Insights: Powering deeper change - funding advocacy

Funder interest in advocacy to support systems change is growing, with many funders in New Zealand and internationally seeking to sharpen their understanding and practice. Our latest Insights paper below reviews advocacy as a vital lever for change, identifies local resources and case studies of effective advocacy, and emerging international thinking. 

A funder hui convened by the Centre for Social Impact (CSI) and Philanthropy New Zealand identified three opportunities to help local funders:

• Raise visibility of what’s happening in Aotearoa around funding advocacy. 
• Gather funders to discuss their experiences and learning about supporting advocacy. 
• Identify advocacy spaces that funders can support collectively, alongside community partners.

The 2026 Philanthropy New Zealand Conference in March and the Combined Community Trusts Conference in November will offer two significant opportunities to share and learn together.