Supporting others to realise their dreams is the greatest gift of all
We all want to have a lasting impact on our communities. To support the causes that matter to us most and enrich people's lives. Yet, it can be tricky to know where to start. For Nigel, opening a Donor Advised Fund was a way to support others now and into the future.
Every September, we celebrate Wills Month to bring attention to the power of legacy giving. So, we recently chatted with donor and Auckland Foundation trustee Nigel Scott about his motivations behind giving and the advice he has for others.
Nigel is a professional director and has been on the Auckland Foundation Board since 2021. Nigel has over 30 years of experience in the NZ and UK financial markets with former roles as Executive Director at Hobson Wealth and the GM of ANZ Private Bank. He is currently a Director and the Interim CEO at BoardPro, Chair of the Peninsula Credit Fund, Director of Kōura Wealth, the VC fund Punakaiki. He is also a member of Business Mentors and the Institute of Directors.
Beyond his work, Nigel and his wife Cathy enjoy cycling and travelling. Combining their passions, they have biked across many destinations including Croatia and the Rocky Mountains.
What inspired their giving
Nigel and Cathy have been fortunate to have been helped and supported by many people over the years. For them, giving is a way to continue this theme and pass on support to others.
“We like the idea that through scholarships and other forms of support, we can help someone realise a dream or pursue an opportunity that might otherwise not have been possible for them.”
The couple hope that their giving can impact the lives of those in the community for many years to come. When they look ahead to what their giving may achieve in the next two decades, their aspirations are simple yet powerful.
“Ultimately, we hope that in some way a person, a family or a community has been helped — and that this support creates a ripple effect, leading to further positive impacts for others.”
A key reason they value their Donor Advised Fund is that it is perpetual. They are comforted knowing that their fund will help people long after they are gone, supporting the causes they care about and ones that they haven’t even thought of yet.
“There is something very rewarding about knowing that a decision we make today can continue to have a positive impact well into the future.”
Their advice
A common issue for people who are interested in giving is that they are unsure where to start. It can feel daunting and overwhelming.
Yet Nigel says it is a lot easier than people often realise.
“You don't need to have a huge amount of money or have everything worked out before you begin. The important thing is to identify the things that matter to you and find a way to contribute that feels meaningful.”
“Once you understand that even a relatively modest gift can make a genuine difference to someone else's life, it becomes a very powerful motivator.”
Through his experience, Nigel has found that giving can be simply built into your life over time, rather than something that has to be a one-off decision.
A legacy to support people to achieve their goals
Nigel believes that giving is easy, is important and it matters.
“For us, one of the most rewarding aspects of giving is the opportunity to help someone change their life or circumstances for the better. Sometimes it may be providing an opportunity, sometimes a helping hand at an important moment, and sometimes simply giving someone the chance to achieve something they might otherwise have thought was beyond them.”
“Often the people who benefit are people you will never meet, and the impact may happen in ways that you could never fully appreciate or see yourself.”
Nigel and Cathy's passion for enhancing the lives of those in our communities is inspiring reminder of the power of legacy giving.
“Ultimately, helping someone else to have a better future is a pretty special gift — both for the person receiving it and for the person able to give it.”
