Staff Giving FAQs
What is Hands Up For Students?
Some students face financial barriers or unexpected circumstances that can result in them having to drop out of their courses.
This could be as simple as not being able to afford transport, or not being able to replace a broken laptop.
Hands Up For Students is our staff giving appeal which invites staff to support the new fund, Staff For Students: The Wellbeing Fund.
This fund will be used to provide immediate emergency financial assistance for students and to establish early intervention programmes that will support their health and wellbeing.
We are asking all staff to support the appeal by making a donation.
It’s not about the size of the gift, but a show of confidence in the students and research that is supported across the University. Every donation counts.
What is Staff For Students: The Wellbeing Fund?
This fund will be used to provide immediate emergency financial assistance for students and to establish early intervention programmes that will support their health and wellbeing.
With help from staff at the University of Auckland students can receive vital support when they need it most. Together staff can demonstrate that no matter the bumps in the road we support and believe in our students and want to ensure they don’t have to give up on their degrees.
Can I choose where to direct my donation?
Of course! You can choose to support whichever area you are most passionate about. Whilst we have put forward the Staff For Students: The Wellbeing Fund as a priority area, you are welcome to give to any project across the University.
You can:
What areas can I support?
The University of Auckland’s priority area for staff giving is the Staff For Students: The Wellbeing Fund.
However, giving is about what you want to support. If supporting students is what you are interested in, you may choose to direct your gift towards scholarships, travel funds, or faculty-specific bursaries.
Otherwise, you may be more interested in choosing to support programmes for community outreach or educational access that help the wider community.
We also have a vast array of world-class research being conducted at the University.
View the different areas to support or browse to find a specific fund in our A-Z list.
Can I support more than one area?
Yes! You can select from a range of areas to support and select the ones that you are passionate about.
How much of my donation goes towards administration cost?
Nothing! 100% of your gift will go towards whatever area you have chosen to support. So you can rest assured your gift will go directly to helping the students and research that needs it most.
Why should I give to The University of Auckland Foundation over a different charity?
Giving is a personal decision and everyone has a unique reason for going so. We believe that making a donation to the University of Auckland Foundation is an investment in the future – the future of the businesses, organisations and communities in New Zealand that they will go on to shape and lead.
The diverse range of areas and research you can choose to support at the University means you can direct your donation to what you are passionate about.
The University of Auckland and our world class researchers are often the ones doing the important research conducted with smaller charity funds. If you want to support specific research giving directly to the University helps ensure your donation goes to support the research you care about.
There are no administration costs deducted so 100% of your gift will go towards whatever area you have chosen to support.
Doesn’t the government provide all of the University of Auckland funding needs?
Unfortunately the University receives only a small proportion of the funding it needs to help students continue their studies and address some of the biggest questions facing our communities. Without philanthropic support much of this vital work wouldn’t be possible.
For example, in 2019 958 students were awarded $4,977,858 in donor-funded scholarships and $38,839,811 was donated to support research across the University. These scholarships and research would not have been possible without generous support.
Does a small gift have much impact?
Absolutely! Even a modest contribution can have an impressive impact when we come together and combine our gifts as part of the University of Auckland staff community.
Our collective gifts could give a student the support they need when they face unexpected financial hardship, or help support a researcher uncover new discoveries.
Moreover, your participation (no matter the size of your gift) sends a powerful message to our students, alumni and the wider community that we believe in the work being done across the University of Auckland and that together we can have an impact on all our futures.
I already give my time and energy to the University. How will donating make a difference?
Staff have a unique insight into the life of the University. We witness the stress many of our students go through in relation to financial difficulty, or personally know the researchers who are unable to get funding to continue their vital work. We also see first-hand the impact education can have on individuals and our community. As staff we care deeply about all these things which is why we work as hard as we do.
Participation in the staff giving programme sends a powerful message to our students and our community that we care. We care about providing life-changing opportunities for students and are committed to building better communities. We care about the ground-breaking discoveries our researchers are working towards. Ultimately, we care about the work the University of Auckland is conducting, so we want to give our support.
Are my donations tax deductible?
Yes, the University of Auckland Foundation has charitable status in New Zealand and all donations $5 or above are tax deductible. If you give recurring gifts we will send you a summary of giving at the end of the financial year for your tax returns.
Gifts of money by New Zealand resident taxpayers to a charity receive exceptionally favourable treatment: namely a 33 1/3 % rebate on any gift (up to a limit of total net income for all gifts in a given tax year).
Can I sign up for pay-roll giving?
Yes, as an employee of The University of Auckland you are able to have a donation deducted from your fortnightly salary and donated to the student support fund of your choice.
How do I give to the University of Auckland staff giving programme?
If you would like to make a donation simply visit:
Can I remain anonymous?
Absolutely, simply check the box letting us know your preference when you complete the online form.
Can I alter my gift?
At any time you can make any changes you want to your donation. You can increase your donation, change where you support, or stop donating by calling Becky Calder on (09) 9234684.