General

• How does catalytic philanthropy change Telecom Foundation’s funding approach?

  In the traditional model foundations have tended to fund organisations to run programmes and not got involved beyond being a funder. Catalytic philanthropy identifies a social issue or intractable problem to tackle and takes responsibility for achieving measurable results in that area. The approach can include mobilizing a campaign for social change, stimulating cross-sector solutions and working with stakeholders to create shared solutions. All tools are ultilised for change including corporate resources, relationships, advocacy and funding. Telecom, in adopting a catalytic approach, will no longer focus on funding organisations that are outside the scope of the social issue it chooses to make a difference to.

• Can I apply for a grant from the Telecom Foundation?

  The Foundation will not be running an annual grant applications process but will instead seek to work with organisations and apply resources to to building a better future for Kiwi kids. More information about how this will work will be available when the catalytic philanthropy strategy is developed.

• What will my donation to the Telecom Foundation be used for?

  Your donation to the Telecom Foundation will be pooled with Telecom’s own funds tagged for catalytic philanthropy to undertake a programme for social change geared at building a better future for Kiwi kids. Your donation will not be used for operational or administrative costs of the Foundation.

Leadership grants for Employees

• Am I eligible for a Telecom Foundation Leadership Grant?

  If you are a permanment employee serving on the Board of a not-for-profit organisation such as a charity or school, you can apply to the Foundation for a Leadership Grant for that organisation.

• What types of organisations are eligible?

  Donee organisations that have been given approved donee status by Inland Revenue such as schools, charities, community groups and some sports clubs.

• How much is the grant?

  $1,000 per annum per organisation.

• If I serve on more than one board, can I apply for multiple grants?

  Only one grant is available per employee, so if you are serving on a number of organisations you will need to choose which one you wish to receive the grant.

• How are the grants allocated?

  Requests for Leadership Grants will be considered on a first-come-first served basis until the $200,00 fund is exhausted.

• How do I apply?

  Step 1 is to fill out the Foundation application form providing some basic information about your role and the organisation.

  Step 2 involves a review of the organisations donee status, following this a Foundation representative will be in contact to request a minute or letter from the Board stating that you have been on the board for at least 3 months and there is a reasonable expectation that you will serve for 12 months or more.

• Will the grant be acknowledged publically?

  If your organisation receives a Leadership Grant, the Telecom Foundation will publicise the grant, and may choose to publish a small story about the organisation and your role in it.

  In return, we would ask that your organisation acknowledges the Telecom Foundation’s donation in its own publicity.

Payroll giving for Employees

• Why is Telecom introducing Payroll giving?

  Telecom is extremely proud that it is the first New Zealand corporate to launch a universal scheme of payroll giving – no strings attached with staff free to choose the charities and non-profit organisations that have significance for them. We are introducing Payroll giving because we believe it is an easy low cost way to raise money for various charities and build relationships and partnerships with various charities in the community.

• I’ve heard Telecom will match my donation? Is this true?

  Yes Telecom has agreed to match dollar-for-dollar donations to any registered charity and school donations up to NZ$1 million. Telecom’s donations will be limited to $1,000 per employee. The Telecom Foundation will administer and report on the matched giving funds.

• What are the benefits of payroll giving?

  Currently when a person makes a donation to a donee organisation they are entitled to a tax refund of 33% of the amount donated. However, the donor must obtain a receipt for the donation from the donee organisation and send in their donation receipts together with an application for a tax refund to the IRD at the end of the tax year.

  Payroll giving enables you to make regular donations from your pay to non-profit organisations that are “donee organisations” via the payroll system. As a Telecom employee who donates you get an immediate tax benefit instead of having to wait a year to get a refund. It also enables you to make regular donations of smaller amounts and because the deduction occurs before you receive your pay, hopefully you won’t miss the money or lose any receipts in order to claim the tax refund!

• When will I receive the tax credit for my donation?

  The tax credit for payroll donations is 33 cents for every dollar donated. If you make a donation through payroll giving you’ll receive the tax credit in the same pay period.

• Is there a minimum amount for a donation?

  Yes the minimum amount is $5 per donation.

• Do I have to participate in payroll giving?

  No. Payroll giving is voluntary. You can choose whether you want to participate or not.

• What is a donee organisation? Is it the same as a charity?

  A donee organisation has been given approved donee status by Inland Revenue. A charity can also be a donee organisation (but not all donee organisations are charities).

  A list of approved donee organisations is available on Inland Revenue’s website, www.ird.govt.nz/donee-organisations.

  More detailed information about charities can be found on the Charities Commission’s website, www.charities.govt.nz.

• Telecom doesn’t have the bank account details for my preferred donee organisation. Can I ask to have them added? How do I do that?

  Yes, you can suggest donee organisations through the portal and you will be notified when the details of the organisation have been verified to begin payroll giving. Unlike many other organisations we are not limiting who you can donate to.

• If I choose to take part in payroll giving, do I have to make a donation from every pay?

  Telecom’s payroll giving scheme allows you to make one off donations or regular donations each pay period. All of this will be done through the portal and there will be online guide explaining how to do it.

• Can I change my donee organisation, or stop donating?

  You can stop donating at any time you just need to update your donations via the portal. If you want to change your donee organisation you will need to go into the portal and make the change. You will find more helpful information in the portal.

• Are there a minimum and maximum number of donations I can make?

  You don’t have to make any donations, so the minimum is zero.

  There are a maximum number of 4 donations per pay cycle for each employee. These can be a mixture of one off donations made from one pay, or ongoing donations where you elect how many pays you want to contribute for.

• How does a payroll giving scheme work?

  You are entitled to a tax credit of 33% of the amount you donate. This tax credit is offset against your PAYE liability for the pay period in which the donation was made. Donations can only be made once you have met all your other legal and tax obligations (e.g. child support, student loan repayments) from your pay for that pay period.

• Who do I contact if I have a query about payroll giving?

  • You can contact the Payroll Services team who can direct your query to the right person
  • You can contact the team at the Foundation

Volunteer days for Employees

• Why is Telecom introducing Volunteer Day?

  We are introducing Volunteer Day because we believe philanthropy is about more than just giving money. We wanted an approach that encouraged and enabled grass roots generosity, and meant all Telecom people could become ‘philanthropists’ in their own right.

  Telecom is giving staff one paid volunteer day each year to support the charity of their choice. The volunteering options are endless, from serving food at the City Mission to helping a primary school develop a financial strategy. Staff have the autonomy to decide what matters most to them and choose how they use their time and expertise to make a difference.

  Individual staff or teams, looking for opportunities for their volunteering day should refer to the projects listed on this website here.

  If your team requires special assistance to coordinate a large group volunteering day, please contact the Foundation office for information and guidance.

• How much leave will I get?

  You will get 1 day’s leave paid.

• Who is eligible?

  All permanent and fixed-term employees (full-time or part-time) are eligible to apply for paid volunteer leave in accordance with the terms of this policy.

• When does the leave become available?

  Eligible employees will receive their volunteer leave entitlement of one day on their start date and on 1 July each year after that.

  Volunteer leave cannot be accrued year to year. The entitlement lapses if not used by 30 June each year.

  Volunteer leave can be applied for on any of your normal working days (excluding statutory holidays).

• How do I apply for volunteer leave?

  1. You are required to login to the Foundation website and register for your volunteer day on the Telecom Foundation site.
  2. The Foundation will then issue an approved project ID number to you and your manager by email.
  3. After receiving this ID you will be prompted to apply for the leave in the Portal.
  4. Your manager will only approve leave where a Telecom Foundation ID has been issued.

  Proposed dates for taking volunteer leave should be discussed with your People Leader as early as possible to take into account the team’s operational needs and resource requirements.

• We are organizing a team volunteer day, how does this work?

  Team volunteering days are a great way of building team spirit and working together in a different environment. Teams looking for opportunities to use their volunteering day together should refer to the projects listed on Foundation website here.

  You can identify some team activities by looking at the Volunteering Toolkit and/or searching the Volunteering Site and blog for ideas.

  Once your team has agreed on your volunteer day project, a representative of the group will need to register the project/activity with the Foundation here and then invite members of the team to join the event to be issued an approved project ID. You will then need to individually enter your volunteer leave into the Portal.

• How will I be paid?

  You will need to organize volunteer leave on a normal work day and the usual base pay will be paid for this leave. Please note that need to meet any volunteering expenses (e.g. travel costs) incurred when you take volunteer leave, you will not be reimbursed by Telecom.

• Who can I volunteer for?

  The Foundation will approve volunteer projects with registered charitable or community organisations. From time to time the Telecom Foundation may organise or facilitate volunteering opportunities.

  The Telecom Foundation website will provide more information on eligible organisations.

• What are my volunteer leave responsibilities?

  • To engage your People Leader early on in scheduling leave, apply for an approved project ID from the Foundation and use the correct leave application channel in the portal.
  • To take responsibility for your own health and safety and your teams whilst on volunteer leave. Telecom has a number of hazard control plans and guides on its health and safety intranet and you should familiarise yourself with these depending on the type of volunteer activity you will be undertaking.
  • Employees should not sign any disclaimers with the volunteering organisation without prior approval from the Volunteering team.
  • Telecom and its employees are not covered by Telecom’s professional indemnity insurance or indemnities while volunteering.

• Can I delegate my volunteer leave to someone else?

  No.

• What is skilled volunteering?

  This is about applying the professional skills we use every day at work to our volunteering. It is a powerful way to add real value to your community work, for example:

  1. Our legal team providing legal advice at the Citizens Advice Bureau
  2. Our leadership teams mentoring charity leaders or principals at schools
  3. Finance experts helping out with business plans, etc.

• Who do I contact if I have a query about volunteer days?

  • You can contact HR who can direct your query to the right person
  • You can learn more about Volunteering on the intranet
  • You can contact the team at the Foundation