Transformational change rarely happens in isolation. When communities, tangata whenua, philanthropists and government work together around a shared purpose, systems can shift - possibilities expand, resources go further and contributions multiply in ways no single organisation could achieve alone. But genuine collaboration doesn't happen by chance. It takes work, trust and a willingness to expand the tent.

At this CSP event in Papatoetoe, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, we explored what this looks like in practice.

We heard from inspirational leaders including Dame Ranjna Patel (Gandhi Nivas, Mana 4 Mums) and Rowan Simpson (Hoku Foundation), alongside John McCarthy (The Tindall Foundation), Jamie Tuuta (Ka Uruora) and James Palmer (Community Finance and Community Housing Funding Agency) , in conversation with Jenny Gill (MAS Foundation, Te Rourou One Aotearoa Foundation, The Selwyn Foundation). A special thank you to our hosts Dame Ranjna and her husband Dr Kantilal, and the wider Swaminarayan Complex community for their generous hospitality and for sharing a setting that is itself a powerful symbol of service, connection and community.

While the cause areas that were spoken about included housing, support for young mums, domestic violence, and providing support for whānau in need – they also opened up conversations, and illustrated successful examples of, much broader concepts.

There were themes of philanthropy as a “connector” or “intermediary”, that it can be more than funding alone, and the importance of “opening doors for others to walk through”. We heard philanthropy described as the “venture capital of the social sector”. We talked about finding 21st century solutions for today’s issues, which requires innovative ways of supporting – and we saw fantastic examples of exactly that. And we heard different views on where someone might start when thinking about their own giving – their own passions, or what they know, but always with an eye on how they might contribute.

We hope the day provided much food for thought, as well as wonderful conversations over delicious kai! As Bill and Kristen talked to, we invite you to think about how some of what you heard may apply to the areas that you’re interested in, and we would welcome a conversation with you about that as we continue to expand the tent together.