Welcome to Fundacion Tierra! A Nicaraguan non profit organization
“Earth Fund” was created in 2007 thanks to the interest shown by a number of individuals and developments, including El Encanto del Sur, GrupoMax, and NicarAGUA , that wanted to promote the socio-economic development of the outlying communities of San Juan. There are more than 30 subsistence communities within 20 miles, ranging from under 50 people to more than 300, that have basic un-met needs in the areas of water purification, education, health, and sanitation among many others. Our team is composed of a group of dedicated and passionate people who provide support in our areas of focus. While we have an Executive Director providing oversight, key to our success is the help of many volunteers who participate in the construction and realization of these projects as well as donors and other key organizations with whom we collaborate with closely.
Who is Fundacion Tierra?
Board of Directors:
Fred Goldfarb is co-founder of El Encanto del Sur, an eco-development outside of San Juan del Sur. It was his commitment to help the local communities and his passion that pushed the EARTH Fund forward, relentlessly, to become the viable organization that can make a difference in the outlying San Juan area.
Will Pattison is the founder and co-owner of GrupoMax, S.A., an engineering and construction management company that has overseen many construction projects in the San Juan area. His management skills, fiscal responsibility, and passion on "giving back" to the region he calls home are essential for the success of our organization.
Maria Aburto is co-owner of GrupoMax, S.A. Maria is a generous, compassionate individual with a deep love for her country and it’s people. Combine that with her excellent problem-solving skills, and we are incredibly fortunate to have her on our Board. Her instincts are always correct, whether it is in designing micro enterprise options for women of a community or monitoring inventory to ensure its accuracy. She is a natural leader and her charisma, with both the people of the communities as well as with employees, provides The EARTH Fund with a dedicated, committed member of our team.
Kristin Fedorak is co-founder of NicaCan (use NicaCan or NicarAgua or something else? add link) a Canadian foundation. Kristin has been working in Nicaragua with her non-profit organization for several years focused on bringing clean water, latrines, and "eco-stoves" to many rural communities. For many years, she has been leading volunteer trips down with University students interested in helping. Because of the synergies between NicaCan and Fundacion Tierra, Kristin is a natural fit and valuable resource.
Executive Director
Leading the EARTH Fund is Antonia Mendoza. She is responsible and accountable for overall operations. She reports to the Board of Directors who quarterly review progress on our mission. But, she remains autonomous from the Board when it comes to control on a day by day basis. Antonia started with EARTH Fund in 2008. She is the Executive Director of our small but growing organization. Her entire life has been spent in the service of others. She started her career teaching school in Nicaragua. Soon she realized her passion was working with people and helping those where government help didn’t reach. She subsequently worked for the organization, CARE, followed by working for another non-profit dedicated to bringing clean water to small communities. We are fortunate to have her now lead our small but growing organization. She works closely with Adan Hernandez, who works on many field and technical issues. He is an employee of NicaCan but they work together closely.
Consultant
Emily Goldfarb, a consultant from San Francisco, has proven to be invaluable. Her insights into organizational development, long term focus, planning, people development and more make her an exceptional outside observer and help our young organization to grow and realize our goals in the most logical manner. She has spent a lifetime, both as an Executive Director for a non-profit that specialized in immigration rights and coalition building – and for the last ten years has had her own consulting practice working nationally with non-profits. She has part time presence in San Juan but communicates frequently via phone or email