#286 'Leading A Corporate Foundation With A Difference', Rebecca Roberts Head of Simplicity Foundation

What if philanthropy wasn’t an add-on to business, but built into its DNA?In this episode of Purposely, we welcome Rebecca Roberts, Head of the Simplicity Foundation, to explore how one corporate foundation has embedded giving into its core model in a way that grows alongside the business.Established alongside Simplicity NZ Ltd in 2016, the Foundation receives 15% of KiwiSaver and Investment Fund management fees. As Simplicity has grown to manage more than $10 billion, the Foundation’s giving has expanded too, now distributing around $3 million in grants each year to charities across Aotearoa New Zealand.Rebecca shares how this structure works in practice, what it means to embed impact into a commercial model, and why long-term thinking matters in philanthropy.Why Simplicity chose to hardwire giving into its business model from day oneThe Foundation’s three pillars: Thriving Te Taiao (Environment), Thriving Rangatahi (Young People), and Thriving Hapori (Communities)The value of medium and long-term partnerships over one-off grantsWhy co-funding and collaboration with other foundations can strengthen outcomesWhat sustainable, impact-focused philanthropy looks like in actionFrom planting more than 200,000 native trees to supporting youth pathways into employment and addressing housing and food insecurity, this conversation highlights philanthropy designed for measurable, community-level impact.Rebecca also reflects on the responsibility that comes with scale, the discipline required in funding decisions, and how foundations can balance responsiveness with strategic focus.A valuable listen for anyone involved in corporate foundations, philanthropy, impact investing, or charity leadership.

Welcome Rosie Challies to the Purposely Podcast.Rosie is the Founder of the Terra Nova Foundation, which is focused on environmental action and being a catalyst for positive change for people and planet here in Aotearoa New Zealand.Rose brings more than 20 years of international experience working across Europe on complex social and environmental challenges. Rosie has partnered with governments, major funders, NGOs, not for profits and businesses to design and deliver change at scale. Her work has included shaping national policy and legislation, building cross sector strategies and leading large collaborative initiatives.Since returning home to New Zealand in 2019 as a NEXT Foundation Fellow, Rosie has focused on accelerating environmental progress through Terra Nova Foundation. Her experience spans systems change, strategic philanthropy and impact measurement, along with advising boards, political leaders, nonprofit leaders and philanthropists on how to achieve meaningful and measurable impact.In this conversation, we explore what it really takes to create lasting change, the role philanthropy can play in environmental progress, and why long term thinking matters more than ever.This episode is for anyone working in environmental action, philanthropy or systems change, and for those who want their work to make a genuine and lasting difference.

In this episode of Purposely, I’m joined by Craig Pollard, Founder and CEO of Fundraising Radicals, to talk about what it really takes to build high value funding partnerships that actually last.Craig brings three decades of experience working alongside civil society organisations and funders in more than 100 countries. He’s seen what works, what fails, and where organisations quietly undermine themselves in the pursuit of money.We talk about why high value fundraising is not about slick pitches or chasing the next grant round. It’s deliberate. It’s strategic. And it starts with being clear about your purpose and the role you want to play in the wider ecosystem.Craig shares his thinking on trust, alignment, and why the best partnerships are built on shared values rather than financial need. We explore what it means to design for long term value instead of short term wins, and why uncomfortable conversations are often part of building something stronger.There’s also a challenge here for leaders and trustees. Are you clear on what “enough” looks like? Are you building partnerships, or just securing income?If you care about moving beyond transactional fundraising and building relationships that genuinely resource impact, this conversation will give you plenty to think about.

People connect with people, not causes. In this episode of Purposely, filmmaker and social entrepreneur Kiran Patel shares what charities and community organisations can learn from good storytelling and why authenticity matters more than polished campaigns.Kiran explains how strong stories give people agency, build trust, and help audiences see themselves in the work, rather than being talked at or asked to care from a distance. Drawing on his experience as a documentary filmmaker, he reflects on why human stories cut through, especially in a world saturated with content.The conversation traces Kiran’s journey from growing up between countries to building creative projects that bring people together. His family’s long connection to Auckland’s Dominion Road shaped that path, from running one of the area’s early Indian restaurants to creating Move Space, a community hub for art, ideas, and social impact.We talk about Kiran’s decision to step away from a traditional film school path to focus on real-world storytelling, and how that led to projects like Humans Are Awesome, a series that shines a light on everyday people quietly making a difference.Kiran also shares the thinking behind Deeper Questions, the card game designed to move conversations beyond small talk. Inspired by years of interviewing people, it’s a simple tool for building trust, connection, and more meaningful dialogue, whether in homes, teams, or community spaces.A big thank you to our sponsors Benevity and Trust Investments.

In this episode of Purposely Podcast, we’re joined by Eleanor Cater, CEO of Community Foundations of Aotearoa New Zealand, to explore how local giving can become one of the most powerful forces for long-term community change.Eleanor is deeply passionate about philanthropy, not as a lofty idea, but as something practical and grounded in place. From growing up in Porirua to now leading the national body for community foundations, she has been a witness to what empowered communities can achieve.Community foundations sit quietly behind the scenes of some remarkable outcomes across the country. They connect donors with local priorities, steward funds across generations, and help turn generosity into action. In New Zealand, the movement has grown steadily from 12 community foundations to 18 today, collectively managing more than $315 million in community assets. But as Eleanor explains, the real value isn’t just the capital, it’s the trust.Trust is the engine of community philanthropy. Donors need confidence that their giving will be respected, well governed, and still relevant long after they’re gone. Community foundations offer an alternative to setting up standalone trusts, providing professional governance, local insight, and the flexibility to respond as communities change. It’s a model built for permanence, without the administrative burden.We talk about what this looks like in practice. From regionally funded theatres and adventure playgrounds, to the quieter work of backing grassroots organisations and bringing people together around shared priorities. In places like Taranaki, Eleanor describes a genuine sense of local ownership, where communities don’t just benefit from philanthropy, they actively shape it.Eleanor also makes a compelling case for better philanthropy advice. Giving well takes intention, clarity, and context. Drawing on her academic work, including a Winston Churchill Fellowship and a Master’s in Philanthropy, she explains why donors are most fulfilled when their giving aligns both with their values and with clearly articulated community need.We also unpack the word philanthropy itself. Often misunderstood, sometimes off-putting, and wrongly associated only with extreme wealth. Eleanor reframes it simply as private giving for public good, something all New Zealanders already participate in, whether through donations, volunteering, or sharing skills.Looking ahead, Eleanor’s ambition is clear. Community foundations should be seen not as places where money sits, but as active builders of community. With significant intergenerational wealth transfer on the horizon, she believes New Zealand has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to embed generosity into the fabric of every region.

In this SHORT episode of Purposely, we revisit insights from a past guest working at the intersection of financial advice, ethics, and values-led investing.She reflects on the decision to formally position her firm as an ethical investor, not because clients demanded it, but because it reflected who they already were. What surprised her most was how many clients moved quickly once the option was clearly explained. Many assumed investing was value-neutral and didn’t realise they were allowed to ask for more alignment between their money and their beliefs.The conversation explores what ethical investing looks like in practice, from screening for human rights issues to using simple tools that help clients express what they do and don’t want in their portfolios. One clear theme emerges: people are far more aligned on values than the industry often assumes.She also shares the firm’s unexpected journey to B Corp certification, discovering they were already operating well beyond the required standard thanks to years of careful governance, systems, and culture. The episode closes with practical advice for advisors and professionals wanting to bring values into their work, including where to start, how to build confidence, and why conversations about ethics don’t need to be complicated to be effective.This episode of Purposely is brought to you by Benevity and Trust Investments.

In this episode of Purposely, Mark Longbottom sits down with Tilda Bostwick, founder of Fundraising Talent, to unpack what fundraising really looks like as a profession. How getting the right people into the right roles matters more than ever for charities. Tilda lifts the lid on how fundraising has evolved in New Zealand. While many people still picture fundraising as street appeals or bucket collections, she explains how modern charities rely on highly specialised teams. From data and donor care to major gifts and strategy, fundraising today is complex, skilled work and it needs to be treated that way. Tilda shares her own path into the sector, starting with volunteering and grant writing, before moving into senior fundraising roles and eventually spotting a major gap. Charities were struggling to recruit well, often because fundraising roles were misunderstood or poorly defined. That challenge is what led her to launch Fundraising Talent.Starting a recruitment business just before COVID was not ideal timing. Tilda talks openly about the pressure that put on charities and on recruitment itself, and why many organisations later realised that not hiring, or hiring the wrong person, often costs more in the long run.A big part of the conversation focuses on expectations. Tilda regularly sees fundraisers hired with unrealistic KPIs, limited support, and the hope they will somehow “fix” income overnight. She explains why this leads to burnout and high turnover, and what charities can do differently. Clear roles, realistic targets, strong leadership, and a culture that values fundraising all make a difference.Tilda also shares what she looks for in top fundraisers. It is not just about personality or passion. Track record matters, as does strategic thinking, the ability to work with others, and staying power in roles. She also calls out common hiring mistakes like underpaying, vague job descriptions, and failing to invest in professional development.The episode touches on the changing shape of the sector, including more men entering fundraising roles, growing professionalism, and the use of AI tools in areas like grant writing. Tilda is clear that while technology can help, relationships and good storytelling are still at the heart of successful fundraising.For people considering a move from the corporate world into fundraising, Tilda offers practical advice on transferable skills, but also a reality check. Fundraising is rewarding work, but it demands resilience, commitment to purpose, and an understanding of the pressures charities operate under.The conversation closes with Tilda reflecting on why she stays in the sector. For her, it is about the people, the causes, and seeing what becomes possible when charities are properly resourced with the right talent.

In this SHORT episode of Purposely, we revisit insights from Kirsten Kilian-Taylor, Head of Philanthropy at Perpetual Guardian.Kirsten reflects on how giving in New Zealand is evolving, from traditional, tightly controlled models of trusteeship to approaches that allow more experimentation, partnership, and trust. Using the growth of Give A Little as an example, she explores peer-to-peer giving, donor choice, and what it really takes to back new ideas while still protecting donor intent.The conversation also digs into what funders look for in strong applications: clarity of purpose, honesty about need, evidence of impact, and the human story behind the numbers. Kirsten shares why unrestricted funding is still challenging, how professional trustees weigh up risk, and where tools like AI can help or hinder when charities are seeking support.This episode of Purposely is brought to you by Benevity, the all-in-one software solution that benefits employees, customers, nonprofits, and society.

This episode of Purposely is a little different.Instead of hosting the conversation, Purposely host Mark Longbottom is the one being interviewed — joining Azoora Ali on her podcast Care Beyond Profits. It’s a generous, wide-ranging conversation that gives listeners a chance to hear more about the story behind Purposely, the experiences that shaped Mark’s work, and the values that continue to guide him.Azoora takes Mark back to his early years growing up on Auckland’s North Shore, his long stint in the UK charity sector, and the journey that eventually led to the creation of Purposely Podcast. They talk about why Mark believes motivation is often overrated, and why consistency - especially when it’s scheduled - matters far more than waiting to feel inspired.The conversation also touches on health, wellbeing, leadership, and the balance between empathy and accountability. Mark reflects on what more than 260 interviews with purpose-led leaders have taught him about service, happiness, and the importance of clarity, even when leaders don’t have all the answers.Mark also shares insights from his role as Head of Community Engagement at Trust Investments, and his work connecting charities and for-purpose organisations with investment solutions that align financial performance with social and environmental impact.This episode offers an honest look at the thinking behind Purposely, the disciplines that sustain purpose-led work over time, and why serving others often brings deeper meaning to both leadership and life.A big thank you to Purposely sponsors Benevity and Trust Investments for supporting the podcast, and to Azoora Ali.

In this SHORT episode of Purposely, we revisit insights from Samuel Richards, exploring the role capital plays in creating social and environmental outcomes.Samuel makes a clear distinction between what we do with money and why we do it. Rather than seeing investors, philanthropy, and government as separate or competing forces, he frames them as parts of the same marketplace, each with a role to play.He talks about the importance of aligning capital with purpose and values, not just chasing labels like “impact”, “ethical”, or “sustainable”, which can distract from the real work. At its best, capital becomes an enabler, quietly connecting the system, supporting those closest to the problems, and helping solutions scale.Samuel also challenges the assumption that returns are the hard part. In his experience, it’s often perception, power dynamics, and language that get in the way, not performance.This episode is a thoughtful reflection for funders, investors, and advisors who want to think more clearly about how capital shows up in the world, and how it can support change without trying to own it.This episode of Purposely was brought to you by Benevity, the all-in-one software solution that benefits employees, customers, nonprofits and society, with thanks also to Trust Investments for their ongoing support.