Media releases: 18 May 2020
Three Shoalhaven communities to each receive up to $175,000 in Start-Up Grants
Following a series of successful virtual workshops and interviews with key community stakeholders, the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) is inviting not-for-profit organisations (NFPs) in the Shoalhaven communities of Ulladulla, Batemans Bay and Nowra to apply for Investing in Rural Community Futures (IRCF) Start-Up Grants to help these local groups address the needs and priorities of the community.
As part of the IRCF program, FRRR and The Snow Foundation have partnered to work with community groups and local leaders to help boost the confidence, ability and skills of NFPs in the Shoalhaven Region.
To kick-start the program, each of the three communities will receive up to $175,000 in Start-Up Grants for local NFPs. These Start-Up Grants are flexible and designed to support organisations improve their capacity to deliver services. This support could include initiatives like investing in community leadership, skills and training, strengthening communications and networks, human resources, mentoring or even wages for operational planning.
FRRR’s IRCF Program Manager, Alli Mudford, says that it’s fantastic to be able to bring the IRCF program to the Shoalhaven Region and to have the opportunity to work with local groups to support them to become stronger, more resilient and ultimately thrive.
“We had a really great turnout at the online sessions we ran, and it was wonderful to see so many local leaders eager to get involved in finding ways to work together, to become stronger and much more effective, and ultimately to help create a stronger community,” said Ms Mudford.
“We know from our experience with program partner communities in other parts of NSW that communities have ideas – they just need the time, space and resources to come together and share ideas and collectively build solutions to problems.
“We’re looking forward to now working with Shoalhaven not-for-profits to expand on their ideas, scope projects and determine how Start-Up Grant funding can be best utilised, so it makes the greatest impact now, and into the medium to long-term.”
Individual organisations and collectives are invited to apply for a Start-Up Grant. Community groups are encouraged to collaborate and identify ways to work together to maximise the use of these funds.
Applications for Start-Up Grants close Friday, 29 May 2020. Grants will be awarded in August 2020.
