Celebrating Grant Recipient Funded's Launch and Expansion
- jemmabalmer3
- Jun 3
- 3 min read
The Christchurch Foundation is delighted to witness the remarkable journey of Funded, a transformative digital platform poised to revolutionise the funding landscape. With its successful launch in South Australia and the recent New Zealand launch, Funded's impact is already being felt. The Christchurch Foundation has proudly supported Funded since its inception through the Women Entrepreneurs Fund and plans to utilise the platform for further Women Entrepreneurs Fund rounds in the future.
Funded, the brainchild of the dynamic Ōtautahi duo Bonnie Humphrey and Averill Roser-Must, is driven by a powerful vision: to bring equity and transparency to the funding process. This vision was born from their own frustrating experiences navigating the complexities of research funding during their PhDs.
“Why is it so hard to find funding, even when it’s out there? We believe funding shouldn’t be the hardest part.”
Bonnie Humphrey
Funded's core mahi is to provide a user-friendly platform that connects fund seekers with funders. This innovative platform streamlines the funding process by matching funders and fund seekers, making it more efficient and accessible for everyone.
The Christchurch Foundation's support has been instrumental in Funded's journey. As recipients of the Women Entrepreneur Fund grant, Bonnie and Averill received not only financial assistance but also invaluable validation of their concept. This grant, an initiative championed by Joy Shivas, underscores The Christchurch Foundation's commitment to empowering women in business.
As well as the grant, The Christchurch Foundation team and Board played a crucial role in facilitating connections and providing guidance, such as an introduction to Kay Burton, Founder of the South Australia Philanthropy Network. Kay became involved in co-developing a version of Funded that was tailored for placed-based giving in South Australia, contributing her insights from the funders’ perspective.
The South Australia launch in March 2025 was a momentous occasion, marked by a high-profile event with Human Services Minister Nat Cook in attendance. This successful launch showcased Funded's potential to create tangible impact by connecting funders with impactful local projects. The event also provided a platform for funders and fund seekers to articulate the challenges within the current funding ecosystem, further validating Funded's mission.
“It was so wholesome to be over in Adelaide and be in that room. For ages, we've just had our head in business development, actually getting this platform off the ground. When we walked into that room and had those amazing conversations with people, it really hit us both. Funded is going to change people's lives and make a real, tangible impact for charities,” said Averill.
While Funded has had a soft local launch focused on community growth, the long-term vision is expansive. Funded aspires to become the leading funding platform across various sectors and extend its reach into international markets. The Christchurch Foundation is immensely proud to have been a catalyst in Funded's journey.
“We wouldn't be here without The Christchurch Foundation. Your belief in us, and backing us for all these years, has been some of the most impactful support we've received.”
Averill Moser-Rust
“The way the Women Entrepreneurs Fund is run is how we'd love philanthropy and grant funding to happen, everywhere," Bonnie adds.
For Kiwis reading this, Funded is now live! Visit Funded to start using the platform today. Funded also wants to hear from forward-thinking funders, fund seekers, and community leaders eager to embrace a new era of accessible and impactful funding - reach out to Bonnie and Averill through their website.
Congratulations to team Funded!
