YMCA Foundation
Making a positive difference in the lives of families, children, and young people in our local communities
The YMCA Foundation was set up through the generosity of one of our members with a vision to invest in strengthening our Youth Movement nationally and bring better development outcomes to tamariki, rangatahi and our communities, for a better future.
How to make a lasting impact?
We have a proven track record in building strong kids, strong families and strong communities. Giving to the Y Foundation is easy and fulfilling, and we know where our communities’ greatest needs are and, crucially, who is doing impactful work.
Through donations, bequests, equity funding programmes and regular payments - your contributions make a tangible difference to the lives of young people and communities across Aotearoa.
What impact will your donation make?
Youth Development Scholarships
Our aim is to support the education and empowerment of young people across Aotearoa to lead lives that make a positive difference our communities. One way we do this is by funding scholarships for outstanding young people.
Callum Clark, Sarah Cashmore, Eileen Basher
We partnered with the Whitireia Foundation to offer a scholarship for Sarah Cashmore (Ngāti Porou) to further her studies through a Bachelor of Youth Development with WelTec / Te Pūkenga in 2025.
As a student at Aotea College from 2018-2020, in her first year Sarah was awarded the NZ Police Commissioner’s Medal, and in her final year both the Sisterhood Award and the Overall Girls’ Outstanding Role Model Award.
Sarah has been active in youth and community work for several years. She was a boxing coach and mentor at Cannons Creek Boxing Academy for six years and has been a Youthline crisis line responder and facilitator. She is currently doing placement and work experience at Challenge 2000.
“I’ve had the chance to do amazing things such as 1:1 mentoring, running Youth Week, creating community events and running after school programmes,” Sarah says.
Now in her final year of the WelTec / Te Pūkenga Diploma in Youth Work, Sarah is poised to pursue a bachelor’s degree.
I have a huge passion for young people and advocating for our rangatahi. Undertaking this degree will allow me to further develop my knowledge in the career I’m very passionate about. This will also open up more opportunities for me to learn more about the sector and how I can be a positive intentional youth worker in my community.”
Ka pai Sarah!
