Givealittle, Stuff and Neighbourly create a ripple effect in Kiwi communities

Givealittle has partnered with news site Stuff and neighbourhood social networking site Neighbourly to raise awareness of local causes and encourage generosity in communities around New Zealand.

Spark Foundation General Manager Lynne Le Gros says Givealittle is excited that more New Zealanders will become aware of local causes in their community.

"We know that people like to engage with their community and support local causes," she says. "By working with Neighbourly, we can highlight causes happening in neighbourhoods, such as the group raising funds for a new park two streets over; or an individual raising funds for their local school. With New Zealanders being one of the most generous people in the world, and with more than 550,000 Kiwis using Neighbourly, we're thrilled that this partnership will enable strong community awareness and support."

Stuff channels include news site Stuff.co.nz, Stuff print products and neighbourhood social networking site Neighbourly.co.nz. Stuff and Neighbourly have a combined audience of over 3.5 million each month. Neighbourly Co-Founder Casey Eden says the partnership will ultimately lead to many causes being better funded, subsequently making a positive difference in more communities.

Together, the partners have also launched Ripple Effect - an initiative that matches businesses with local and national causes listed on Givealittle. Ripple Effect will raise the profile of campaigns while giving credit to the generous businesses that support the causes.

"Companies believe in the value of giving back; it's not only inherently good for their culture and reputation, it's a way to contribute to the greater good," he says. "However, they don't often get due credit for doing so," Eden says.

"Ripple Effect is about linking like-minded causes and businesses and then telling as many people as possible about it via our combined networks. Whether it's a beach that needs buying, a community garden that will feed those in need or a local playground that needs a makeover, this initiative is a model that ensures everybody wins."

Le Gros believes Ripple Effect will make a big impact in New Zealand and hopes it will spark a new wave of corporate generosity.

"Ripple Effect enables Kiwis to connect with causes in their own patch and for businesses to be recognised for their support through the strength of the Stuff reach across the country and abroad," Le Gros says.

How it works:

Ripple Effect pairs like-minded businesses with causes at a local, regional or national level. The team are taking expressions of interest from businesses who want to give back and from community causes and projects needing a boost. The business invests in both the cause and promotion of the cause to maximise potential donations and to secure exposure and coverage of their support.

Notes to editor:

• Givealittle, crowdfunding platform for social good, is owned and operated by Spark Foundation. Whether for fundraising or donating, Givealittle is for all New Zealanders to use. More than $82 million has been donated on the site since its launch in 2008.
  
• Stuff is New Zealand's largest and most popular news site. With more than 500 journalists spread from Northland to Southland, Stuff covers breaking news, politics, business, sport, crime, the environment, health, education, home and property, food, lifestlye, entertainment, weather, travel, technology, motoring, farming and much more. As well as covering the stories of the day, Stuff specalises in investigative journalism, opinion and analysis, and long-form writing and visual storytelling. 
• Neighbourly is a free and private neighbourhood website for New Zealand. Using Neighbourly.co.nz, neighbours create websites for their communities to exchange recommendations on local services, ask questions, plan events, discuss local issues - and get to know one another. By creating more real world connections between neighbours and their community organisations, Neighbourly aims to build stronger, safe and friendlier plaes to call home.

Contact:

Rebecca Harrington

Special Projects Manager, Neighbourly

Rebecca.Harrington@neighbourly.co.nz