Media releases: 1 November 2021
Nearly $700,000 in funding awarded to local community groups
Funding announced by FRRR today, is helping local community groups in Junee and Nambucca Valley to carry on their operations, despite multiple disruptions, by funding staff, developing efficient processes and boosting their capabilities through collaboration and technology.
Fourteen local not-for-profits (NFPs) are sharing $695,166 in grants, which will strengthen how their organisations function, and bolster the ways in which these groups can support their communities.
Funded by FRRR, in partnership with Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation (VFFF), Investing in Rural Community Futures (IRCF) is a five-year program designed to provide local NFPs with the tools and support they need to make lasting impacts in their areas of focus for the community. As part of the program, FRRR worked with the groups to create a tailored NFP sector roadmap, reflecting their shared goals. This funding and other ongoing support, including local facilitators on the ground, is helping bring these plans to life.
Nancy Sposato, FRRR Program Manager, said that the IRCF program, now in its third year, gives participating not-for-profits the opportunity to identify common issues and develop local strategies that will support their long-term sustainability.
“Through these grants, we have supported six organisations we’ve previously funded, alongside eight new organisations. This package really shows a deeper understanding and sophistication in how organisations are approaching capacity building,” Ms Sposato explained.
“At this point in the program, it is fantastic to see collaborations and sector alliances building within each community. A great example of this is support for Unkya Local Aboriginal Land Council in the Nambucca Valley, who will deepen First Nations NFP sector collaboration and support key leaders to develop a cultural-competency induction package.
“Local employment continues to be a key capacity building measure in supporting stability and sustainability, particularly considering COVID related disruptions. For example, Junee Business and Trades will be able to employ a part-time grants officer, which will make it easier for local NFPs to apply for funding to support local projects. These grants also respond to the need for technology system and small-scale infrastructure upgrades, further enhancing organisational efficiency.
“We look forward to continuing to work with Junee and Nambucca Valley NFPs, and continuing to support them as they implement their unique roadmaps,” Ms Sposato, said.
In addition to Junee and Nambucca Valley, the rural community of Leeton is taking part in the VFFF-funded IRCF program. FRRR has also partnered with The Snow Foundation to expand the program into the Shoalhaven communities of Batemans Bay, Nowra and Ulladulla. In June, FRRR partnered with Bendigo Bank’s charitable arm, Community Enterprise Foundation to further expand the IRCF program into the Bay and Basin region.
For more information about the Investing in Rural Community Futures program visit – https://frrr.org.au/ircf-program/.
The full list of grant recipients and their projects are below.
| Organisation | Project | Grant | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JUNEE | ||||
| Junee Business & Trades Incorporation | Appoint a Grants Officer Enable local Junee NFPs to access funding to support local projects through the employment of a part-time grants officer position. | $118,959 | ||
| Junee Community Centre Inc | Subsidy for Centre Manager Sustain the Junee Community Centre by subsidising the centre manager role to support organisational governance, partnerships, and strategy development. | $140,000 | ||
| Junee Community Power Inc | Junee Community Circular Fund (JCCF) Alleviate energy poverty by providing additional support to the Junee Circular Fund to facilitate completion of the installation of solar power to the Junee Senior Citizens Hall. | $47,508 | ||
| Junee Hostel for the Aged Inc | Modernise Aged Care for Junee | $49,706 | ||
| Regional Heritage Transport Assoc - Junee Inc | Moving the Junee Roundhouse Museum into the 21st Century Strengthen the capacity of the museum to operate more effectively with the installation of electronic software and appropriate hardware. | $25,724 | ||
| Riverina Working Equitation Incorporated | Illabo Showground Combined User Group Strategic Planning Enable the Illabo Showground's combined user group to develop a strategy for the future sustainability of the grounds. | $3,580 | ||
| NAMBUCCA VALLEY | ||||
| Bowraville Community Development Association Incorporated | Surveying the Bowraville NFP Community About the Future Use of the Pioneer Community Centre Strengthen the use of the Bowraville Pioneer Community Centre by surveying the Bowraville community organisations to determine future use. | $13,750 | ||
| MiiMi Aboriginal Corporation | Gumbaynggirr Receptionist | $54,470 | ||
| Mujaay Ganma Foundation Aboriginal Corporation | Yuraal Guunumba Ngurraay: Gumbaynggirr Native Foods Community Garden Project STAGE 2 Continue to foster community engagement, organisational capacity, and share cultural knowledge by engaging trainee coordinators and mentors to sustain the Mujaay Ganma's Yuraal Garden Project. | $31,173 | ||
| Nambucca Heads Mens Shed Inc | Exploring Energy Options Increase organisational capacity and save operational costs for community organisations by exploring the viability of using renewable energy to help sustain not-for-profit organisations in the Nambucca Valley. | $11,000 | ||
| Nambucca Valley Council | Local News Shared Strengthen the collaboration of the local community newsletter committees of the Nambucca Valley to build capability, share content and amplify the voice of young people across the Valley. | $43,292 | ||
| Nambucca Valley Phoenix Limited | Investing in Strategy - Building a Sustainable Social Enterprise Building a Sustainable Social Enterprise. Strengthen the capacity of the organisation to deliver on their new Strategy and aspiration to become a sustainable social enterprise by strengthening their brand and supporting staff. | $47,000 | ||
| ShoreTrack Ltd | ShoreTrack MOS (Management Operational System) Enable ShoreTrack Ltd to develop an internal operational management system to maximise the organisation’s capacity and operationalise their strategy. | $36,300 | ||
| Unkya Local Aboriginal Land Council | Jinda biin duguula (Sisters Together) To deepen First Nations NFP sector collaboration and to support key leaders to develop a cultural competency induction package. | $72,704 | ||
