Businesses are being invited to support an endowment fund designed to provide enduring benefits to Te Kura O Tititea Mount Aspiring College (MAC) and the wider community.

The endowment fund is a “future-focused” initiative of MAC Foundation, the foundation’s chair Matt Williams said.

“It’s likely that none of us sitting around the table today will see the full benefit of this fund. But that’s exactly why it matters, it’s about long-term security,” Matt said.

“The value of an endowment increases over time, meaning gifts given now will support our school and community for generations.”

Late last year the fund received a $100,000 grant from the Ray and Elsie Armstrong Charitable Trust, alongside $154,000 from the MAC Foundation itself.

This means the foundation is almost a quarter of the way to reaching its initial target of $1M.

“We’re inviting business partners to join us and help grow this fund,” Matt said.

“By partnering with us, businesses will help enhance educational opportunities and school facilities, as well as support vital programmes that benefit students, teachers and families.”

He said the longer-term goal is to grow the fund to $5M, allowing interest generated from the investment to be used for annual donations to the school while reinvesting a portion to increase the fund’s capacity for years to come.

MAC Foundation has supported MAC since 1993, giving more than $600,000 since 2008. The foundation owns the MAC hostel buildings and the land on which they sit. 

In addition to the new endowment facility, the foundation funds a wide range of initiatives, including specialist staffing, music and library resources, hardship support for students, the Te Ūkaipō scholarship, and outdoor pursuits equipment.

MAC principal Nicola Jacobsen said the endowment fund enables the college to go beyond what is provided for by Ministry of Education funding.

“By contributing to this fund, the community is investing in the young people of Wānaka, ensuring they have access to the very best learning and wellbeing resources to enrich their education,” she said.

PHOTO: Supplied