Preliminary applications for the 2012 funding round are open now. Please complete the application form here and submit. Once preliminary applications have been processed we will invite qualifying applicants to complete a full application. Please refer to the Grants to Community page for our funding criteria information.
Distributions Committee
The Distributions Committee are responsible for assessing and approving all applications for funding that the Acorn Foundation receives. The committee is made up of people from a variety of backgrounds, areas of interest and expertise.
Jan Hickson is a fourth generation family member to live in Tauranga. She has been involved with many community projects, such as the Garden & Arts Festival, Tauranga Girls College 50th Reunion and TGC Alumni. She lives in Papamoa and has one beautiful daughter. Jan is delighted to be part of the Acorn Foundation, an energetic organisation giving back to our community. Jan is the Distributions Committee Chair.
Norah is a retired nursing sister who trained at the Leicester Royal Infirmary, England. She has been a Senior Social Worker for the Children and Young Persons' Court and the Tauranga Department of Social Welfare, and has served as Chair on several committees in that department. Norah has received a Queen's Service Medal for services to Women's Refuge, Ardnt House, Birthright and Parentline. Norah was also CEO of Avalon Training Centre in Te Puna for some years before retiring. She is a member and past President of the Rotary Club of Tauranga and a Trustee of The Elms Foundation. Norah is married with three grown children, and eight grandchildren.
Christine and her partner Doug live at Papamoa Beach. Their large 100 year old villa (shifted from 2nd Ave Tauranga) can accommodate their 8 now grown up family and grandchildren. Christine assists Doug in his building business in her secretarial capacity and as an interior designer. Together they help many people renovate and revive their homes.
Previously Christine worked for 6 years at the Historic Village as the Secretary for the Chief Executive. This valuable experience is now being put to good use for the Acorn Foundation.
Martin is married with 3 children and has a passion for the community, having worked in the Not-for-profit sector for more than 20 years. In recent years he has been in the Maori Health environment; 5 years as GM of Te Manu Toroa, and since February 2011, as the project leader for the Whanau Ora initiative with Nga Mataapuna Oranga. Martin says "The key reason I work in the Not-for-profit sector is to tackle social injustice and to make changes that benefit people. The Acorn Foundation supports organisations that benefit our community and impact families. This is they key reason I am on the distribution committee." Martin brings years of local knowledge, which adds value to the decisions being made.