2021 Annual Report

LION FOUNDATION 2021 ANNUAL REPORT Our aim is to be New Zealand’s leading charitable trust, nationally recognised and respected for helping New Zealanders achieve great things in the community. We value integrity, compelling us to act honestly, ethically and transparently. For 36 years we have been working with NZ communities to make a difference. During this time we have granted over $985 million to support community projects across the country. In the last financial year we distributed more than $35 million to community-based organisations. We’re here to make a difference. Barnardos NZ “We can’t do the work we do without the help of generous supporters like The Lion Foundation.” – Dr Claire Achmad, General Manager Advocacy, Fundraising, Marketing & Communications THETHETHE LION LION LION FOUNDATION FOUNDATIONFOUNDATION | CHAIRMAN | CHAIRMAN AND AND CEO CEO REPORT REPORT Chairman and CEO Report CHAIRMAN’SCHAIRMAN’S REPORT REPORT CHIEFCHIEF EXECUTIVE’S EXECUTIVE’S REPORT REPORT Chairman’sThe LionThe FoundationLion Report Foundation has continued has continued its proud its proudthan inthan March in March 2020, 2020, when, when,as a nationas a nationwe weWhat anWhatChief interesting an interestingExecutive’s end to end our to2019/2020 our Report 2019/2020 financial financial year asyear as record of community fundraising over the past experienced a life changing pandemic. the Covid-19 pandemic presented unprecedented challenges I have had therecord privilege of community of writing thisfundraising message over to the the pastplatforms experienced disappear a lifeoverseas changing and pandemic.no resulting funding theWell, Covid-19 our 2020/21 pandemic financial presented year unprecedentedhas certainly beenchallenges an year, withyear, $38,296,847with $38,296,847 being beingdistributed distributed to Despiteto these unchartered times, The Lion - not only- not for only The for Lion The Foundation, Lion Foundation, our venue our venueoperators operators and and Lion Foundationsupport community forprojects several throughoutyears. Each Newyear is distributedDespite withinthese uncharteredNew Zealand. times, In addition,The Lionthe as entire interesting Class 4 one. sector, but also for our country as a whole. I am in awe ofsupport the impact community that the fundingprojects distributed throughout to NewFoundationunregulated Foundation wasplatforms, ablewas thetoable riskmaintain to of maintaingambling its strong harmits strong simply the entire Class 4 sector, but also for our country as a whole. Zealand. This represents our sixth consecutive Although COVID 19 was and remains a massive challenge community organisationsZealand. This has represents – none more our sixthso in consecutivethese positioncannot position be within measured withinthe accurately sectorthe sectorthrough or managed. through prudent prudent Despite Despite the impact the impact of the 75-dayof the 75-day lockdown lockdown period periodwhich whichwas was year of increased community funding year on for all, I feel it did bring our communities closer together, particularly challengingyear of increased times; of thecommunity positive impactfunding that year financialon financial governance, governance, highly highly effective effective imposed imposed nine days nine before days beforethe end the of endour offinancial our financial year, 2019year, 2019 year. We continue to improve systems and processes improved collaboration and certainly put many aspects of community organisationsyear. have on their communities; practices,practices, and robust and robustdisciplines. disciplines. We refocused We refocused has beenhas another been another successful successful year for year The for Lion The Foundation. Lion Foundation. to minimise harm from problem gambling in the life into perspective. For our team at The Lion Foundation, it and of theSince commitment Since1985 1985The of stakeholders LionThe FoundationLion Foundationand staff has as nowtheyhas nowour grantour policiesgrant policies to ensure to ensure that funding that funding was wasAs a result of a great team effort from our hard working communities we operate. Our preferred approach is to Ashas ahighlighted result of howa great exposed team the effort community from ourfunding hard model working navigatedistributed the challengesdistributed over faced $950over by $950million the sector. million to help to peoplehelp people targeted targeted towards towards the delivery the delivery of valuable of valuable and andvenue operators, our suppliers, industry partners, our not shy away from the risk that comes with any gambling venueis to any operators, detrimental oureffects suppliers, on the hospitality industry industrypartners, and our do gooddo thingsgood things– something – something we regard we regard as an as essentialan essential services services by community by community organisations organisations dedicated staff, along with the support and guidance This yearimpressive has been achievement. exceptional - and one that will not throughoutactivity, but New to engageZealand. fully and work collaboratively dedicatedour venue partners.staff, along It has forcedwith theus tosupport re-assess, and approach guidance impressive achievement. throughout New Zealand. from ourfrom Board, our Board, we were we onwere track on totrack deliver to deliver close closeto $40 to $40 easily beEvery forgotten. year asWe Imust pen pause this toreport, remember I continue those Wewith are the proud problem that sincegambling the Level health 4 Lockdownservices and millionthe things in community differently funding. and explore However, opportunities due to our toinability do things to that have sufferedEvery a yeartragic asloss I ofpen a lovedthis report,one, and I forcontinue Department We are of proud Internal that Affairs since tothe enhance Level 4 Lockdownand develop millionbetter. It in is community important that funding. we learn However, from those due to experiences our inability to to be toin beawe in ofawe the of positivethe positive impact impact that thatperiod periodwe have we havedistributed distributed almost almost $5m $5mto togenerate generate funds fundsover the over last the 9 lastdays 9 ofdays the offinancial the financial year, ouryear, our those incommunity the world that organisations continue to do havebattle againston their an supportbetter Harm these Minimisation community initiatives.organisations in their final grantsas we lookdistribution to improve total the was sustainability $38.3m - ofwhich our isfundraising still an ever evolving andcommunity threatening organisations virus. So many haveaspects on of their support these community organisations in their finaland ensure grants those distribution funds are total delivering was $38.3m maximum - whichbenefit. is still an communities. Being able, in an efficient and direOur timecore of purpose need. is distributing funds to communityextremely satisfying achievement. our ‘way of life’communities. have been disrupted Being andable, forever in an changed. efficient and dire time of need. extremely satisfying achievement. effectiveeffective way, toway, support to support these theseorganisations organisations Theorganisations Lion Foundation across remainsNew Zealand. committed Our toGrants its TeamWe are We very are proud very ofproud our Trusteesto have beenand team able whoto continue continued to fundto The financialin making (and a other) difference vulnerabilities is our “why”.of charitable It is have developedThe Lion Foundation initiatives to remains ensure thatcommitted how to toaccess its Wecommunity are very organisationsproud of our Trusteesthroughout and Newteam Zealandwho continued at a to in making a difference is our “why”. It responsibilitiesis responsibilities in respect in respect of problem of problem gambling gambling work tirelesslywork tirelessly from their from home their homeoffice officeenvironments environments through through- - organisationsalways alwayswithin incredibly Newincredibly humblingZealand humbling communities and inspiring and inspiringhave to and,fundingto as issuch, more continues easily understood to work diligentlyand actioned to by outour thistime restricted when they period needed so that that wefunding could the continue most. Ultimately, to fund it been exposedread the by list COVID of grant 19. recipients Our community every year. funding communities.and, as such,By way continues of example, to workthe introductiondiligently to of outis what this werestricted are here period for and so why that we we exist. could I wish continue to express to fund read the list of grant recipients every year. supportsupport our venue our venueoperators operators and customers. and customers. communitycommunity infrastructure infrastructure projects projects and critical and critical services services to help to help model isDuring clearly the exposed past yearto anywe detrimentalsaid farewell effects to informative webinars has proven to be a valuable tool.address my some gratitude of the and challenges thanks to facing our Board our country. of Trustees for their on New Zealand’sDuring hospitalitythe past sector.year weThe saidpandemic farewell Ourto venuesOur venues continue continue to beto ourbe mostour most addresscontinued some support of the throughout challenges the facingyear, particularly our country. through our Chief Executive Murray Reade. While I wish to acknowledge and thank my fellow Trustees has furthermoreour exposed Chief Executivethe vulnerabilities Murray ofReade. our key Whileimportant important

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