Philanthropic report finds deep and growing commitment to improving outcomes in the first 2,000 of a child’s life
A new snapshot report shows that Aotearoa New Zealand’s philanthropic sector has a deep and growing commitment to funding the first 2,000 days of a child’s life, says Seumas Fantham, Chairperson, Philanthropy New Zealand.
“The report finds that the majority of funders surveyed intend to continue investing in the first 2,000 days area into the future, with more than half of these intending to increase funding levels,” Mr Fantham says.
The research report was commissioned by the Ministry of Social Development in partnership with Philanthropy New Zealand as part of the Government’s ongoing work to deliver New Zealand’s Child and Youth Strategy.
The research included a literature review undertaken by Business Economic Research Limited (BERL), a survey of philanthropic organisations, and a workshop with Philanthropy New Zealand members to provide further insights.
Of the 34 organisations surveyed, a conservative total of $123.7 million of philanthropic money was invested over a two-year period (2023-2025).
“The research provides a snapshot of philanthropic investment in 2025 into the first 2,000 days, with insights into the philanthropic landscape including key players, investment priority areas, future intentions, drivers, barriers, and opportunities for collaboration and increased investment or impact,” Mr Fantham says.
The research found there are clear opportunities to strengthen the effectiveness of philanthropic investment prioritisation through improved:
· data sharing and cross-sector collaboration,
· culturally responsive approaches and capacity building, and
· learning from international models while strongly prioritising and investing in longer‑term funding models for initiatives developed within Aotearoa New Zealand
The report also identified challenges which could be addressed including:
· misalignment with government priorities,
· difficulties in measuring outcomes,
· fragmentation across funding bodies, and
· inequitable access in rural areas.
Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector and Minister for Child Poverty Reduction Louise Upston launched the report at the Philanthropy New Zealand Conference in Auckland recently.
“Supporting children,their families and whānau in the first 2,000 days (from conception to five years old) is one of three priorities under our Government’s Child and Youth Strategy,” Minister Upston says.
“Getting things right in this early stage of life can help set children up for success, break negative inter-generational cycles of disadvantage and influence life-long trajectories in health, education, and relationships with others.”
“This report tells me that New Zealand’s philanthropic sector is innovative and has a strong focus on providing systematic support to help Kiwi kids,their families and whānau in the first 2,000 days,” Louise Upston says.
“This year I’m working to raise awareness around growing giving, including maximising the impact of giving and valuing generosity in its many forms. New Zealand is one of the most charitable countries in the world, with an estimated $3.8 billion worth of philanthropic giving each year. We are working from a strong base. However sector experts tell me that we can do more to value and grow giving.”
“Philanthropic investment has a special and complementary role to play in relation to government funding - including supporting innovation, acting as a form of risk capital or seed funding in a way that government funding cannot.”
“Reports such as this are valuable. They draw attention to areas where investment is most needed and can be best prioritised. This knowledge helps government, businesses and communities to understand where to focus our future efforts to make a difference where it is most needed.”
Read the report: https://www.philanthropy.org.nz/first2000daysreport
Media contact:
Philanthropy NZ contact – Robyn Scott 027 6182400
Minister Upston contact - Olivia Westley +64 21 915 959