Why the Foundation exists

The Foundation was established on 1 July 2025 as part of CCS Disability Action's new governance structure. It brings together assets that were built over nearly 90 years by CCS Disability Action branches across Aotearoa – communities that stood alongside disabled people and their whānau, often over generations.

The Foundation's role is to hold and grow these resources as a collective legacy, ensuring the financial sustainability of CCS Disability Action well into the future. Our work is guided by the pou of Te Aronui:

• Whānau Hauā | Disabled people – disabled people and their whānau are at the centre of everything we do

• Mātauranga | Knowledge – we draw on multiple knowledge systems, including lived experience and community insight

• Whanaungatanga | Relationships – relationships guide how we invest and who we invest with

• Hauora | Wellbeing – we consider the long-term wellbeing of people, communities and the environment

We see ourselves as kaitiaki | guardians of these taonga. Investment decisions are made not only for financial return, but with an awareness of their long-term social, environmental and community impact.

Our approach to ethical investment

The Foundation invests with a long-term horizon, guided by a clearly defined Statement of Investment Policy and Objectives (SIPO) – adopted by the Board of Trustees in April 2026.

Our investment approach is built on seven principles:

• Kaitiakitanga | Stewardship: We protect and grow capital responsibly for future generations.

• Whanaungatanga | Connection: Investment decisions recognise our connection to people, place and community.

• Intergenerational equity: We balance the needs of disabled people today with those of future generations.

• Sustainability: Returns must be sufficient for ongoing distributions while maintaining the real value of the capital base.

• Prudence: All decisions comply with the Trusts Act 2019 "prudent person" standard.

• Ethics & alignment: Investments are consistent with CCS Disability Action's mission and values.

• Transparency: Performance is reported clearly and regularly to governance bodies and wider stakeholders.

Responsible investment

The Foundation aligns with leading responsible investment practices in Aotearoa, including approaches taken by the NZ Super Fund. We will not invest in companies with significant involvement in cluster munitions, nuclear weapons, tobacco, anti-personnel mines, whale meat processing, recreational cannabis, or civilian automatic firearms. We also exclude companies with a record of serious and repeated human rights violations, and any investment vehicles unable to demonstrate compliance with ESG standards.

Our funds at a glance

The Foundation holds two distinct investment funds, each with its own objectives and distribution policy.

Primary Fund

The Primary Fund comprises the majority of the Foundation's investment assets – resources built across Aotearoa by CCS Disability Action communities over nearly 90 years. Its goal is to provide a sustainable, long-term income stream for CCS Disability Action services, while preserving the real value of the capital base in perpetuity.

• Approximate size: ~$68 million

• Asset allocation: 60% growth/40% income

• Expected long-run return (20 year): 6–7% p.a.

• Target annual distribution: Up to 4% of 5-year rolling average capital value

• First distributions expected: 1 July 2027

Brian George Estate Fund

The George Estate Fund honours the legacy of a generous gift in will to support disabled people in the Waikato region. It is ring-fenced for this purpose and currently distributes approximately $250,000 per annum to activities and organisations benefiting the disabled community in Waikato.

• Approximate size: ~$5 million

• Asset allocation: 50% growth/50% income

• Expected long-run return (20 year): 5.7–6.7% p.a.

• Target annual distribution: ~$250,000 per annum

• First distributions expected: Ongoing