The Simply Foundation was launched in July 2024 with one simple mission: to help New Zealand communities thrive.

Founded by Simply Hospitality, the Foundation is funded through a commitment of funds from Simply Hospitality as the primary sponsor — a promise to reinvest a portion of our success back into the people, places, and projects that make Aotearoa better. We’re also working with our suppliers and customers to grow this fund further, with several already expressing interest in contributing financially or offering their skills, services, and products to support meaningful projects.

Our focus is on three key areas, known as the Simply³:

• Sustainable Initiatives
  Projects that support environmental protection, climate resilience, and low-waste innovation — from community gardens and zero-waste campaigns to solar-powered solutions and local restoration efforts.
  
• Societal Projects
  Community-driven initiatives that promote wellbeing, inclusion, cultural connection, and social impact. This could include education programmes, safe spaces for connection, cultural initiatives, and projects that address community needs.
  
• Start-Ups
  Early-stage ventures with a social or environmental purpose. We aim to support ideas that build skills, create pathways for underrepresented groups, or bring innovation to community challenges — especially in hospitality, sustainability, and training.

We are currently in the process of obtaining charitable status, which will allow us to formally open applications and begin distributing funds. Once this is in place, we will share clear criteria and a simple application process so that anyone with a strong community-focused idea can apply.

We are already working with our nationwide network — including hospitality businesses, suppliers, and professionals — to explore where we can make the greatest impact. Whether it’s a sustainable specialist offering options for community projects, or a supplier contributing to a shared goal, we believe in the power of collective good.

We’re here to champion local efforts, amplify grassroots innovation, and ensure that doing good is part of how business is done in Aotearoa. If your idea fits into one of the Simply³ focus areas, we’d love to hear from you.