Bridging the gap in mental health & addiction care
The Spencer Maxwell Foundation is a registered charitable trust supporting individuals and communities across Aotearoa New Zealand.
We provide direct financial assistance to those who might otherwise miss out on vital assessment and care for mental health or addiction challenges, while also funding grassroots community services.
10.5%
of Kiwi adults experience an unmet need for mental health or addiction support every year.
NZ Health Survey 2025
Are you or your community service falling through the gaps?
We may be able to help.
Our mission is to ensure that vulnerable people can access early, meaningful assessment or support when they need it most - especially those who face financial barriers and cannot afford the cost of care themselves.
Our three pillars of support
1. Fast tracked access to primary care and Funding support for individuals
We offer targeted financial assistance for individuals across Aotearoa who fall through the gaps of the healthcare system because of costs.
This pathway explicitly serves people who do not meet the criteria for public health services, and cannot afford a GP visit or private assessment or care for an emerging mental health or addiction problem.
Limited funding means we prioritise those who have not been able to access help previously.
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We make direct payments for assessments (for healthcare such as a GP or NP appointments), specialist assessments and sometimes time-limited treatment by qualified/registered health care professionals working in the mental health and addiction sectors.
2. Extending community services
We provide funding assistance that aligns with the Foundation's goals, to established community organisations so they can sustain and strengthen vital day-to-day work in mental health and addiction sectors.
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To apply for funding for an individual, you must be a registered or certified healthcare professional working in the mental health or addiction sector
To apply for extending current services or new grassroots initiatives, it must meet or further the Foundation's mission and values
3. Launching grassroots initiatives
We support innovative, grassroots projects that address emerging mental health and addiction needs across all communities.
We place a deliberate focus on piloting projects designed for individuals and groups who face systemic barriers and find it hard to access help elsewhere.
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To apply for funding for an individual, you must be a registered or certified healthcare professional working in the mental health or addiction sector
To apply for extending current services or new grassroots initiatives, it must meet or further the Foundation's mission and values
Spencer, our benefactor, wanted the rainbow community to be prioritised with his gift. Rainbow communities (LGBTQIA+, Takatāpui, and MVPFAFF+) face higher rates of mental health and addiction challenges. To help address this, we dedicate approximately half of our total funding directly to supporting Rainbow groups.
Supporting
Our
Rainbow Communities
Honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi
As tauiwi allies, our Foundation is committed to honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi as a living foundation for equity and justice. We stand alongside tangata whenua to support community-led aspirations, preserve indigenous sovereignty, and ensure Toitū te Tiriti in everything we do. Together, we work toward a flourishing Aotearoa rooted in active partnership.
News
“Looking back, my life was defined by secrecy and isolation, leaving me to hide my true self behind a wall of my own making. I only wish there had been support available to help me navigate those struggles.”
— Spencer Maxwell