Rātā Foundation is the South Island’s largest philanthropic funder, dedicated to creating an equitable and sustainable society under the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. With a commitment to empowering communities, Rātā Foundation grants approximately $20 million annually to support community organizations in Canterbury, Marlborough, Nelson, and the Chatham Islands. Their broad funding focus spans across various sectors, including support, connection, participation, learning, and sustainability.

Rātā Foundation funds a wide range of projects, including building projects, small grants, large grants, and community loans. They also prioritize strengthening the sector through capacity building and have a specific focus on supporting Hapori Māori, as reflected in their Cultural Journey and podcast series. Rātā Foundation prides itself on sharing knowledge, offering good practice guides, resource links, and the Safer Kids Toolbox.

They are committed to supporting disaster response, conducting research, and promoting good practices. As a trusted partner, Rātā Foundation works closely with grant recipients, providing ongoing assistance and guidance