The Eastern Bay Women’s Impact Fund has distributed almost $190,000 to vital local initiatives since its inception four years ago.

The impact fund – a dedicated giving circle focused on empowering women, children, and families in the region – recently completed its 2025 grant cycle, with 35 donors gathering at a luncheon last month to cast their vote for the latest recipients.

The recipients of the 2025 funding, as voted by the donors, were Waka Eastern Bay Community Transport which received $40,000 and Tautoko Mai Sexual Harm Support which received $5600.

Waka Eastern Bay – Wāhine on the Move Project will use the funding to enable local women, some of whom may have disabilities, to come together for social outings and assist them with transport to appointments – making transport accessible and connecting communities across the Eastern Bay.

The funding given to Tautoko Mai Sexual Harm Support service will be used to facilitate workshops for women after they have received crisis sexual harm counselling and will focus on rebuilding, healing, and living as a survivor of sexual harm.

Fund trustee Viv Barr said they were thrilled to be approaching the $200,000 milestone in local impact.

“Our giving circle is about more than just the money; it is about women coming together and directly investing in the future of the Eastern Bay, by supporting projects that benefit local women and children,” she said.

“We are incredibly excited and look forward to seeing the impact that Waka Eastern Bay’s project, will make.”

The women’s impact fund, managed by the Eastern Bay Community Foundation, is now open for 2026 and is seeking new and existing donors who wish to be part of this powerful giving circle.

There will be a lunch to launch the fund early next year, as it celebrates five years of giving. To find out more, go to www.ebcf.nz/womens-impact/