Introduction
The Love Queenstown Community Fund is a New Zealand-based charitable initiative dedicated to protecting and regenerating the natural environment of the Queenstown-Lakes region. Managed by Destination Southern Lakes in partnership with the 45South Foundation, the Fund connects visitors, tourism businesses, residents, and charitable organizations to support local environmental action through donations and grant funding. Its primary focus is on climate action, conservation, biodiversity, and ecological restoration.
Unlike organizations that provide basic research funding or academic research grants, Love Queenstown finances community-led environmental projects that generate measurable local impact. While it is not an enterprise foundation with private ownership, it operates as a collaborative charitable initiative that reinvests donations into environmental and community benefit.
History and Background
Establishment
Love Queenstown was established as a destination stewardship initiative to address the environmental pressures associated with one of New Zealand’s most visited tourism destinations. The programme enables visitors and tourism operators to voluntarily contribute toward protecting the landscapes and ecosystems that make Queenstown internationally renowned.
Collaborative Initiative
The initiative is managed by Destination Southern Lakes, a collaboration between Destination Queenstown and Lake Wānaka Tourism, and is delivered in partnership with the 45South Foundation, a registered charitable trust that administers philanthropic funding across the Southern Lakes region. This partnership combines tourism, philanthropy, and environmental stewardship to create long-term community benefits.
Mission and Purpose
Mission
Love Queenstown’s mission is to create “a thriving future for our people and place” by raising funds and awareness for grassroots environmental action. The initiative seeks to ensure that everyone—including visitors, businesses, and local residents—can contribute to protecting Queenstown’s unique natural environment.
Core Objectives
The Community Fund aims to:
- Raise funds for local environmental initiatives.
- Support climate, conservation, and biodiversity projects.
- Educate visitors about sustainable tourism.
- Encourage the tourism industry to participate in environmental giving.
- Build long-term environmental funding through endowment investments.
- Protect the natural heritage of the Queenstown-Lakes region.
Governance and Structure
Management
Love Queenstown is administered by Destination Southern Lakes, while charitable funding is managed in partnership with the 45South Foundation, ensuring that grant-making follows recognised charitable governance standards.
Independent Distribution Committee
Grant applications are assessed by an independent Distribution Committee consisting of local experts in philanthropy, sustainability, conservation, and environmental management. The committee evaluates applications and makes funding recommendations, while the 45South Foundation provides oversight to ensure charitable intent and accountability.
Ownership
Love Queenstown has no private ownership or shareholders. As a charitable initiative, donations are managed for public benefit and environmental conservation rather than commercial profit. This distinguishes it from a traditional enterprise foundation.
Funding and Grants
Funding Mechanisms
The Community Fund is supported through multiple funding sources, including:
- Visitor donations
- Contributions from tourism businesses
- Monthly giving
- Corporate partnerships
- Product or ticket-based donations
- Community fundraising initiatives
- Investment returns from the endowment fund
Endowment Fund
A distinctive feature of Love Queenstown is its long-term sustainability model. Twenty percent of all funds raised are invested in an endowment fund, administered with the support of the 45South Foundation. The investment income generated helps create permanent funding for future environmental initiatives while preserving the capital.
Grant Programme
Each year, Love Queenstown offers a competitive funding round for eligible charitable organisations working in:
- Climate action
- Conservation
- Biodiversity
- Ecological restoration
- Environmental education
Funding may support:
- Programme costs
- Project costs
- Operational expenses
- Eligible social enterprise models operated by charitable organisations
Recent funding rounds have offered grants ranging from NZD 5,000 to NZD 10,000 per project.
Research Grants
Love Queenstown is not a dedicated research funding organisation. It does not primarily award basic research funding or academic research grants, although projects involving environmental monitoring, conservation science, and evidence-based environmental management may be eligible when they deliver direct community and ecological benefits.
Major Programs and Initiatives
The Community Fund supports initiatives that protect and regenerate the Queenstown-Lakes environment.
Climate Action
Funding supports local organisations implementing practical climate solutions that contribute to a low-carbon and regenerative future.
Conservation and Biodiversity
Supported activities include:
- Native forest restoration
- Biodiversity protection
- Pest eradication
- Wilding tree control
- Habitat restoration
- Waterway conservation
Visitor Education
Love Queenstown connects visitors with environmental projects, encouraging responsible tourism and greater awareness of local conservation efforts.
Industry Partnerships
Tourism operators can become Impact Partners by contributing donations, supporting fundraising campaigns, or integrating environmental contributions into visitor experiences.
Impact and Examples of Work Funded
Since its launch, Love Queenstown has demonstrated measurable environmental impact.
Examples include:
- More than 8,000 native trees planted.
- Over NZD 70,000 granted to local environmental organisations.
- Ongoing annual Impact Grants supporting climate, conservation, and biodiversity projects.
- Long-term investment through the endowment fund to ensure future environmental funding.
- Support for initiatives involving native reforestation, waterway health, biodiversity restoration, climate education, and ecological regeneration.
The Fund’s emphasis on locally driven projects ensures that every eligible dollar raised is reinvested within the Queenstown-Lakes region, creating lasting environmental and community benefits.
Conclusion
The Love Queenstown Community Fund represents an innovative model of environmental philanthropy that brings together tourism, charitable giving, and community stewardship. Through transparent governance, strategic partnerships, annual grant programmes, and a permanent endowment fund, it enables visitors, businesses, and residents to contribute directly to protecting one of New Zealand’s most iconic landscapes.
Although it is not an enterprise foundation providing basic research funding or traditional research grants, Love Queenstown plays an important role in financing practical environmental solutions, supporting conservation organisations, and strengthening community resilience. Its long-term investment strategy and commitment to local impact ensure that charitable contributions continue to benefit the Queenstown-Lakes environment for generations to come.
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