The Kennards Hire Foundation

Giving Philosophy

The Foundation believes in building long-term partnerships with non-profits, providing not just financial support but leveraging Kennards Hire's operational footprint through in-kind equipment donations, capacity building, and local team engagement. They focus on helping partners evaluate programs for impact and continuous learning, rather than one-off grants. Support includes funding, second-hand or at-cost equipment, advocacy, and practical operational assistance.

Tips for Applicants

The Foundation works with 16 established partner organizations and appears to focus on long-term relationships rather than open application processes. They value organizations working in youth disadvantage and environmental conservation. Demonstrating how you can leverage their operational footprint (equipment needs, local branch presence) and capacity building support will strengthen any approach. They particularly value programs that can demonstrate measurable impact and have evaluation frameworks. Consider how in-kind equipment donations and access to their branch network could enhance your program delivery.

Notable Grants

• $150,000+ in-kind donations to BackTrack in 2023 plus 13 pieces of second-hand equipment
• 214 Learning for Life scholarships to The Smith Family students over 25 years
• 43 tertiary scholarships to The Smith Family students
• Support for 550+ children through KidsCan NZ across 5 schools in Waikato/Bay of Plenty
• Funding for 100 beds across four MITS boarding houses in Richmond, Melbourne
• Support for AWC's Waulinbakh sanctuary (3,971 hectares) for threatened species protection

Financial History (5 years)