Glenn Family Foundation - My family foundation is a non-profit driven organisation

“ To give hope where there is despair; To teach the hungry to feed themselves; To educate those that wish to learn;"
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GFF IN AUSTRALIA

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Owned by a charitable trust and opened in 2002, the Millennium Institute of Sport & Health is a NZ$35m high performance sports training and community sports and health facility founded by two of New Zealand's leading philanthropists Graeme Avery and Stephen Tindall. Located on Auckland's North Shore, the Institute was based on the concept of the Australian Institute of Sport, with facilities for training, coaching, sports science and medicine and on-site accommodation, but it receives no government funding.

The announcement of a significant (funding package/donation) from philanthropist businessman Owen Glenn on behalf of his Glenn Family Foundation has been described as a critical boost to the efforts of the Millennium Institute of Sport & Health to ensure New Zealand’s high performance sportspeople have the necessary facilities to keep pace with the rest of the world.

The Sir Howard Morrison Vocal Scholarship was developed following discussions by Owen Glenn and Dame Malvina Major at the funeral of Sir Howard Morrison in late September (2009).

Jane Macky was 18 years old when accepted to Yale College for the Fall of 2005. She is one of the top female sailors in New Zealand. She was one of 1,900 applicants admitted out of the total applicant pool of 19,000 to reach her goal after an introduction through sailing and University friends. The GFF is pleased to see Jane striving for these new heights following the support they have provided.

In May 2009 I graduated from Yale with a degree in Philosophy and Psychology and lead the Yale Women's Team to victory in the US College Sailing Championships by winning my division for the second year in succession. I was named USA Women's College Sailor of the year in recognition of my sailing achievements. To add to this amazing time of success and fun my parents were able to make it to both my graduation and to my big sailing finale in College.

Wednesday June 11 is not a day that will be easily forgotten for Owen Glenn, a moment one usually only dreams of having in any lifetime. Just before lunch time he was appointed to the Order of New Zealand Merit for his services to business and the community. He received the medal personally from Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace with support from good friends Malcolm & Julie Bush and business colleague Charles Brennan.

When Auckland became the adoptive home for Owen Glenn and his family after leaving war torn India in the early 1950’s it was not in anyone’s wildest dreams that he would return nearly 60 years later to open the newly built “Owen G Glenn” Building – the new home for the Business School, as part of The University of Auckland.

Owen G. Glenn plainly believes in the importance of education. Even more plainly, he believes in the mission of The University of Auckland Business School. And he backed up that belief with a NZ$7.5 million donation, announced in February 2005 to an audience which included Prime Minister Helen Clark. It is believed to be the largest private-sector donation made to New Zealand education.

UNIVERSITY OF AUCKLAND

In 2003, GFF donated NZ$500,000.00 towards the establishment of a Chair in Marine Science at The University of Auckland’s Leigh Marine Laboratory –“I made my living from the ocean so it was nice to be able to support this particular initiative” Mr. Glenn said.

The University of Auckland Business School officially unveiled a large portrait Owen Glenn in December 2009 in recognition of his selfless donation toward the construction of the School and in turn toward the betterment of education in New Zealand as a whole.

An entrepreneur who never attended The University of Auckland has made what is believed to be the largest-ever private donation to New Zealand education.

The value of partnerships was highlighted at this year's Chancellor's Dinner, the first to be hosted by Roger France in his new role as the University's Chancellor.

I recall making a presentation as we sailed out to watch the race about our plans to develop the University of Auckland Business School. A few years later I flew over to Sydney with Bill Thurston to meet with Owen to show him the iconic and world-class building the University was constructing for the Business School. On a trip to Auckland shortly thereafter, Owen agreed to make a NZ$7.5 million donation towards the School’s plans.

SIR HOWARD MORRISON

Further funds were donated from the GFF in 2005 to support the Manaakitanga Trust's performing arts group as they traveled to Samoa with Sir Howard to perform at the Miss Teuila Festival, and to the school community of Apia.

The ‘To Sir With Love’ concert/television tribute to Sir Howard Morrison was held on the 6 December 2008. The Glenn Family Foundation provided significant assistance to the tune of $70,000.00 to support entertainment industry icons that travelled from near and far to perform at the ‘To Sir With Love’ concert that was held in Rotorua – the home of Sir Howard Morrison.

The Aotearoa Māori Business Leaders Awards dinner held at The University of Auckland Business School on November 18 lived up to its growing reputation as New Zealand’s premier event of the year to celebrate Māori achievement.

It was through the friendship between Sir Howard Morrison and Owen Glenn that opened doors for GFF to assist Sir Howard with charities close to his heart, in particular the Manaakitanga Aotearoa Trust (MAT). This Trust was established in 2002 to provide tertiary training for those interested in training and employment opportunities emanating from a strong Maori cultural foundation of haka. It is a registered and accredited provider of the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA).

Owen Glenn was presented with a traditional Maori cloak by Sir Howard Morrison in Rotorua, on 23 January, 2006. The clock was hand woven by Donna Waiariki.

The Viaduct Harbour in Auckland came alive when the Glenn Family Foundation Kiwi Cup, a part of the IDFS Disabled Sailing World Championships 2009 kicked off. A total of 27 sailors from 5 nations competed in January for the title in their single person keelboats and it was all made possible with the generous $30,000.00 donation from the Glenn Family Foundation. The Louis Vuitton Pacific Series was also on at the time, which made for a great scene, given yachts such as the Emerates Team New Zealand and Alinghi were their neighbours.

The New Zealand Equestrian Showing Team is made up of horses and riders that won or placed runner-up at the New Zealand Horse of the Year Show. The Kiwis took on all states of Australia at the 'Equestrian Australia Show Horse & Rider Championships' held at the Werribee National Equestrian Centre near Melbourne in December 2009.

In honour of Sir Howard Morrison and the strong friendship Owen shared with him, the Glenn Family Foundation are currently in negotiation with the Morrison family to construct a memorial hall in Sir Howard’s name to house all his memorabilia. It is envisaged that the hall will be able to accommodate kapa haka practices for competition preparation, a room to accommodate students learning and viewing of dad’s DVDs, film reels, a reception area and a small space to purchase Dad’s merchandise an open plan office area and ablutions.

On the morning of Tuesday the 29th September 2009, a powerful earthquake measuring 8.3 in magnitude struck in the South Pacific. It began 20 miles below the ocean floor and was followed 20 minutes later by an aftershock of magnitude 5.6. This brought about the onslaught of a Tsunami that struck the southwest part of Upolu, American Samoa and Tonga, with waves measuring some 15 feet in height and 120 feet in length, completely destroying everything in its path.

In a bid to raise funds for the search for a cure for breast cancer, Owen Glenn, through his foundation, donated a day aboard his luxurious yacht, the 112 foot Motor Yacht Ubiquitous as an auction item at the breast cancer fundraising ball in Auckland. The connection to the event lies with Owen’s good friend and cousin of Sir Howard Morrison – Temuera Morrison (Once Were Warriors) – who came aboard Ubiquitous with Charlotte Dawson for a photo shoot for his movie. Owen attended the ball (held at the Hilton) and the bidding was furious – the winning bid passed the hammer at $30,000.00.

Owen Glenn was approached by a fundraiser representative for Team New Zealand with respect to the prospect of raising funds for the Team NZ crew. The team needed a new spinnaker for their yacht, which costs approximately $80,000.00.

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