Michael Heywood appointed Philanthropy and Partnerships Manager at Bone Marrow Cancer Trust
Michael Heywood joins the Bone Marrow Cancer Trust as Philanthropy and Partnerships Manager, bringing a career shaped by people, purpose and the belief that meaningful philanthropy is about more than money.
From a young age, Michael knew he wanted to support community wellbeing. That interest led him to study Sport and Recreation Management at Lincoln University, with ambitions to work in community development through sport.
After graduating, Michael began his career at Selwyn District Council in a short‑term events role that quickly became a full‑time position as a Community and Economic Development Advisor. Starting his career during the COVID‑19 pandemic, meant learning quickly. “It was a great opportunity to learn, I was working with a wide range of businesses and community groups and saw first‑hand the impact funding decisions can have,” Michael says.
Keen to deepen his understanding of how organisations operate, Michael completed a Master of Business Management at the University of Canterbury. During his studies, he worked at Cholmondeley Children’s Centre as a Child and Youth Care Practitioner. After finishing, he accepted an invitation to join the fundraising team – marking the start of his fundraising career. “I’d always planned to give the corporate world a crack. But during my time at Cholmondeley, I just fell in love with the work, and the not-for-profit sector.”
Michael later spent close to three years with New Zealand Red Cross, working across partnerships and community fundraising. The role gave him hands‑on experience working with corporate partners, trusts and foundations, and local community fundraisers, and helped shape how he thinks about good stewardship and long‑term relationships. “Fundraising matters, but philanthropy is bigger than money. It can be time, skills, sharing a message, or simply backing a cause you believe in.”
That thinking underpins Michael’s approach to philanthropy. “There are a lot of organisations doing really good work, and they deserve support. But meaningful philanthropy has to work both ways, it’s not just about asking, it’s about giving value in return.”
Michael’s connection to Rānui and the service it provides is also personal. While he was in high school, his mum was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. “When my mum went through cancer treatment, we were fortunate to be able to see her regularly, I can’t imagine what it would be like not being able to be near your family at a time like that.”
“I truly believe that the care and connection that Rānui House and Apartments offer is vital. To support this work feels like a privilege rather than a job.”
