Providing targeted support in Colac, Maryborough and Swan Hill

Work in the three Victorian communities partnering with FRRR on the Investing in Rural Community Futures (IRCF) Victoria program – Colac, Maryborough and Swan Hill – will soon be getting underway.

Designed to build the capacity of not-for-profit (NFP) organisations and strengthen the community sector, FRRR’s IRCF program starts by bringing together local community groups.

At the one-day workshops in each area, representatives from local NFPs will work together to identify their strengths, their shared vision for their community and agree priorities to make the groups stronger and more sustainable. The output of each session will be a roadmap, which will guide future grants, workshops and planning processes. The roadmap will become a living resource that will evolve throughout the five-year program.

The program’s ultimate aim is to enable the local NFP sector to work collectively, so it can more effectively advocate on shared issues, contribute to a thriving community and achieve long-term impact.

IRCF Victoria Program Manager, Jo Kemp, said the roadmap process will draw out local knowledge and insights, which are critical to lay the foundations for the future.

“Local leaders, staff and volunteers are best placed to identify and share what will make a meaningful difference in their community. That’s why we want to see as many groups represented as possible come along and help answer the question “What can we achieve together in Colac, Maryborough and Swan Hill?,” Ms Kemp said.

“Each workshop will consider the question through the lenses of the four key capacity building pillars of FRRR’s IRCF program – strategy, people, systems and efficiencies.

“We know that building a network, sharing ideas and tackling challenges together will reveal so many opportunities for learning and growth as a community. I’m really excited to be co-facilitating the workshops and getting a deeper understanding of how our program can best support our Victorian partner communities.

“So, it would be great to see as many people as possible from a variety of local groups and organisations come along. You will be helping to ensure the IRCF program best meets the local priorities of the community and shape a shared vision for the future,” she said.

The three Community Roadmap Workshops will be held from 12 – 15 May. Those wishing to attend can register online.

Who should attend?

Staff, committee members and volunteers from NFP organisations and community groups in each place, as well as other interested stakeholders such as local Council, business chamber and First Nations organisations. Representatives from smaller nearby towns are also encouraged to attend.

FRRR’s IRCF program is made possible in Victoria through the generous support of four philanthropic organisations – Helen Macpherson Smith Trust, Jack Brockhoff Foundation, The Ross Trust and William Buckland Foundation.

Learn more about FRRR’s IRCF program.

Swan Hill, Maryborough and Colac not-for-profits to benefit

FRRR today announced that three regional Victorian communities have been selected as partners in a $5M not-for-profit (NFP) sector capacity building program.  

Swan Hill, Maryborough and Colac were chosen after a comprehensive community consultation process and will soon begin a five-year program to strengthen local grassroots NFP groups to respond to local community needs with greater impact, supported by a locally based facilitator and funding. 

FRRR’s Investing in Rural Community Futures (IRCF) program is coming to Victoria for the first time thanks to a collaborative partnership involving four Victorian philanthropic organisations – Helen Macpherson Smith Trust, Jack Brockhoff Foundation, The Ross Trust and William Buckland Foundation. 

FRRR CEO, Natalie Egleton congratulated the selected communities and thanked the partner organisations for their commitment to the program in the regions. 

“We’re thrilled to be starting this journey with these communities, knowing the immense impact that targeted yet flexible support can have in strengthening the capability and resilience of NFPs and the vital services they provide,” Ms Egleton said. 

Given the increasing pressures that rural communities are facing, the program will enable local NFPs to better collaborate and empower them to improve the sustainability, vibrancy, and liveability of their communities, ultimately enabling them to thrive, not just survive. 

“Having been delivered successfully in eight NSW communities, FRRR knows the program will lead to higher-functioning NFP sectors in these communities that are ready to advocate for themselves into the future.  

“This community-led approach has demonstrated such wonderful long-term impacts in other IRCF regions and we are excited and confident that Swan Hill, Maryborough and Colac will embrace the opportunities this program offers,” Ms Egleton said. 

Louise Kuramoto, Executive Officer of the Jack Brockhoff Foundation spoke on behalf of the collaborating funders of IRCF about the belief they have in the program. 

“This is an exciting opportunity for these communities and we are delighted to be part of the initiative. We believe the program will help build more effective and capable organisations that contribute to a vibrant NFP sector and look forward to engaging with these communities in the coming years and seeing the outcomes of the hard work that’s ahead,” Ms Kuramoto said. 

A range of demographic, environmental and NFP sector indicators were considered during the selection process to identify communities ready to gain the greatest impact through the program. Five shortlisted communities were invited to information sessions, submit an expression of interest, and join local workshops as part of the process.  

Ms Egleton said the chance to leverage FRRR’s experience of delivering the program in NSW and continue learning alongside these Victorian communities was a real privilege.  

“We’ll also work with two communities not progressing into the program to resource some local activity aligned to their unique priorities.”  

Learn more about FRRR’s IRCF program at www.frrr.org.au/IRCF. 

Local NFP leaders invited to join online sessions

FRRR, is currently seeking three Victorian communities to partner with in a five-year, place-based program that will strengthen the capacity of local not-for-profit organisations (NFPs) and community groups to undertake vital work in their communities.

Called Investing in Rural Community Futures (IRCF), the program offers flexible and tailored support to strengthen local organisations to more effectively advocate on shared issues, contribute to a thriving community, and achieve long-term impact across key priority areas.

As part of the exploration and selection process, information sessions are being held in five rural VIC communities – Hamilton, Portland, Colac, Swan Hill and Maryborough – to explain the program, what’s involved in partnering with FRRR as a community and how the process will work. Details will be provided about the next steps for communities keen to express their interest in being involved over the coming years. After an EOI process and in-community workshops in the New Year, three communities will be chosen.

The program includes the combination of a locally-based Community Facilitator, community-led and informed grants, participatory planning processes, skill-building workshops to support individual and community capacity, local networking across the sector and encourages collaboration on shared objectives.

Access to this support will be free, thanks to FRRR’s partnership with four philanthropic organisations – Helen Macpherson Smith Trust, Jack Brockhoff Foundation, The Ross Trust, and William Buckland Foundation. Each community will receive a total investment of around $600,000 in grants, as well as capacity building workshops and support.

Jo Kemp, IRCF VIC Program Manager, said that IRCF recognises the crucial work of local NFPs and community groups.

“The program and activities we undertake are based on the principle that if individual organisations can strengthen their own capacity and sustainability, then collectively the NFP sector will be more effective in contributing to a thriving community.

“’I’ve been fortunate to meet with NFPs recently in towns across Victoria. I’m always inspired by their passion to make a difference in their community and their willingness to share local insights and aspirations. Their resilience and positivity truly shines through.

“But I’ve also heard about ongoing challenges their communities face and I know NFPs are often under-resourced to tackle these. Further, volunteers are integral to their work, and many are experiencing fatigue. This is where the IRCF program can provide tangible help through resources and capacity support when the time is right.

“Ultimately, we are looking to partner with communities who are ready to embrace this kind of approach with FRRR. We look forward to sharing with NFPs in each community details about how the program could add value to their work.”

FRRR has successfully delivered the IRCF program alongside eight NSW communities, starting with Junee, Leeton, and Nambucca Valley, and then on the South Coast region including Nowra, Ulladulla, Batemans Bay, Bay and Basin, and Bega Valley. Learn more about the outcomes as these communities conclude their five-year partnerships.

For more information about the IRCF program visit, www.frrr.org.au/IRCF-Victoria.