Working For Charities In Canterbury

​Since day one, Heat Pumps NOW has been all about supporting our community. Doing what we could to help improve people’s lives on a day-to-day basis. Now, we’ve just partnered with an amazing social enterprise organisation who is taking this idea one step further. 

We Love Supporting Charities

​How do you feel when you see someone collecting for charity on the street? Sometimes you don’t have any cash on you. Also, you might have a set budget for the things you need to get at the shops, and your money will only stretch so far. That’s totally understandable. So what if there was a way for you to donate to good causes while simply getting the everyday things you need?

“Our motto is that if we work together, we win together. And if we win together, the whole community profits,” says Mitch Shaw, one of the founders of UpstreamNZ.

“I’ve worked my whole life in the not-for-profit sector,” says Mitch. “One year I went to a local business in Christchurch and asked if they would be willing to donate to our cause. They said yes. The next year I went back to the same business, but they said things were a bit tough financially and they couldn’t make a donation this time.”

This dilemma got Mitch thinking.

A Different Funding Model

​“I asked that business owner, ‘If I helped you generate more sales and income, would you be more willing to support us ?’ Of course, he said yes. This is where James and I got the idea for UpstreamNZ.”

UpstreamNZ is helping to create a sustainable business model between businesses and charities around Canterbury. UpstreamNZ is a place where you can choose goods and services from approved Christchurch businesses who have a proven social conscience. You pay the same price you normally would for the things you need, and the businesses pay UpstreamNZ a small percentage for the success fee on a sale. Then, UpstreamNZ  gives away it’s profits to its approved good cause. Simple! 

“Instead of charities around Canterbury competing for the same amount of limited funding, they can be referring people to buy from an UpstreamNZ approved business,” says Mitch. “The more sales that are referred to that business, the more profits that are generated for good causes and the more our community wins.”

UpstreamNZ and Heat Pumps NOW

How did Heat Pumps NOW become an UpstreamNZ Approved Business? 

“We have six criteria that we weigh a  businesses against,” says Mitch. Are they Ethical? Do they act with Integrity? Are they Excellent at what they do? Are they Innovative? Do they Collaborate with others, and are they Generous?”

“James and I had already heard of what Heat Pumps NOW was doing around Christchurch. Their heart and passion for the community was plain to see. After sitting down with Blair and talking more about what goes on inside the business, it was clear Heat Pumps NOW was a perfect partner for UpstreamNZ.”

“This idea is a game changer,” says Blair Ashdowne, Director of Heat Pumps NOW. “There are so many excellent charities in Christchurch, but only so much money to go around. I’m already responsible for looking after my family, and helping everyone in the Heat Pumps NOW team take care of theirs. By partnering with UpstreamNZ, we get to support multiple charities with awesome causes, simply by being good at our day job! It’s a no-brainer.”

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If you would like to buy from socially responsible businesses around Canterbury, safe in the knowledge that you won’t be charged extra for the privilege of doing so, take a look at www.upstreamnz.co.nz and create a win-win moment for our community.

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