Question 1

How much does membership cost?

Accepted Answer

$50 a month. It's a donation to the Bay Men's Fund you belong to locally — not a membership fee in the traditional sense. Part of it builds your local Future Fund (Invested Fund), and part goes toward the causes members vote on together each year.

Question 2

Where does my donation actually go?

Accepted Answer

It's split in two. Part goes into your local Future Fund, where it's invested and grows over time — building long-term, ongoing support causes you care about in your region. The rest goes toward collective giving: donations to local charities, decided by member vote, and awarded at your mens fund's annual celebration event.

Question 3

This looks sporty... do I have to be sporty?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely not. There will be a number of members who will be into all sorts of things, from golf to surfing. But equally, there will be just as many who would prefer to just chat over a coffee, or perhaps not come along to many events at all. 
Participate in ways that are good for you, as often or little as you want.

Question 4

How are the charities decided?

Accepted Answer

Every member nominates a charity they care about before the annual celebration event. Each member votes for the Top 3 nominated charities they could like to receive a donation. Then, once a year, at your fund's annual celebration event, the local charities who came in as the top 3 receive an equal share of that year's collective giving. These charities are usually in attendance on the night, so you'll get to meet them and hear their story.

Question 5

What's the annual celebration event?

Accepted Answer

It's the night your fund's giving is announced — members come together, hear from the charities they're supporting, and celebrate the year that's been. Part event, part impact.

Question 6

Is my monthly membership donation tax-deductible?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Your $50/month donation is tax-deductible — you'll receive a receipt to claim it from your local community foundation.

Question 7

Do I have to live in a particular region to join?

Accepted Answer

No — join whichever region suits you best. Keep in mind, events will always be held in your clubs respective region, so if you live out of region and want to attend, you may have to travel.

Question 8

Can I join more than one region?

Accepted Answer

Yes — join as many regions as you like. Each is its own membership donation, its own events, and its own annual celebration and votes on local charities for its area.

Question 9

Do I need to bring anything or know anyone?

Accepted Answer

Nope. Just yourself. Every event is designed so you can rock up solo and leave with a few more mates than you came with.

Question 10

Can I cancel my membership anytime?

Accepted Answer

Yes. There's no lock-in — all you need to do is give one months notice.

Question 11

Do I need to attend the events?

Accepted Answer

No - but you'd probably enjoy them if you did. Attending events is completely optional. Go to all, go to a few, or go to none. It's totally up to you. Most members go to the events which are centered around something they're interested in. i.e Golf Days, Smokehouse BBQs, Meetups etc.

Question 12

What happens to the Future Fund money — do I get it back?

Accepted Answer

No — it's not a savings or investment account. Once invested, it stays in your local Mens Funds Future Fund permanently, growing year on year so it can keep supporting causes your funds members pick long into the future. Once the Future Fund hits $25,000 invested, it starts paying out funding every year. This is added to the collective giving, and the group votes each year what charities the funds should go toward. Think of it like a boost, that gives back and grows for generations.

Question 13

Who runs Bay Men's Fund?

Accepted Answer

Bay Men's Fund is a partnership between our regions three community foundations; the Acorn Foundation (Western Bay Men's Fund), Eastern Bay Community Foundation (Eastern Bay Men's Fund), and Geyser Community Foundation (Rotorua & Taupo Men's Funds).

how it works

Join the club, go to stuff, vote on charities once a year. Here's how each part works.

three parts. thats it.

join

go

vote

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