Changing Ourselves: What does it take to be a systems change funder?
The Peter McKenzie Project (PMP) has always been a bold experiment – an effort to fund differently and learn from the results. Developing out of the economic, social and philanthropic context of the first decade of the 2000’s, it has evolved and changed considerably since it was conceived in 2011. PMP today is quite different from what Peter McKenzie originally envisioned – but as an innovator and disruptor we believe he’d be excited by what it’s become…
Evolving and Adapting – Funding Systems Change in a Changing System
When the Peter McKenzie Project was first conceived in 2011, it emerged from particular moment in time.
Despite the near collapse of the global financial system in 2008, neo-liberal free market policies remained economic orthodoxy. Economic growth was assumed to reduce poverty. Yet in Aotearoa New Zealand, poverty and the gap between the rich and the poor had been rising for decades…
From Trust to Authentic Connection: How Centering Relationships Has Shaped PMP’s Journey
The Peter McKenzie Project is part of the broader philanthropic system and is itself a system. We have embodied systems change by placing relational practice at the heart of our mahi…
Funding Systems Change: What We've Learnt
Here are some of the key reflections from our journey so far – in the hope that they spark recognition, reflection or questions of your own.
Reflecting on systems change and our PMP journey
Our PMP team has been reflecting on our developing understanding of systems change and our PMP journey.
The move to participatory philanthropy and the evaluative questions it raises
When PMP started, the Committee wanted to fund initiatives with innovative ideas designed to attack the systems holding child poverty in place.
Kia whai wāhi mai te tini tangata ki te tukuoha - Moving to a participatory philanthropic approach
In 2021, ngā kaikōkiri and the PMP Committee gathered to discuss whether there was interest in moving towards a participatory model of philanthropy, and if so, what a model might look like.
Te arotake i te panoni pūnaha - Evaluating systems change
While having an impact on child and whānau wellbeing drives PMP, measuring, or evaluating any difference it might be making is complex.
Āta haere kia koke whakamua - Go slow to go fast
Perhaps the most important advice we got when we started our PMP journey was to go slow to go faster later. This was not an easy path to take!
Me aro ki ngā mātāpuna - Funding systems change work
As the Peter McKenzie Project has evolved, we have discovered that system change work needs a radically different funding approach.
Ka rawakore, ka ora rawa atu rānei - Child poverty or flourishing whānau
Over time PMP’s vision shifted away from a focus on eliminating child poverty, to asking us to imagine an Aotearoa New Zealand where all children and whānau flourish.
What hasn’t worked, or at least not yet
Along the way, some things haven’t yet resulted in what we hoped for.
The value of Mahi Tahi hui
Everyone working in an equity focused not for profit organisation knows the drill. Your work is your life, you believe in it so much, you are fully committed to it.
Reflections from Committee Chair Jonathan Usher
Having the opportunity to be involved with the Peter McKenzie project in its formative years has been such a privilege…
Reflections from Mike O'Brien
When I was first contacted about being part of the Peter McKenzie Project, I didn’t hesitate to accept...