Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR)
Workshops for community-based not-for-profits in Batemans Bay area
FRRR is inviting not-for-profit organisations (NFPs) in the Batemans Bay region to take part in an upcoming series of two workshops to plan how the Foundation’s Investing in Rural Community Futures (IRCF) program can support them to create stronger organisations for a stronger community.
FRRR’s IRCF program is run in partnership with The Snow Foundation. Now in its second year, the five-year program is designed to strengthen local NFPs in the Shoalhaven through localised support, resources and funding so they can make lasting impacts in the community.
Called “Community Roadmap” (CR) workshops, these two sessions will together develop the community roadmap allow NFPs in the Batemans Bay region to come together and map out how they will leverage the funding and support of the IRCF program over the next four years to maximise opportunities for long-term sustainability.
Kate Dezarnaulds, FRRR’s IRCF Program Coordinator, said that the workshops will look to the future, helping Batemans Bay NFPs uncover shared goals and challenges, as well as offering a safe space for participants to reflect on and share the considerable challenges of the past year.
“The NFP community is incredibly diverse in the Batemans Bay region and has done an amazing job in supporting and connecting their communities through the challenges of 2020. The workshops are a great opportunity for local NFPs to come together and celebrate their resilience, as well as support collaboration and sharing of resources,” Ms Dezarnaulds said.
“From the Community Roadmap workshops, the Batemans Bay NFP community will have a list of priority projects that the IRCF program can then support over the next four years with grants and expert advice.
“The Community Roadmap is likely to uncover shared goals and needs such as strategic planning, governance training, digital marketing, finance advice and support, and additional resources to support innovation, sustainability and recovery.
“We are working with expert local facilitators, Campfire Coop, and invite a wide range of representatives from local NFPs in the Batemans Bay region, including those not currently funded through the IRCF program, to come along to the workshops and have their say,” Ms Dezarnaulds said.
Batemans Bay Community Roadmap workshops
| Who | Community-based not-for-profit organisations in Batemans Bay, Nelligen, Mogo, Broulee, Moruya and surrounding villages. |
| When | Day session: Wednesday 5 May ,9.30am-3.30pm (lunch provided); or Evening session: Thursday 6 May, 5-9pm (light meal provided) |
| Where | Day session: Eurobodalla Botanic Gardens Evening session: Batemans Bay Marina Resort |
| How | Day session: Bookings via link Evening session: Bookings via link |
For more information about the Investing in Rural Community Futures program in Ulladulla, Bateman’s Bay and Nowra visit – https://frrr.org.au/funding/people-grants/ircf-shoalhaven/.
Workshops for NFPs in Ulladulla, Milton, Mollymook, Lake Tabourie, Termeil, Conjola, Lake Conjola, Manyana and Bendalong villages area
FRRR is inviting not-for-profit organisations (NFPs) in the Ulladulla region to take part in upcoming workshops to plan how the Foundation’s Investing in Rural Community Futures (IRCF) program can support them to create stronger organisations for a stronger community.
FRRR’s IRCF program is run in partnership with The Snow Foundation. Now in its second year, the five-year program is designed to strengthen local NFPs in the Shoalhaven through localised support, resources and funding so they can make lasting impacts in the community.
Called “Community Roadmap” (CR) workshops, these sessions will be the first in a series of workshops to develop the community roadmap and allow NFPs in the Ulladulla region to come together and map out how they will leverage the funding and support of the IRCF program over the next four years to maximise opportunities for long-term sustainability.
Kate Dezarnaulds, FRRR’s IRCF Program Coordinator, said that the workshops will look to the future, helping Ulladulla NFPs uncover shared goals and challenges, as well as offering a safe space for participants to reflect on and share the considerable challenges of the past year.
“The NFP community is incredibly diverse in the Ulladulla region and has done an amazing job in supporting and connecting their communities through the challenges of 2020. The workshops are a great opportunity for local NFPs to come together and celebrate their resilience, as well as support collaboration and sharing of resources,” Ms Dezarnaulds said.
“From the Community Roadmap workshops, the Ulladulla NFP community will have a list of priority projects that the IRCF program can then support over the next four years with grants and expert advice.
“The Community Roadmap is likely to uncover shared goals and needs such as strategic planning, governance training, digital marketing, finance advice and support, and additional resources to support innovation, sustainability and recovery.
“We are working with expert local facilitators, Campfire Coop, and invite a wide range of representatives from local NFPs in the Ulladulla region, including those not currently funded through the IRCF program, to come along to the workshops and have their say,” Ms Dezarnaulds said.
Ulladulla Community Roadmap workshops
| Who | Community-based not-for-profit organisations in Ulladulla, Milton, Mollymook, Lake Tabourie, Termeil, Conjola, Lake Conjola, Manyana and Bendalong villages |
| When | Session 1: Wednesday 17 March 9.30am-3.30pm (lunch provided); or Session 2: Thursday 18 March 6pm-9pm (light meal provided) |
| Where | Session 1: The Dunn Lewis Centre, 141 Vincent St, Ulladulla Session 2: The Grand Prix Lounge at Willinga Park, 132 Forster Drive, Bawley Point |
| How | To sign up for the workshop visit RSVP via the following links: Session 1: http://stks.be/ulladullacommunityroadmapworkshop-1daytimesession Session 2: http://stks.be/ulladullacommunityroadmapworkshop1evening |
For more information about the Investing in Rural Community Futures program in Ulladulla, Bateman’s Bay and Nowra visit – https://frrr.org.au/funding/people-grants/ircf-shoalhaven/.
Plus FRRR-supported coaching program gets underway
FRRR, in partnership with the Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation (VFFF), has awarded $276,963 in grants to four of Leeton’s not-for-profit organisations (NFPs). The funding will help these local groups build and strengthen the ways in which they are able to support the community.
The grants are part of FRRR’s Investing in Rural Community Futures (IRCF) program – a five-year program to strengthen Leeton’s NFPs and support them to make lasting impacts in their areas of focus for the community.
As part of the program, FRRR works with the groups to roadmap their aspirations, and provides funding to help bring these plans to life.
Alli Mudford, IRCF Program Manager, said that the IRCF program, now in its second year, is helping Leeton NFPs become stronger.
“Leeton’s NFPs have been working hard to identify common issues and develop strategies that will support their long-term sustainability,” Ms Mudford said.
“These latest grants will help these local groups with much-needed resources to employ locally skilled people to support growth, organisational efficiencies and take the pressure off their amazing volunteers.
“For Western Riverina Arts, this means helping the six museums in the region to better serve the community by employing a Development Officer. Leeton Multicultural Group will also get some much-needed funding and be able to employ an Operations Manager to help support the rapid regional migration to the area. Both these projects are driven by a desire for long-term solutions, so with this in mind, the funding will be granted over three years.
“The Rotary Club of Leeton is addressing volunteer fatigue by coming up with new ways to encourage and diversify the number of local volunteers. While Leeton Community Op Shop is working to ensure their #oneleeton and #ngumbaayleeton projects are both sustainable and safety-compliant by using their grant to invest in new equipment.
“We look forward to continuing to work with Leeton NFPs, supporting them as they implement their community roadmap,” Ms Mudford explained.
Tailored NFP coaching program kicks off
As part of the IRCF program, FRRR and SEFA Partnerships have teamed up to pilot a tailored coaching program for the Leeton NFPs. The sessions will coach three groups to build skills in their local leadership teams and work on areas including effective communication, strategic planning and governance.
Leeton Arts Society, Leeton Community Op Shop and the Rotary Club of Leeton are the first three groups to be selected to participate, which begins in February.
The coaching program combines group workshops, followed by a series of tailored one on one coaching sessions with local FRRR IRCF Facilitator Claire Williams and Hannah Miller from SEFA Partnerships.
“We are pleased to be able to offer this support after such a trying 2020 and if successful we hope to expand the coaching support to others,” Ms Mudford said.
In addition to Leeton, the rural communities of Junee and Nambucca Valley are 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.
Ongoing Partnership Grants
|
Organisation |
Project |
Grant |
|---|---|---|
| Leeton Community Care Development Inc | #oneleeton #ngumbaayleeton Increase organisational capacity by enabling the upgrade and purchase of vital equipment to ensure compliance and sustainability of #oneleeton operations. |
$31,963 |
| Leeton Multicultural Group Inc | Organisation of the Leeton Multicultural Group Enable locally-led solutions to regional migration by building organisational strength in the Leeton Multicultural Group through the recruitment of an Operations Manager. |
$150,000* |
| Rotary Club of Leeton | Step-Up Leeton: Building Capacity from the Ground Up Respond to volunteer fatigue by building a diverse volunteer bank for the Leeton community through providing new pathways for partnerships and learning. |
$35,000 |
| Western Riverina Arts Inc | Leeton Museum Development Officer Increase the capacity of six Museums in the Leeton region by funding the employment of a Museum Development Officer to provide pathways to sustainability. |
$60,000* |
COVID-19 has impacted rural communities in countless ways, with increased vulnerability and disadvantage being felt in many communities grappling with successive setbacks, including drought, bushfire and existing disadvantages exacerbated by imposed restrictions.
This means FRRR’s work is more important than ever, as Australia emerges from and transitions into new ways of working, living and delivering services.
While FRRR staff are still working from home, they are connecting daily with communities across the country. Below are some of the insights from the calls, queries and requests they are receiving day to day.
There have been high levels of caller concern around the mental health of their communities, given COVID follows several natural disaster events. NSW/ACT Program Manager Jacki Dimond says that there are also increased personal stress levels around not being able to deliver on approved grant activities and / or timelines. She has been spending much of her time considering more project variations than usual.
“Callers have reflected much relief for the support of our flexibility and desire to support them through the variations process to identify alternative activities or delivery mechanisms, such as the Gunning Arts Festival going online, or extending or deferring acquittal periods where needed, ” Jacki noted.
Vivienne McCrory, Grants Officer for Victoria, SA and Tasmania, echoes Jacki’s comments noting that bushfire affected communities are asking if programs will be assessed the same way due to COVID-19.
“They are still applying, but not sure if the project will still go ahead as planned due to restrictions and whether it would affect their grant chances. They have mentioned exhaustion and frustration over the flow of events since Christmas (on top of the drought).”
Another common theme is while some groups have the option to take activities online, inconsistent telecommunications access and mixed levels of digital literacy means it’s not a realistic option for some groups.
“For example, I received a phone call recently from the Yinnar Memorial Hall over 60’s Exercise group. We have funded the program for two years and up to 40 people were coming each week. They are now delivering the program via zoom and many elderly members are having issues connecting. The internet is also poor in the area!,” explained Hannah Jakab, who works on FRRR’s disaster recovery programs.
VIC/SA/TAS Program Manager Carlene Egan is seeing increased requests to fund local people to take on recovery coordination roles.
“Bushfire affected communities are taking charge of their own recovery with known and trusted people and ensuring funds are directed to where they identify as most needed.”
From a drought support perspective, Deanne Cavalier is seeing reduced volunteer capacity due to COVID-19.
“Conversations with community groups have identified a decrease in volunteering at this time due to the pandemic, as their focus turns towards their families and concerns of job security and general fatigue. Volunteers are often older and health and safety concerns relating to COVID-19 this naturally has had flow-on effects on the capacity of community groups to maintain continuity of services and their ability to maintain momentum on community-focused projects.”
While it’s no longer on the front pages, drought is still a very real issue in large parts of the country as this map of Queensland shows, and this story from WA.
“Despite the wetter start to 2020, the long-term accumulated rainfall deficiencies continue in many parts of Australia and with these continued deficiencies over an extended period, drought continues to be prevalent across much of rural Australia and recovery will be a slow process,” explains Deanne.
Meanwhile, Alli Mudford, Program Manager for the Investing in Rural Community Futures (IRCF) program says that it highlights the importance of building capacity, not just funding ‘things’.
“Building good relationships within each community is a critical foundation for success. The benefits from regular facilitated connections (rather than just providing grants) must not be underestimated and the IRCF evaluation has processes in place to incorporate these learnings.
“We are also seeing that capacity change in the not-for-profit sector crosses generations. Insights show that the younger generation are more than willing to work with and across other not-for-profit groups in the community.”
Rural communities are eternal optimists and innovators and despite the challenges, community groups have been able to adapt their models to keep a source of income, such as offering delivery services, making hand sanitiser or face masks. We are inspired by the growing success of community-led solutions – especially the renewal of local media ownership, which is a reversal of media closure trends.
Investing in the long-term future of rural NSW communities
The Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) has awarded $1,047,716 in grants to support 37 projects led by not-for-profit organisations (NFPs) across six rural communities in New South Wales, through the Investing in Rural Community Futures (IRCF) program.
The more than $1 million in grants is funded through FRRR’s partnerships with the Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation (VFFF) and The Snow Foundation, which are both committed in helping develop communities in rural and regional NSW.
IRCF is a place-based program that provides local NFPs and community sector organisations with practical support and funding so they can be stronger, more resilient, and fulfill their purpose with greater impact. The program encourages collaboration and community-led solutions that will seed the long-term self-sufficiency of these organisations.
In partnership with the Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation, FRRR launched the IRCF program in the regional NSW communities of Junee, Leeton and Nambucca Valley. Now in their second year of the five-year program, these communities are sharing a further $557,698 in Ongoing Partnership Grants.
Alli Mudford, IRCF Program Manager, said that these grants mark the start of the second phase of the IRCF program.
“The first phase was about bringing community-based organisations together to explore common needs and identify areas where they could collaborate, as well as identify what support they required as individual organisations. The kind of issues that emerged included the need for staff, organisational training and skills development, and investment in community and organisational infrastructure.
“This second phase of the program is about helping the organisations take action on these common areas of need with the support of these grants.
“For example, in Nambucca Valley, a key challenge is broad community engagement. We are supporting Nambucca Valley Youth Services and Mujaay Ganma Foundation to develop projects to help them engage more deeply with locals, particularly the young people of Nambucca Valley, by providing training and mentoring opportunities.
“In Junee and Leeton, for example, Junee Rhythm and Rail, Junee Senior Citizens and Leeton Show Society will use their funding to purchase equipment and refurbish community infrastructure that is used by a number of local not-for-profits,” said Ms Mudford.
Some of the other projects funded through these IRCF Ongoing Partnership Grants include:
- Junee Community Power received $15,000 to alleviate energy poverty for the community by installing solar power to the Junee Senior Citizens Hall. This will be the start a bigger initiative for Junee not-for-profits and community power.
- Leeton Connect received $90,000 to support Leeton not-for-profits by employing a coordinator to deliver training and development.
- Jaanymili Bawrungga in Nambucca Valley received $30,290 to develop a strategic plan to assist with operational objectives and create cultural economic sustainability with the support of a consultant.
A full list of IRCF Ongoing Partnership Grants recipients and their projects are below.
FRRR staff will continue to walk alongside these three communities, working with them to implement their community roadmap. Nambucca Valley has seen a strong demand for funding with the first tranche allocated to projects that will be managed in line with the region’s overall allocation for the life of the program. Further grants will be awarded in Leeton and Junee later in the year.
Program now rolling out on South Coast
In April 2020, FRRR and The Snow Foundation partnered with the commitment to increase their ongoing support of South Coast communities and to expand the IRCF program into Bateman’s Bay, Nowra and Ulladulla. As part of the program launch, these communities are sharing in $490,018 in Start-Up Grants.
Kate Dezarnaulds, IRCF Coordinator for Shoalhaven, said last summer’s bushfires and now COVID-19 have had a direct impact on the energy, capability, and resources of these largely volunteer-run NFPs.
“These Start-Up Grants will provide a range of dynamic grassroots organisations with funding for projects that will strengthen them and increase their capacity to support the recovery and renewal of their communities, which have been so clearly impacted by these disasters.
“For example, community organisations such as Shoalhaven Health & Arts and Milton Ulladulla Business Chamber are looking at ways to better connect with their community through improved digital infrastructure.
“Other groups, like Shoalhaven Community Preschool, Ulladulla and Districts Community Resources Centre, and the Southcoast Health and Sustainability Alliance, are using their grants to improve governance and provide tailored training and mentoring opportunities for staff and volunteers. These are the kind of projects that struggle to find funding outside of the Investing in Rural Community Futures program, but they make a real difference to the viability and resilience of the not-for-profit sector in the region,” said Ms Dezarnaulds.
Some of the other projects funded through these IRCF Start-Up Grants include:
- The Family Place in the Batemans Bay area received $40,785 to develop a 5-year strategic plan that supports the urgent need to adapt to Telehealth to continue to provide services during COVID-19.
- The Shoalhaven Women’s Resource Group in Nowra received $18,810 to work with a consultant to develop a new fundraising strategy that focuses on the launch of a social enterprise to provide a first employment opportunity for the women they support who are exiting prison.
- Treading Lightly in Ulladulla received $25,000 to establish a Community Hub to host their regular program of small-scale community building meetings, workshops and activities for the regions affiliated NFP’s – these workshops and meetings often have an environmental sustainability and youth outreach focus.
A full list of IRCF Start-Up Grants recipients and their projects are below.
Over the coming six months FRRR staff and facilitators on the ground will work closely with the three communities on the South Coast, supporting them to put their Start-Up Grants projects into action.
All 37 IRCF grantees will have until December 2021 to implement their projects.
Jump to IRCF Ongoing Partnership Grants: JUNEE | LEETON | NAMBUCCA VALLEY
Jump to IRCF Start-Up Grants: NOWRA | ULLADULLA | BATEMANS BAY
Shoalhaven not-for-profit organisations (NFPs) will now have on-the-ground support following the appointment of a Coordinator to help guide the Investing in Rural Community Futures (IRCF) program as it rolls out across the Region.
IRCF is a place-based program, designed to address the needs and priorities of each community, particularly the unique challenges faced in the rebuild and recovery phase following the 2019/20 bushfires. As part of the program, FRRR and The Snow Foundation have partnered to work with Shoalhaven community groups and local leaders to help boost the confidence, ability and skills of NFPs in Ulladulla, Batemans Bay and Nowra.
FRRR’s IRCF Program Manager, Alli Mudford, says that the organisation knows from experience how important it is to have someone local on the ground to coordinate the program and to support organisations in the Shoalhaven Region as they turn their ideas into sustainable solutions.
“One thing that we heard loud and clear from the Shoalhaven Region during the online sessions we ran earlier this month was how appreciative they were of having access to hands-on support for their not-for-profits and communities,” said Ms Mudford. “That’s why we are delighted to have Kate Dezarnaulds joining the team as Shoalhaven’s dedicated IRCF Coordinator.”
Kate has extensive experience working with community groups, NFPs, cultural organisations and social ventures to help them increase their perceived value and economic sustainability, with a key focus on business development, sponsorship and fundraising strategies. She has held roles as Board Director, committee member and is a regular volunteer for a range of cultural and community NFPs. Kate is currently in the process of relocating back to the Shoalhaven, where she is excited to immerse herself in the community and connect with community groups and leaders.
Ms Mudford says that FRRR staff and Ms Dezarnaulds will work closely with local organisations in Ulladulla, Batemans Bay and Nowra to support them along their IRCF journey.
“Kate’s practical experience with local not-for-profit groups means she is keen to listen, learn, adapt and respond to the needs of the Shoalhaven Region’s community organisations and help to keep them strong and vibrant. Her ability to foster relationships and build partnerships in the community sector are valuable skills that Kate will bring to her role as Coordinator.”
“Each community has its own challenges, unique personalities and the depth and breadth of not-for-profits that work within its boundaries. FRRR’s role in the IRCF journey is to act as facilitators and supporters, to enhance the ability of local leaders to deliver the change they wish to see,” said Ms Mudford.
“It is absolutely a privilege to be working with the local leaders we’ve met in the Shoalhaven, and both Kate and I can’t wait to see what the future holds and how local groups turn their ideas into reality.”
For more information please contact Shoalhaven’s IRCF Coordinator, Kate Dezarnaulds, on 0418 588 537 or k.dezarnaulds@frrr.org.au.
Leeton not-for-profits (NFPs) will now have a set of helping hands to assist in the development, implementation and evaluation of projects suggested as part of the Investing in Rural Community Futures (IRCF) program, with the appointment of a Leeton community facilitator.
Leeton was chosen as one of three New South Wales communities to participate in the IRCF program, which was set up through a partnership between the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) and the Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation.
FRRR’s IRCF Program Manager, Alli Mudford, says that the organisation knows from experience how important it is to have someone on the ground to support organisations in their own community and help turn their ideas into sustainable solutions.
“One thing that we heard loud and clear from the Leeton community was how important facilitated discussions are and how important it is to have support to help bring groups and leaders together to talk through community needs and priorities,” said Ms Mudford.
“That’s why we are delighted to have Claire Williams joining the team as Leeton’s facilitator to support the community with the program.”
Ms Williams lives on a cropping farm between Lockhart and Narrandera and is passionate about regional development. Claire has spent several years working in both agriculture and communication, a background she believes will be beneficial when advocating for new opportunities in rural and regional communities like Leeton.
Both FRRR and VFFF have been inspired by the ideas that community representatives have put forward. Local organisations have identified that organisational development, governance, skills development and revenue sustainability are priorities for the Leeton community.
These suggestions have now been incorporated into a local Leeton roadmap for the IRCF program. These priorities were refined during workshops that were held online, due to COVID-19. But there is still the opportunity for other suggestions to be included if organisations didn’t get to have their say or their priorities aren’t reflected in the roadmap. Groups in this situation are encouraged to get in touch with the new facilitator, Claire Williams.
Local organisations and collectives in Leeton are now invited to apply for grants for projects that are reflected in this community roadmap. Ms Mudford says that FRRR staff and the newly appointed facilitator will work closely with local organisations to support them to apply for these, and future grants as part of Leeton’s IRCF journey.
“Each community we’re working with is very different, with its own challenges, unique personalities and the depth and breadth of not-for-profits that work within its boundaries. FRRR’s role in the IRCF journey is to act as facilitators and supporters, to enhance the ability of local leaders to deliver the change they wish to see.
“It is absolutely a privilege to be working with the local leaders we’ve met in Leeton, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds and how they turn these ideas into reality.”
Applications for IRCF Ongoing Partnership Grants based on the Leeton community roadmap are now open and close at 5pm AEST, Friday 12 June 2020. Grants will be awarded in August 2020.
To apply for an Ongoing Partnership Grant contact IRCF Program Manager Alli Mudford on 0448 992 820, or Leeton’s IRCF facilitator Claire Williams on 0429 092 165 or email ircfleeton@gmail.com.
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.
Junee not-for-profits (NFPs) will now have a set of helping hands to assist in the development, implementation and evaluation of projects suggested as part of the Investing in Rural Community Futures (IRCF) program, with the appointment of a local facilitator.
Junee was chosen as one of three New South Wales communities to participate in the IRCF program, which was set up through a partnership between the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) and the Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation (VFFF).
FRRR’s IRCF Program Manager, Alli Mudford, says that the organisation knows from experience how important it is to have someone local on the ground to support organisations in their own community and help turn these ideas into sustainable solutions.
“One thing that we heard loud and clear from the Junee community was how important it is to have local people playing an integral part in this program,” said Ms Mudford. “That’s why we are delighted to have Cahli Wall joining the team as Junee’s community facilitator.”
Cahli Wall lives in Junee and is passionate about creating educational opportunities and an inclusive environment for the region’s youth, disadvantaged and other vulnerable community members. Cahli believes the new IRCF program will provide Junee community groups with the important resources and support they need to thrive.
Both FRRR and VFFF have been inspired by the ideas that community representatives have put forward. Local organisations have identified that organisational development, governance, skills development and revenue sustainability are priorities for the Junee community.
These suggestions have now been incorporated into a roadmap for the IRCF program moving forward. Individual organisations and collectives in Junee are now invited to apply for grants for projects that are reflected in this community roadmap.
Ms Mudford says that FRRR staff and the newly appointed local facilitator will work closely with local organisations to support them to apply for these, and future grants as part of the Junee’s IRCF journey.
“Each community we’re working with is very different, with its own challenges, unique personalities and the depth and breadth of not-for-profits that work within its boundaries. FRRR’s role in the IRCF journey is to act as facilitators and supporters, to enhance the ability of local leaders to deliver the change they wish to see.
“It is absolutely a privilege to be working with the local leaders we’ve met in Junee, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds and how they turn these ideas into reality.”
Applications for IRCF Ongoing Partnership Grants based on the Junee community roadmap are now open and close at 5pm, Friday 12 June 2020. Grants will be awarded in August 2020.
To apply for an Ongoing Partnership Grant contact IRCF Program Manager Alli Mudford on 0448 992 820, or Junee’s IRCF facilitator Cahli Wall on 0434 934 626 or email ircfjunee@gmail.com.
The Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) and The Snow Foundation have announced a $2.5 million, multi-year partnership that will help boost the confidence, ability and skills of not-for-profit organisations (NFPs) in Batemans Bay, Nowra and Ulladulla.
This partnership has been formed to support a placed-based program – Investing in Rural Community Futures (IRCF). This program was first launched in 2018, with FRRR and the Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation partnering with local organisations in Leeton, Junee and Nambucca Valley across a five-year period.
Now, with the support of The Snow Foundation, FRRR can build on the momentum of this important program to support organisations across the Shoalhaven region to keep going, and ultimately, thrive.
The IRCF Shoalhaven program will see FRRR work with local NFPs over a five-year period to determine how they can best help themselves, so they can effectively focus on what they set out to do to help their community.
To kick-start the program, each community will receive up to $175,000 in Start-Up Grants for NFPs in Batemans Bay, Nowra and Ulladulla. FRRR will work with local groups to determine how this funding can be best utilised so it makes the greatest impact now, and into the medium to long-term. These Start-Up Grants are flexible and designed to support organisations in their capacity to deliver services. This support could include costs like investing in community leadership, skills and training, strengthening communications and networks, human resources, mentoring or even wages for operational planning.
FRRR’s CEO, Natalie Egleton, says the team at The Snow Foundation share FRRR’s belief that local leaders are best placed to know what is going to make the biggest difference in their community.
“The drought, bushfires and now COVID-19 have highlighted the important role that not-for-profit groups play across the Shoalhaven region. They are embedded in the community, so they know what is needed. However, many groups are struggling to know how to sustain themselves so they can continue this important work. Through the IRCF program, we will work with local leaders so they can more effectively focus on what they set out to do and help meet both the current and emerging needs of their communities.
“The answers will come from within the community. FRRR’s role will be to act as facilitators and supporters, to enhance the ability of local leaders to deliver the change they wish to see. The ultimate aim of the IRCF program is to break the cycle of a reliance on short-term funding and invest in the long-term viability of core not-for-profit groups.”
The Snow Foundation’s Founder and Chair, Terry Snow AM, says that he expects NFPs in the Shoalhaven region to respond enthusiastically to the IRCF program.
“The great thing about this program is that it’s far more than just being about giving out grants. They are important, of course, but the heart of this program is about bringing community groups together, sharing insights, pooling resources and finding ways to work together, to become stronger and much more effective, and ultimately to help create a stronger community. This is critical, as we have so much to do to rebuild following the devastating bushfires and now the challenges of COVID-19.”
FRRR’s IRCF Program Manager, Alli Mudford, says that it’s fantastic to be able to bring this program to the Shoalhaven area, which is focused on securing the long-term future of community groups.
“This program will see us work with these communities over a sustained period of time, so the not-for-profit groups become stronger, more resilient and are able to fulfill their missions with greater impact.
“We know from our experience with our partner communities in 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.
“FRRR recognises the importance of having a local coordinator on the ground to implement the program. We are currently working to employ someone locally who can bring their deep local knowledge and existing contacts to this project. This project coordinator’s role will be to provide community level support to enhance the delivery of the supported projects, to add value to other locally driven initiatives, and to strengthen cross-sector and cross-community collaboration.”
The first step of the IRCF program is to bring local leaders together. This would normally be done face to face, but given the current situation, it will be online, with separate online meetings for each community, from 4 to 6 May. Details of these workshops are:
- Ulladulla: 4 May – 10am-12pm
- Batemans Bay: 5 May – 10am-12pm
- Nowra: 6 May – 10am-12pm
Participants can register for a session by visiting FRRR’s website.
Once the initial workshops have happened, local organisations will be able to apply for the Start-Up Grants. Individual, locally governed NFPs are eligible to apply, although collaborative applications are encouraged, as FRRR has found that organisations often have similar needs. Applications for Start-Up Grants will close Friday, 29 May 2020.
