Late in 2006 The Bishop’s Action Foundation (BAF) was approached by the New Zealand Down Syndrome Association (NZDSA) because they were facing the prospect of having to wind-up the organisation due to a lack of sustainable funding.
However, within the NZDSA were a number of passionate and committed people including changemakers Zandra Vaccarino (National Executive Officer) and Sue Hartley (Committee member). BAF met with them and then with the NZDSA Board and supported them to develop a funding strategy focused on unlocking the potential of the vast parent network connected to the NZDSA because of the valuable support provided across the country to children and families with Down Syndrome.
Through this strategy, BAF connected the NZDSA with entrepreneur and changemaker Henry van Asch and facilitated a series of partnership discussions. Following this process Henry committed to providing core funding to the NZDSA for a period of two-years to stabilize the organisation and with the agreement that BAF would continue to support the organisation to flourish.
Late in 2007, and as promised to Henry van Asch, BAF supported the NZDSA to refocus on its core mission and to develop a strategic plan for the years ahead. BAF has facilitated the review and refresh of the NZDSA strategy every 3-5 years since this new strategy was put in place, the latest being in 2021.
BAF also focused on supporting the capability and capacity building of regional Down Syndrome governance groups and the NZDSA national governance committee. This work spanned a number of years and involved leading national governance sessions in both 2012 and 2014.
In 2018 BAF supported the NZDSA to review its Constitution to ensure that it aligned with the new vision and purpose and has provided mentorship and guidance whenever required to the Executive Officer and Board.
Zandra Vaccarino, National Executive Officer, commented “What a significant contribution you have made to the NZDSA, and what a positive and empowering difference that has made to the lives of people with Down syndrome and their parents and whānau!”.