Purpose

QETF supports Quakers in Aotearoa NZ through education and spiritual growth and supports putting Quaker testimonies (simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality, and sustainability) into action.

Funds

Managed by: Religious Society of Friends Aotearoa New Zealand Trust Board

  • Quaker Education Fund (QEF) – Education and development
  • Testimonies Fund (TF) – Social Justice & Values in Action.

Friends are encouraged to make donations and bequeath legacies to either or both funds.

Funding Aims

  1. Spiritual deepening & growth
  2. Support for meetings & Yearly Meeting work
  3. Preparation for Quaker witness/service
  4. General learning & development

What we may fund

Individual grants:

  • Education/seminar fees
  • Travel for learning or service
  • Study materials
  • Mentoring
  • Out-reach and in-reach resources

Group Grants

  • Training workshops
  • Seminars
  • Library/resources upgrades
  • Guest speakers and facilitators
  • Community social action projects

Regular events which are funded

  • Junior Young Friends Camp (fun activities for young children)
  • Young Friends activities (aligned to Quaker philosophy)
  • Settlement workshops and seminars (aligned to Quaker Faith & Practice)

Scholarships:

  • Tessa Malcolm – To support a Young Friend (up to age 35) in tertiary study, up to $20,000
  • Margaret Caverhill – To support a significant educational opportunity for adult or young person, up to $20,000
  • QUNO Summer School – To support attending the two-week annual Quakers United Nations summer school in Geneva, up to $5,000

How to apply?

  • Please refer to the QETF Handbook (PDF) for full application details & information
  • Complete the Request Form (Word Document, PDF) and email to clerk@qetf.quakers.nz
    • Include any additional information or evidence of support as required
  • For applications over $5k: Full details & Monthly Meeting or Pastoral Care committee support – a decision will normally be made within a month
  • Tessa Malcolm and Margaret Caverhill scholarship applications close 31 October every year

Applications must include:

  • Support letter from the Monthly Meeting/Worship Group/Pastoral Care Committee or YF Clerk
  • Purpose & benefits of the request for funding
  • Agreement to return of unspent funds by end of the year
  • Invoices/receipts and detailed costings

Guidelines:

  • Whanganui seminars: Friends may claim 50% of registration and accommodation (1 seminar per year)
  • Young Friends: Only one letter of support required (YF Clerk or local Meeting).
  • Travel: First seek local meeting support, only then apply to QETF if extra help needed
  • Applications for travel costs must be made before the event and will not be made in retrospect

Committee and Process:

The current members are:

  • Adrian Skelton (Palmerston North MM)
  • Alan Greenslade-Hibbert: (Wellington MM) (Clerk)
  • Andrea O’Hagan: (Mid-North Island MM)
  • Esther Cowley-Malcolm: (Mid-North Island MM)
  • Jameson Brown: (Wellington MM)
  • Liz Remmerswaal (Palmerston North MM)

 

  • Normally four members (Clerk and Financial Administrator included), serving up to 3 year terms
    • The current member count is 6 because of the amalgamation of QEF and Testimonies Fund Committees.
  • Annual kanohi ki te kanohi meeting; other decisions via email/online
  • Discernment in Quaker worship
  • Annual report to Yearly Meeting

Make contact

Email:
clerk@qetf.quakers.nz