Thank you to passionate philanthropist, Lee Stevens

Auckland Foundation would like to acknowledge the passing of Lee Stevens and pay tribute to him.

Lee was a passionate philanthropist who devoted his life to the work of the Rua and Clarrie Stevens Charitable Trust. Lee was an innovative giver who understood that community needs change and that funders must adapt to the community need and not the other way around. Always an inspiration, Lee absolutely walked the walk when it came to generosity.

In 2015 the Trust resettled with Auckland Foundation to ensure that support could be provided to our communities forever. This is a wonderful example of how a community foundation can support existing Trusts to manage succession and donor wishes in perpetuity. As generations change and the responsibilities on Trustees become more complex, the community foundation model is the perfect solution for existing Trusts to continue to support the causes and communities they were established for.

Lee will be so missed but the work of the Trust - now known as the Stevens Trust - will carry on in perpetuity through Auckland Foundation and the Advisory Committee, including Lee's beloved Penny.

"Few things in life are more worthwhile than having a purpose that is greater than being about oneself" Lee Stevens, The Power of Love, The Journey of the Rua and Clarrie Stevens Charitable Trust/

*Photo from the 50th anniversary event of the Trust - a journey Lee was very proud of, and the anniversary was to him a celebration of the community of recipients just as much as it was of the Trust.

For more information on resettling a Trust with Auckland Foundation please contact us on info@aucklandfoundation.org.nz.