ABOUT LiiFT AOTEAROA
A capability-building framework
for community organisations
LiiFT Aotearoa is ANCAD’s capability-building framework for community and not-for-profit organisations across Aotearoa New Zealand.
LiiFT supports organisations to strengthen the practical governance, leadership, funding, financial, and people capability needed to operate well, respond to change, and remain sustainable over time.
Community organisations face different challenges at different points in their journey from establishing strong foundations, to navigating growth and complexity, to stepping back and re-imagining what comes next. LiiFT recognises this and helps organisations focus on what matters most now, rather than trying to do everything at once.
WHAT LiiFT IS
LiiFT Aotearoa is a framework, not a single programme or fixed pathway.
It brings together:
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An understanding of organisational development across stages.
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Core capability areas that underpin effective community practice.
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Learning, facilitation, resources, and support that can be accessed as needed.
There is no expectation that organisations “complete” LiiFT.
Organisations can engage with learning and support that fits their current context and return as their needs evolve.
WHAT THE NAME
LiiFT MEANS
The two “i”s in LiiFT stand for inform and inspire. They also symbolise people, partnership, and collaboration.
“LFT” stands for Learning for Today, reflecting ANCAD’s commitment to timely, practical learning that responds to current challenges while supporting future growth.
Our hope is to help communities in Aotearoa build on their efforts and, like balloons, rise together to new heights.
WHO IS LiiFT FOR?
LiiFT is designed for people who carry responsibility in community organisations, including:
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Board members, trustees, Chairs, and governance committees.
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Chief Executives, managers, coordinators, and team leaders.
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Fundraising, finance, administration, and volunteer leads.
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Emerging leaders stepping into new roles.
Whether your organisation is newly established or long-standing, LiiFT supports capability building that is practical, relevant, and grounded in real-world community work.
TRUSTED ACROSS AOTEAROA
This map shows where organisations have engaged with LiiFT learning over the past year, based on registration data.
HOW LiiFT FITS WITHIN ANCAD’S SUPPORT
LiiFT Aotearoa sits alongside ANCAD’s wider support for community organisations.
While LiiFT focuses on building long-term capability through learning and reflection, ANCAD also provides practical services such as Community Accounting, consultancy, and tailored organisational support when hands-on or context-specific help is needed.
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Community Accounting: Free, practical financial support for community organisations.
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Consultancy and advisory support: Tailored governance and organisational support when challenges are complex or context-specific.
These services are available when organisations need additional support beyond training.
CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE LEARNING
LiiFT Aotearoa recognises that culture shapes how organisations lead, govern, make decisions, and serve their communities.
Rather than creating separate programmes, culturally responsive approaches are embedded across the LiiFT framework. This helps ensure learning is inclusive, relevant, and respectful for Māori, Pasifika, ethnic, and diverse community organisations.
LiiFT Aotearoa is designed and delivered in a way that acknowledges Te Tiriti o Waitangi as a founding document of Aotearoa New Zealand, embedding relational, inclusive, and community-centred approaches across learning.
We wish to thank our primary sponsor, The Tindall Foundation for their continued support of ANCAD’s Professional Development Programme for the benefit of communities.
