

2023 charity partners
This year, the 2023 Dunedin Craft Beer and Food Festival continued its tradition of encouraging giving back by supporting three deserving charities: StarJam, The Nest Collective, and Fringe. Patrons gave generously on exit with a handover amount to be confirmed in the next few days post-event.

The Nest Collective is a registered charity that works alongside social workers and other community partners to provide free packs of baby essentials for whānau in need.

StarJam is a nationwide charity that provides a unique place for young people aged 6 to 25 years with a range of disabilities to express themselves through music, dance and performance. These young people get physically and socially active in an environment where they feel safe, connect with their peers and develop socially and physically. One of the Jammers in our Dunedin Magic Movers Workshops said, “I feel safe here” and that what she loves most about StarJam is “feeling like I can fit in without having to pretend to be someone else”StarJam runs weekly workshops in music and performance. The Dunedin area has 4 full workshops with a capacity for 48 participants and a waiting list. StarJam also provides regular opportunities for participants (Jammers) to perform and showcase their talents before audiences in various community settings. As described by a parent of a Jammer in the Dunedin Rockin’ Rhythm workshop, “StarJam is a place where young people can be themselves and celebrate with peers their individual coolness.”

Dunedin Fringe Festival (14-24 March 2024) is an annual 11-day multidisciplinary arts festival that’s open to anyone who wants to participate — any form of creative expression, any level of experience, anything goes! Dunedin Fringe aims to bring new, innovative, experimental art to a wider audience and support emerging artists’ work. Our Fringe is produced by the Dunedin Fringe Arts Trust. The Trust’s annual programmes also include the Amped Music Project (a music mentorship programme for high-school-aged youth), the New Zealand Young Writers Festival, and the White Box Gallery in Fringe HQ (19 George St). We also manage the new performing arts venue Te Whare o Rukutia, and the Community Gallery (on behalf of the Dunedin City Council).
our 2022 charity partners
The chosen charities for the 2022 festival were Orokonui EcoSanctuary and the Otago Community Hospice, with punters generously donating on exit to benefit these two fantastic organisations.
Thanks to you, each charity has received a generous $18,000.
Orokonui Ecosanctuary is the flagship biodiversity project for the South Island where multiple species of plants and animals are protected from predators. A predator fence surrounds 307 hectares of Coastal Otago forest, pests have been removed, habitat enhanced with weed control and planting, and many rare and endangered species re-introduced.
Otago Community Hospice enables patients to live their lives as fully as possible. We work in partnership with our community, offering education, support, care and advice to family, whānau, carers and health and social service professionals, through a patient’s illness and following death.