The Catalytic Foundation (formerly United Way NZ Charitable Trust) helps individuals, businesses and philanthropists maximise their social impact.

They are interested in your community organisation's wellbeing a year after the Covid lockdown.

If you are part of a community organisation we invite you to complete this 4 minute survey as a check on your organisation's well-being and resource requirements, a year after the Covid outbreak. 

In the two previous COVID-19 community needs surveys, they have obtained very important feedback about the effect of the pandemic on community organisations and this enabled funders to help in many ways. The results of the survey will be collated by the Catalytic Foundation to help funders advocate for your organisation with philanthropists, employers, Government and donors. 

Click here for the 2021 Community Needs survey

Findings from previous surveys

• 98% of charities who participated in the research reported they have been effected by Covid-19
• Additional funding remains the primary way to help frontline charities (78% of charities surveyed reported this need).
• 49% of the charities surveyed need volunteer assistance.
• 48% report seeing an increase in demand due to Covid-19 and foresee this will be the case for the next 12 months

Anecdotal themes emerging

• Food banks and mental health charities in particular have experienced increased demand, as have those supporting youth and the elderly (One foodbank in Auckland reported going from 35-45 parcels per day usually to 794 in one day during April and Age Concern Whanganui received over 1200 phone calls in three days - mostly regarding online supermarket shopping).
• Many charities fear that the full effects of Covid-19 are yet to hit, they are preparing for increased demand in level 1 as centres re-open and services can resume.
• Some are commenting that if additional funding isn't found they may have to reduce services.
• Many are concerned that traditional funding mechanisms such as stores, gaming proceeds and funding rounds have been removed or disrupted due to Covid-19
• Many have had to adapt during lock down to supporting those in need via telephone calls as face-to-face support was not possible. Most reported staff and volunteers adapted well.
• Many charities comment increased anxiety levels among the community.
• Additional areas of enquiry included; counselling support, online shopping support, applying for benefits, wage subsidy enquires, employment and employment law queries and requests for food parcels.