First Foundation

It's hard to put into words the impact someone like Milly Whitefoot has on an organisation.

Three years ago, Milly joined First Foundation with the challenge of building our fundraising function from the ground up. There were no established systems, no pipeline, and no roadmap, just a vision and the determination to make it happen.

Today, because of her leadership, we have stronger partnerships, meaningful engagement opportunities, and a fundraising foundation that continues to create life-changing opportunities for more rangatahi across Aotearoa.

But those achievements only tell part of the story.

Milly cared deeply about growing First Foundation and ensuring we had the resources to support more young people. But alongside every partnership, every event, and every conversation, the scholars remained at the heart of her work.

She championed their stories with care, authenticity, and respect, creating opportunities for them to connect with people who could help shape their futures. She believed in every scholar she met, and they felt that belief in return.

She brought that same generosity to our team. Whether welcoming new colleagues, sharing her knowledge without hesitation, or always making time to support those around her, Milly helped shape the culture of First Foundation just as much as she shaped its fundraising success.

And, of course, we can't forget Blue the dog. A regular visitor to the office, he had an uncanny ability to brighten everyone's day, wandering from desk to desk collecting pats and spreading a little extra joy. He became a much-loved part of the First Foundation whānau too, and we'll miss seeing his happy face around the office.

The legacy Milly leaves behind can be seen in every new partnership we've built, every supporter who continues to walk alongside us, and every additional scholar whose journey has been made possible through the foundations she created.

While we're sad to see her go, we couldn't be more excited to see her begin this next chapter as Head of Philanthropy at Auckland City Mission. We know she'll bring the same passion, integrity, and unwavering commitment to making Aotearoa a more equitable place.

From all of us at First Foundation, thank you, Milly.

Thank you for believing in our mission, for believing in our scholars, and for believing in all of us.

We're so grateful for everything you've given over the past three years, and we can't wait to see the impact you'll make next.

Ngā mihi nui, Milly.

Once part of the First Foundation whānau, always part of the whānau. 💙

We're finalists in two categories at the 2degrees Auckland Business Awards 🎉

People's Choice, and Excellence in Strategy.

For 28 years we've backed rangatahi with big potential and not much in the way of resources. Most become the first in their whānau to reach university.

Voting for People's Choice is open again and runs until September. If you voted for us last round, ngā mihi, and we'd love you to do it one more time.

Every vote puts these young people in front of more people who'll back them. 💙

When she was small, her mum couldn’t afford a babysitter, so she took her along to her own night classes.

A single mum who came from Thailand with nothing, worked farms and markets and long hours, and never stopped studying. She watched all of it, and it’s the reason she works the way she does.

She’s 16, works part-time to help with rent, and wants to be a therapist, to support others the way her mum supported her.

She’s one of hundreds who applied this year. The talent is real. The opportunity isn’t there for all of them yet. That’s what a Scholarship Partner changes.

“Walking into a big Fletcher Building office for the first time was intimidating, but the team never made me feel like just the student.”

That's Kayne Ridden, First Foundation scholar, interning at Firth while he studies engineering at the University of Canterbury. He's the first in his family to go to university.

Kayne is one of 81 scholars Fletcher Building has backed over 27 years. Not just funding, but managers who became mentors, teams who made room, and a steady anchor while rangatahi found their feet at uni and in life.

To everyone at Fletcher Building, ngā mihi nui. When you back one scholar, the whole whānau feels it, and so do the siblings and cousins who now believe university is for them too.

Good kai, great company, and a whole lot of aroha. 💛⁠
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Recently, our T&G Global scholars, Nevaeh and Tevita, joined the Turners & Growers team for lunch, a chance to connect in person and feel the manaakitanga of the people behind their scholarships.⁠
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Moments like these are what our partnerships are all about. More than financial support, it's a whānau of people genuinely invested in our scholars' journeys and cheering them on every step of the way.⁠
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"Growing Healthier Futures is at the heart of what we do at T&G. Through our partnership with First Foundation, we're proud to invest in talented young people by supporting their education, development and future careers. It's a privilege to see our scholars thrive and we're delighted to be part of their journey." — Carly Ford, T&G Global⁠
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Ngā mihi nui to the whole T&G whānau for making Nevaeh and Tevita feel so welcome. 💛

For the past two weeks, our office has been a little livelier!

Amy Grinstead, one of our 2024 Hubbard Foundation Scholars, joined us for a two-week internship. She pitched in with admin tasks and turned her hand to whatever the team needed, bringing energy, curiosity and a fresh set of eyes to our everyday mahi.

There's something really special about watching one of our scholars step into the workplace and find their feet. That's the whole reason we do what we do.

Thank you for everything Amy. It's been a pleasure getting to know you and we can't wait to see where you head next.

Ngā mihi nui!