What We Offer

  • Gatherings: Curated, in-person events for peer connection.
  • Community: A tribe of like-minded donors and philanthropists.
  • Resources: Tools for strategic, effective giving.

What We Don't Do

  • Solicit: We never ask for donations.
  • Promote: No bias toward any specific charity.
  • Share: No data shared without consent.

Donor-led and charity-neutral—a safe haven to learn together.

A Shared Table for Global Impact

A New Paradigm for International Giving.

Giving to international development is one of the most rewarding journeys a person can take, but it can also be a lonely one. Strategic donors are often the most isolated.

The Strategic Donors Network exists to change that. We provide a "seat at the table" for honest, off-the-record conversations about making a meaningful global difference.

Margaret & David Allis

Margaret & David Allis

Founders & Coordinators

Our Story

Margaret and David Allis have spent over 40 years working on projects that drive meaningful change in communities worldwide. Their journey began in the 1980s when they moved into one of the poorest suburbs in New Zealand to work with at risk youth, and continued in the 1990s when they lived in and worked alongside impoverished communities in Kolkata, India. Driven by a deep commitment to justice and global impact, they began founding the Strategic Donors Network in 2025 to create a space where Kiwis can connect, share insights, and collaborate to make smarter, more impactful contributions to global change.

Together they were one of the pioneers of the "Profit for Good" model in New Zealand. By restructuring their family business, Barcodes NZ, to be 100% charity-owned, they live out the principles of reducing personal income and channeling surplus profits into global development.

David and Margaret run Better World Initiative (est. 1997) and David is also a trustee of the Community Transformation Trust. Through these charities and their barcode businesses, they support poverty relief initiatives worldwide. While David focuses on strategy and impact assessment, Margaret ensures the work remains rooted in community and relationships. Together they manage projects that prioritize long-term sustainability over short-term aid.

Our Commitment to Independence

While we are proudly supported by a network of over 27 NZ charities, we do not promote any single organization. Our loyalty is to the donor and the impact, ensuring you have a safe, non-commercial space.

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