Grants Panel

Northland Community Foundation is a Local Donation Manager for The Tindall Foundation. We distribute around $80,000 per year to organisations throughout Northland, via our "Grassroots Fund".

Our Grants Panel meets once per year to determine where the funding will go.

The panel is made up of six volunteers from around the region, including a representative from the Northland Community Foundation board of Trustees.

Grants Panel Members and their Community Connections

Debbie Evans (Dargaville) Elected member Northland District Health Board Elected member, Northland COGS committee, CEO Kaipara Community Health Trust, Deputy chair Kaipara Care Inc. Member Rural Women New Zealand, Northland Housing Forum member, Chair Kaipara Creative New Zealand funding committee (KDC), Chartered member NZ Institute of Directors,  Muddy Waters art gallery member

Thalea Tane (Whangarei/Hokianga) (Te Roroa, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Whātua & Ngāti Whakaue) is Project Manager at Reconnecting Northland. Thalea has a finance background, social work certification (SWRB), qualifications in Bi-cultural Supervision, and is currently studying for a Master of Indigenous Studies at AUT.  Thalea divides her time between Hokianga and Whangarei. Thalea is a member of Permaculture Institute of New Zealand, co-tutors specialised workshops, and endeavours to weave in permaculture and the practices of her ancestors into her ‘home and work life’. Thalea is also very involved in strategic development work on her papakāinga and is currently involved in a National Māori Leadership Programme (Mana Kainga).

Terri Donaldson (Kaipara) owns an organic dairy farm in Maungaturoto. Over the years Terri has been involved in the arts, sports and in the community. Most recently a judge at the Kaipara Wearable Arts Awards, coach/manger of the Otamatea High School Girls Rugby Team and is the Chairperson of the Maungaturoto Residents and Ratepayers Association.

Season-Mary Downs (Whangarei) (Te Kapotai, Ngati Hine, Ngapuhi) Season-Mary was born and raised in Northland and is a Director of Tukau Law. Season-Mary has extensive experience advising and representing whanau, hapu, and iwi clients in Maori legal matters and Treaty of Waitangi claims processes. Season-Mary is an active member of Te Hunga Rōia Māori o Aotearoa (Māori Law Society).

Camron Muriwai (Whangarei) (Ngāpuhi,Ngāi Takoto,Ngāti Whātua) a respected colleague within the Te Tai Tokerau / Northern Region health sector for 20 years serving as the Takawaenga/Maori Health Liaison Officer at Te Poutokomanawa – Maori Health Directorate. Beyond his healthcare role, Camron also holds the position of Chairperson at the Bronchiectasis Foundation NZ, where he advocates tirelessly for respiratory health awareness and support. Camron is a Justice of the Peace, supports local community garden projects and serves in his ministry in the St Francis Xavier parish.