My experience as a trustee could probably be best described as “keeping it real”. My fellow trustees have a considerable amount of knowledge about the struggles many Northlanders have due to remoteness and lack of financial resources. The need is great, and so the focus is on raising funds, which increases the amount on investment, and grows the annual interest distribution. We meet every two months and each trustee brings a different skill set to the table, from all over the Northland region, in order to meet our objectives. Combined with fantastic operational staff, the NCF funds continue to grow, providing more financial support to northlanders every year.Through my role as trustee I learned of NCF’s administration of the Northland Grassroots Fund, a fund distributed to community initiatives annually by a panel of volunteers. When additional panel members were sought, I jumped at the chance to learn more about Northland’s communities need. Again, my fellow panel members are immersed in the health of their communities, and are driven to improve them. Reaching agreement on funding one cause over another is difficult when the need is so much greater than the budget, but I love seeing their passion for what they do. On the flip side, it is extremely confronting to see so many worthwhile community causes require additional funding simply to continue to deliver their fantastic work. The panel noticed a considerable increase in last year’s number of applications, likely due to the Covid pinch, and hope that the fund will receive donations over the coming year to increase this year’s allocation amount.Seeing the need through the Grassroots applications and the panel members on the front line led me to arrange my own financial contributions to Northlanders in need, via NCF. I have recently made a gift in my Will to the Far North Betterment Fund, and have also signed up to NCF’s payroll giving Future 50 fund. This assists in the delivery of NCF’s continued operation, which I see as key to the future success of our people. History has shown that Northland cannot solely rely on the Government to fund protection of its environment and the health of its people, but I believe that we, as a generous community, can, through Community Foundation models.Article written by Nicola Hartwell (Trustee of the Northland Community Foundation and Northland Grassroots Fund Panel Member)Picture: 2020 Northland Grassroots Fund Panel, Nicola Hartwell second from the left.For the full article click here: Media Release 220221For more information about the Northland Grassroots Fund click here: How to Apply - Northland Foundation (northlandcommunityfoundation.org.nz)To donate to the Northland Grassroots Fund click here: Make a Donation Today - Northland Foundation (northlandcommunityfoundation.org.nz)For enquiries, please contact:Greta Buchanangreta@northlandcommunityfoundation.org.nzGeneral Manager 021 558 224
