Given my upbringing in small town New Zealand, it was inevitable that my life would be centred on community.

When I was young my father was a volunteer fireman and ambulance driver and ran the local golf club and my mother ran the local tennis club, badminton club and YMCA and volunteered at the CAB. So it is in my genes, and my voluntary work has been with Rotary, Hospice Waikato, Sport Waikato and many other community organisations over the years. Much of my paid work has been in the community sector as well, setting me up well for my role as Donor Services Manager at Momentum.

Now, I get to spend my time talking with people who are as passionate about making the Waikato a better place for everyone forever, as we are at Momentum. Over a coffee, they often talk about wanting to contribute to a better world, not just for their children and grandchildren, but for all children to come, - they are just not sure how to go about doing that. As a donor focused philanthropic advisory service, we work with people to help them think their way through their aspirations and the way their generosity can be directed, making sure their instructions are clearly recorded - and our advice is fee free! We are mindful every day of the words of Kate Frykberg, Chair of Philanthropy New Zealand – giving is good, but thoughtful giving is better.

Raewyn Kirkman
Donor Services Manager