying or extending or better communicating government policy? Is it about finding better ways to
lift the awareness of the impact of arts and cultural sector and does this change the confidence people have giving to the arts? What about on the “supply side” – should it be that organizations have a better chance at becoming good fundraisers, being more attractive to philanthropists?
So we are listening:
Listening to what you are saying, for example, through this forum.
Collecting research and analyzing it.
Find out what others in our situation have done, with what outcomes.
Seeing where the success stories are.
Finding best practice internationally.
Listening…..