9 July 2026
Hundreds of New Zealand charities – including the Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts and Wellington Jazz Festival (2025 performance Boogie Wonderland pictured) – rely on generous donations to support their work.
Tāwhiri Patron Partner Bloomsbury Associates have just launched a practical tool to help people determine their philanthropic ability. The Giving Gauge is designed to help people understand their capacity to give, while maintaining confidence in their own financial wellbeing. We find out more from Bloomsbury Associates Founder and Principal Adviser Philip Stevenson.
Philip says The Giving Gauge is the result of discussions with Bloomsbury Associates clients who expressed interest in charitable giving but were unsure what they could give now.
“Over the years I’ve met countless individuals and families who care deeply about their communities and the causes they support. A common question arose: “Do I have to wait? Can I give now?”
The Giving Gauge takes users through a series of questions about their current and future financial situations and provides a clear picture of their capacity to make donations.
“New Zealand has a strong culture of generosity, but we see significant potential to grow philanthropy by helping people more effectively navigate the connection between wealth, purpose, and impact.
“We hope that this tool an encourage more conversations about giving, legacy and the role each of us can play in supporting the communities and causes we care about.”
Philip says the opportunity to assess ability to give now means people can experience the impact of their generosity. “It’s one thing to leave a bequest, but by giving while living, you can see those very real benefits.”
Try The Giving Gauge for yourself HERE