Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR)
Initiatives funded in Nowra, Ulladulla, Bateman’s Bay and Bay & Basin
In partnership with The Snow Foundation and the Bendigo Bank Community Enterprise Foundation, FRRR has awarded $470,670 to community organisations across the South Coast of NSW. These grants are through the Investing in Rural Community Futures (IRCF) program, which builds and supports the capacity of local not-for-profit (NFP) organisations.
IRCF is a multi-year program that gives NFPs the resources and connections they need to support one another and to establish relationships that allow them to collaborate to fill in the existing gaps in their communities. The program operates in the South Coast communities of Nowra, Ulladulla, Bateman’s Bay and Bay & Basin.
Natalie Egleton, CEO of FRRR, said that the FRRR team has seen an increase in the level of interest in the IRCF program.
“One of the key elements of this program is the road mapping process where we bring local leaders together to identify gaps and, more importantly, future opportunities for their communities. This is quite unique to this program and so we have really noticed during this round, that the engagement in the road mapping process increased as everyone involved has now developed a greater understanding of how it works and how much it can benefit their local communities.
“We also noticed that community groups and NFPs are taking a much more collaborative approach to finding volunteers after volunteer engagement levels dropped off as a result of back-to-back disasters over the last couple of years. This is wonderful to see, as this program is designed specifically to encourage community organisations to work with one another and to find solutions within their own area and network,” Ms Egleton said.
Terry Snow, Founder of The Snow Foundation, which supports three regions within the IRCF program – Nowra, Bateman’s Bay and Ulladulla – said partnering with FRRR over the past three years has built stronger relationships within the South Coast communities.
“The South Coast is my home and given the challenges over the past few years, I have seen how bringing people together strengthens community. This is why the IRCF program is so good. It brings community groups together to work collaboratively and decide what they need and the best way to make it happen and each year relationships just get stronger,” Mr Snow said.
David Impey, CEO of Community Enterprise Foundation, the Bendigo and Adelaide Bank’s charitable arm, said they are proud of their partnership with FRRR and supporting the Bay & Basin communities.
“After what’s been an unimaginably difficult couple of years for these communities, it’s inspirational to see the community members coming together and working with one another as they once again begin to look towards building a more vibrant and resilient future. It’s this kind of dedication and willingness to support one another that will see the South Coast region thriving long into the future and that’s something that we take great pride in being part of,” Mr Impey said.
Some of the projects being funded are:
- Nowra Community Food Store Incorporated, Nowra – Planning for the Future – Define the direction of the organisation with a five-year strategic plan, operational business plan and HR framework – $13,000
- StoryFest Incorporated, Ulladulla/Shoalhaven – Fundraising for StoryFest school students – Enable the continued growth and success of StoryFest with a new website and marketing campaign – $10,000
- Rotary Club of Batemans Bay Inc, Batemans Bay/Eurobodalla – Establish and maintain the Batemans Bay Community Hub to provide information, resources and opportunities for local NFP organisations – $19,370
- Bay & Basin Community Resources Limited, Bay & Basin – Work, life and training Centre – Increase opportunities for youth to engage in training and employment with a project coordinator to establish a work, life and training centre – $30,000
In addition to the South Coast region, the IRCF South Coast program is also working in in Junee, Leeton and Nambucca Valley in partnership with the Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation.
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 is below.
Organisation | Project | Location | Grant | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BATEMANS BAY PARTNERSHIP GRANTS | ||||||
The Circle Foundation Cooperative Ltd | Building Capacity: Circle Foundation Cooperative Business Systems Development Build capacity by employing a project officer and IT enhancements to facilitate ongoing service delivery for people living with chronic illness. | Eurobodalla | $22,675 | |||
Eurobodalla Education and Therapy Services Ltd | Attract and Retain Allied Health Professionals Attract and retain specialised staff by formulating a well structured learning and development strategy for the organisation. | Batemans Bay | $20,000 | |||
The Family Place Inc | Scoping Housing Solutions - Community Creating a Better Future Stimulate innovative thinking focussed on housing solutions by engaging a project officer to develop and cost models to enable clients and broader community to sustain tenancy and support sector wide collaboration. | Moruya | $26,208 | |||
Rotary Club of Batemans Bay Inc | Batemans Bay Community Hub Establish and maintain the Batemans Bay Community Hub to provide information, resources and opportunities for local NFP organisations. | Batemans Bay | $19,370 | |||
SEARMS Community Housing Aboriginal Corporation | Living Library - Knowledge Circle Celebrating the cultural gift of language and the art of story telling in Aboriginal culture by adopting a holistic approach and sustained capabilities to community engagement. | Batemans Bay | $14,000 | |||
Southcoast Health and Sustainability Alliance | Batemans Bay Community Coordinator and Business Manager Strengthen governance and business systems internally, continue to connect with council and assist not for profit community organisations to reduce their on-going energy costs. | Batemans Bay Region | $20,000 | |||
BAY & BASIN PARTNERSHIP GRANTS | ||||||
Bay & Basin Community Resources Ltd | Work, Life and Training Centre Increase opportunities for youth to engage in training and employment with a project coordinator to establish a work, life and training centre. | Sanctuary Point | $30,000 | |||
Sussex Inlet Foundation for Community Development | Strengthening our Foundation Strengthen the volunteer committee of the Foundation for Community Development to help them grow the ways they can support and strengthen the Sussex Inlet Community. | Sussex Inlet | $19,500 | |||
Tomerong School of Arts | Policies and Procedures Project Enable the hall to operate more effectively with the development of policies and procedures. | Tomerong | $12,000 | |||
Vincentia High School P & C Association | Launch of Walawaani-ngarn Boost the profile and awareness of the community health hub with a launch event and marketing material. | Vincentia | $9,000 | |||
NOWRA PARTNERSHIP GRANTS | ||||||
Bomaderry Community Inc | Paying It Forward - Supporting Those People Who Sustain Our Community Support the volunteers to rejuvenate and focus on their passion | Bomaderry | $3,240 | |||
Cullunghutti Aboriginal Child and Family Centre Aboriginal Corporation | Maintaining Momentum - Cullunghutti Master Plan Boost capacity to engage project officer to operationalise the strategic plan previously funded. | Shoalhaven | $20,000 | |||
Kangaroo Valley Voice Incorporated | Kangaroo Valley Hub Enable development of a community hub with the collation of information and scoping of project. | Kangaroo Valley | $15,000 | |||
Noahs Ark Centre of Shoalhaven Inc | Knowledge, Strength and Resilience- Sharing for the Future Nurture opportunity to provide intergenerational peer mentoring of professionals in the disability service. | Nowra | $7,900 | |||
Nowra Community Food Store Incorporated | Planning for the Future Define the direction of the organisation with a 5 year strategic plan, operational business plan and HR framework. | South Nowra | $13,000 | |||
Nowra Local Aboriginal Land Council | Strong Foundations Establish organisational policies and procedures manual, branding and communications strategy and provide governance support to the board. | Bomaderry | $18,315 | |||
Pathways Foundation Limited | Pathways To Leadership Strengthen skills and abilities of youth mentors to deliver best practice programs locally. | Berry | $24,000 | |||
Shoalhaven Business Chamber Incorporated | Community Plus Enable the community sector to leverage the established business chamber to share knowledge, build capacity and resilience by strengthening the links between the corporate and community sector. | Shoalhaven | $20,000 | |||
Shoalhaven Community Pre School Inc | Administration and Operations Manager Support the final transition of the organisational growth and relocation of preschool. | Nowra | $30,000 | |||
The Shoalhaven Women's Resource Group Ltd | Capacity and Capability Building Prepare the organisation to achieve accreditation, develop branding and a more efficient and informative website. | Nowra | $10,000 | |||
ULLADULLA PARTNERSHIP GRANTS | ||||||
Independence Ulladulla Inc | Helping Hands Improve systems to support leadership to innovate and grow | Ulladulla | $19,000 | |||
Milton Ulladulla Business Chamber Inc | Community Connect - Information Creates Endless Possibilities Continuation of building connections within the community groups, assisting the the existing and new volunteers by capturing important information, to then share and create possibilities for the broader community. | Ulladulla | $20,830 | |||
Noahs Ark Centre of Shoalhaven Inc | Destination Ulladulla Part Two Implement communication plan and to disseminate our videos most effectively and will build on capacity in recruitment and communications into the future. | Ulladulla | $12,000 | |||
Safe Waters Community Care Inc | De-Escalation Training and Occupational Violence Prevention Training Empower staff and volunteers with the skills to de-escalate conflict and violence situations. | Ulladulla | $3,900 | |||
South Coast Bookclubs Inc | Saving and Expanding the Bookclub Support for a self-sustaining book club service in Ulladulla to create a sense of community for new and existing residents. | Ulladulla | $6,456 | |||
StoryFest Inc | StoryFest Inc - Fundraising for StoryFest Enable the continued growth and success of StoryFest with a new website and marketing campaign | Milton | $10,000 | |||
The Dunn & Lewis Youth Development Foundation Ltd | Community Spotlight Foster youth interest in community volunteering with a Youth Podcast Series. | Ulladulla | $10,795 | |||
Treading Lightly Inc | Regenerative Development Officer Role Build a Regenerative Design Model for the benefit of this and other NFP organisation as well as a wider range of stakeholders. | Ulladulla | $30,000 | |||
Ulladulla and Districts Community Resources Centre Inc | Building Sustainability Prepare the Raft Race Committee for the future with succession planning and marketing support. | Ulladulla | $3,481 |
And support from new IRCF Program Manager and facilitator
Seven not-for-profit organisations (NFPs) are sharing in $135,471 for projects that will strengthen the NFP sector and inter-organisational relationships in Nowra, helping the community to thrive and achieve long-term stability. Nowra NFPs will also have on-the-ground support from a new South Coast Program Manager and local facilitator.
Funded through FRRR’s Investing in Rural Community Futures (IRCF) program, in partnership with The Snow Foundation, these grants will allow Nowra NFPs to properly develop the tools, resources and skills they need to achieve longevity and create permanent change in their communities.
IRCF is a multi-year grassroots program aimed at building the capacity and connectedness of NFPs in select communities in regional New South Wales. As well as grants, these recipients will receive organisational support and coordination in the form of workshops that will help them to implement more effective systems, processes and training within their organisations.
Among the seven projects funded, there is a focus on developing leadership and business skills, technological transformation, cultural immersion and community engagement. These projects address needs highlighted through a community-led Roadmap, the development of which was facilitated by FRRR.
Natalie Egleton, CEO of FRRR, said that these initiatives will have a lasting impact on the people of Nowra.
“It’s fantastic to see the not-for-profit organisations in this round of grants collaborating and learning from their peers, and successfully applying that knowledge to the unique needs and circumstances of their own communities.
“It’s wonderful to see local organisations prioritising community engagement and creating safe cultural spaces. This includes the South Coast Women’s Health & Welfare Aboriginal Corporation, which is using their funding to deliver cultural immersion sessions to 30 Nowra NFP representatives in response to vision identified in the Nowra Community Roadmap,” Ms Egleton said.
Terry Snow, Founder of The Snow Foundation, said partnering with FRRR has allowed his Foundation to have a significant impact on regional NSW areas such as Nowra.
“Having a home and running a business on the South Coast, I understand how important it is to support these not-for-profit organisations. They provide crucial support and fill gaps that help to keep these communities vibrant and self-sufficient. With the resources provided by this program, these organisations will create real change.
“A great example of this is the Nowra Community Food Store, which is using their grant to set up an E-commerce website with an option for contactless delivery, so that families in the Shoalhaven region who don’t own a car can still access fresh food.”
The five other grant recipients in the Nowra region are:
- Cullunghutti Aboriginal Child and Family Centre Aboriginal Corporation, Nowra – Laying the Foundations for the Future of Cullunghutti Aboriginal Child and Family Centre Aboriginal Corporation – Support the Centre’s future vision and rapid growth by appointing a temporary Community Centre Team Leader to support the CEO in an operational capacity. $30,000
- Nowra Sub-Branch of the Returned and Services League of Australia New South Wales Branch, Nowra – Nowra RSL Sub-Branch Upgrade Project 2021 – Accelerate digital transformation and enhance client experience through upgrades to IT equipment and furniture. $16,469
- Shoalhaven Community Preschool Inc, Nowra – The Growth Strategy Project – Strengthen the leadership capacity of the Centre during the Preschool’s relocation and expansion by providing a wage subsidy, expert consultants and professional development. $22,000
- Shoalhaven Health and Arts Inc, Bomaderry – Capacity Building for SHAA’s Future – Strengthen the capacity of SHAA to respond to community demand for their mental health, arts and events programs by paying wages for the currently volunteer-based managers. $14,112
- South Coast Beef Producers Association Inc, Nowra – Governance Training for South Coast Beef Management Committee Members – Strengthen the governance and strategic vision of South Coast Beef through the training of the management committee in governance foundations. $10,590
New IRCF Program Manager – South Coast and Nowra facilitator
Helping Nowra’s NFPs to make the most of the IRCF program is IRCF South Coast’s recently appointed Program Manager, and South Coast local, Carolyn Ardler.
Carolyn comes to FRRR and the IRCF program with extensive experience in place-based delivery to support communities to build capacity and reach their aspirations from the grassroots.
“I am excited to be working on the IRCF program as I strongly believe rural and regional communities have the solutions and strength within them to face their unique challenges. This program allows small not for profits to build their capacity and be more sustainable in the long term.” Ms Ardler said.
Carolyn steps into her new position as Kate Dezarnaulds, FRRR’s previous Program Manager for IRCF South Coast, transitions into the role of IRCF facilitator for Nowra. In this role, Kate will be able to work more directly with Nowra NFPs to connect, build relationships and work together to improve their capacity and sustainability.
In addition to Nowra, the IRCF South Coast program is also working in Batemans Bay and Ulladulla with the support of The Snow Foundation, and in Bay & Basin with the support of Bendigo Bank Community Enterprise Foundation, and in Junee, Leeton and Nambucca Valley in partnership with the Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation.
For more information about the Investing in Rural Community Futures program visit – https://frrr.org.au/ircf-program/.
Local NFPs in Nowra area invited to have their say
FRRR is inviting not-for-profit organisations (NFPs) in the Nowra region to take part in an upcoming series of 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 on the South Coast through localised support, resources and funding, so they can make lasting impacts in the community.
Called “Community Roadmap” (CR) workshops, these sessions will allow NFPs in the Nowra 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 Nowra NFPs uncover shared goals and challenges, as well as offer a safe space for participants to reflect on and share the considerable challenges of the past year.
“These workshops are the next stage in the IRCF program. They are a great opportunity for local NFPs to come together and celebrate their resilience, as well as aid collaboration and sharing of resources,” Ms Dezarnaulds said.
“As a result of these Community Roadmap workshops, the Nowra 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 Nowra region, including those not currently funded through the IRCF program, to come along to the workshops and have their say,” Ms Dezarnaulds said.
FRRR also announced $83,000 in funding for three projects in Nowra as part of the program’s initial Start-Up Grants. These projects will help to support and connect the community to respond to the challenges of 2020. In total, nine projects have already been funded through the IRCF program, thanks to the generosity of The Snow Foundation.
Nowra Community Roadmap workshops
Community leaders are invited to come along to either the day or evening session.
When | Day session: Tuesday 1 June, 9.30am-3.30pm (lunch provided); or Evening session: Wednesday 2 June, 5-9pm (light meal provided) |
Where | Day session: Nowra School of Arts Evening session: Bomaderry Bowling Club |
How | Day session: Bookings via link Evening session: Bookings via link |
Nowra Start-Up Grant Recipients
- Pathways Foundation Ltd – Pathways Foundation – $30,000 – Accelerate the implementation of a new COVID-adapted and localised strategic plan with seed funding for the appointment of a community development officer.
- South Coast Women’s Health and Welfare Aboriginal Corporation (trading as Waminda) – Waminda’s Social Enterprise Initiatives – $23,000 – Strengthen the financial sustainability of Waminda while developing the skills and confidence of Aboriginal women to secure employment, through the implementation of a business plan for three social enterprises.
- Noah’s Inclusion Services – Enhancing the strength, effectiveness, and longevity of the Noah’s Inclusion Services workforce – $30,000 – Rejuvenate the pipeline of available allied health care workers and support succession planning for Noah’s leadership position s through a coaching program and a long-term student placement partnership with the University of Sydney.
See the funded Nowra projects already underway here.
For more information about the Investing in Rural Community Futures program in NSW South Coast region visit – https://frrr.org.au/funding/people-grants/investing-in-rural-community-futures-nsw-south-coast/.
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