Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR)

FRRR awards grants to more than 80 community groups and NFPs

More than 80 community groups across remote, rural and regional Australia are sharing $827,253 in grants thanks to FRRR’s flagship grants program, Strengthening Rural Communities (SRC).

SRC grant recipient, Australian Dental Foundation

The funding will be used by grassroots not-for-profit organisations (NFPs) for a wide range of initiatives that celebrate, strengthen and support their rural communities to be more vibrant, resilient, sustainable places to live.

Nearly $560,000 has been awarded through SRC’s Small & Vital (S&V) stream and will support 67 projects that create inclusive and accessible community spaces, provide mentoring and training and learning opportunities, improve employment prospects, or offer people the chance to connect and engage with others and their wider community.

The Prepare & Recover (P&R) stream of the program has awarded nearly $270,000 to 17 initiatives that build community resilience, preparedness and capacity to mitigate the impact of future extreme weather events, as well as support medium to long-term recovery in regions impacted by previous disasters, such as the 2022 floods and the Black Summer bushfires.

Jill Karena, Head of Granting at FRRR, said the SRC team is continually inspired by the strength and resilience of the NFPs dedicated to helping remote, rural and regional communities thrive.

“What makes rural communities amazing are the people that live there. These places are filled with locals working hard to keep community spirit alive and willing to step up to see their region navigate the highs and lows that come with living in the country. We see our role as walking beside them and empowering local groups to lead the projects they know will have a real impact.

“Small grants really do make a big difference and FRRR’s SRC program is so popular because it offers flexible small grants year-round to remote, rural and regional communities in all states and territories.

“Take for example the Forest Heritage Centre in Dwellingup, WA. With a Small & Vital grant of less than $1,500, the Centre will modernise the local gallery and gift shop’s point of sale system. This isn’t much funding but by updating their system, the Centre can look after the volunteers that help to keep the doors open, as well as encourage people to visit and spend money in the region.

“We’re also funding activities that bring people and resources back into country towns, helping these communities stay vibrant and sustainable. Places like Goulburn, NSW, where a $4,000 Small & Vital grant will help to upgrade infrastructure and host community workshops on environmental sustainability at the Goulburn Farmers Market.

“After supporting communities impacted by disasters for the past 25 years, we also know just how important flexible recovery and preparedness funding is, because communities’ needs change over time. By using a medium to long-term recovery lens, we’re able to support projects that strengthen the social fabric of a community through preparedness, capacity and resilience-building activities.

“Although it’s been five years since the 2019/2020 bushfires, the Eurobodalla community in NSW is still healing. Our Prepare & Recover grants allow us to continue supporting places like Eurobodalla, when other funders have moved on. This round, we’ve granted $10,000 to help the Shire Council run a 10-week cultural and personal development program to help connect socially isolated First Nations young people within the region.

“Our grants are often just one part of the bigger picture in terms of getting projects off the ground. But we know that this funding is often a crucial catalyst, encouraging further investment in local solutions. For example, the 84 projects we’ve supported in this round of SRC, are worth over $2.67 million.

“Demand for funding continues to grow, as the cost of living and operational expenses rise, government priorities shift, and the impacts of climate change and disasters evolve.

“To meet this demand, FRRR needs the support of the philanthropic and corporate sectors. A collaborative effort is needed to empower rural communities to lead a vibrant and sustainable future,” Ms Karena said.

The SRC program is collaboratively supported by donors, ranging from private individuals to larger foundations, who are acknowledged on the FRRR website.

If you would like to help, you can donate at www.frrr.org.au/donate.

FRRR always accepts applications to this program, which awards funds around four times a year. Local not-for-profit organisations and community groups are encouraged to review the program guidelines and apply. More information about the SRC program is available at www.frrr.org.au/src.

The full list of grant recipients and their projects are below.

OrganisationProjectLocationGrant
SRC Round 23 - March 2025#colspan##colspan##colspan#
NEW SOUTH WALES#colspan##colspan##colspan#
Small & Vital#colspan##colspan##colspan#
3rd Space Mob Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander CorporationBaryulgil Cultural Garden Project
Re-invigorate connection to culture through young people growing and learning about bush tucker and bush medicine.
Baryulgil$6,539
Cobargo Quaama Business Recovery Group IncorporatedBusiness Catch-Up Evenings
Build business alliances that increase social connection in Cobargo by establishing a regular business catch-up event.
Cobargo$3,870
Condobolin and District Landcare Management CommitteeRemote Rural First Aid Awareness in Condobolin
Increase community safety in a remote area through first response First Aid and CPR training for locals.
Condobolin$9,450
Corowa and District S.H.E. Shed IncCultivating Connections and Forging Friendships
Build membership of a SHE Shed by increasing the range of tools and creating usable outdoor space.
Corowa$6,748
Country Womens Association of NSWUpgrading Our Hall
Boost community access and use of the hall by installing lighting, painting and undertaking repairs.
Woodstock$6,250
Dalaigur Pre-school and Children's Services Aboriginal CorporationGrowing Spaces
Provide sensory developmental resources to boost social and emotional wellbeing of vulnerable children.
Kempsey$7,590
Grow the Future LimitedGrowing Youth, Growing Sustainability
Improve employment outcomes for young people through a vocational training and mentoring program.
Bega$9,984
International Volunteers for Peace IncGoulburn Farmers Market - Core Infrastructure and Targeted Workshops
Encourage local sustainable food production through upgrading market infrastructure and community workshops on environmental sustainability.
Goulburn$4,000
Let's Dance Carinda Tribute Committee IncorporatedKeep Dancing in Carinda, the Yearly David Bowie Music Event
Engage community and visitors in an event to commemorate the local filming of an iconic music video.
Carinda$10,000
Mainly Music (Australia) LimitedMoree East Public School Mainly Music Program
Build school readiness for vulnerable children through weekly interactive music sessions.
Moree$7,585
Mungindi Machinery Display Reserve Land ManagerA Helping Hand for Mungindi's History Park
Increase tourism in a very remote community through improving promotional materials and storage in the park.
Mungindi$9,186
Nambucca Riverwatch IncorporatedCitizen Science Volunteering Skills Project
Build volunteer skills and participation in environmental monitoring of the Nambucca River.
Bowraville$9,393
Outback Arts IncorporatedHello, Coonamble!
Foster community and cultural connection through developing 20 local’s personal stories into community performances.
Coonamble$6,150
Relationships Australia Canberra and Region IncorporatedGardening & Healthy Living - Youth Mental Health Initiative
Deliver food education and gardening workshops for young people and a “bush tucker” garden developed with local Indigenous services.
Narooma$8,000
Trangie Local Aboriginal Land Council Bellies and New Life Project
An art project to connect pregnant women to community, combined with maternal health check-ups.
Trangie$10,000
Warren Health Action Committee IncorporatedCalara House Riverside Grill & Chill BBQ
Establish an outdoor area, garden and BBQ at an aged care facility to encourage social interaction.
Warren$9,298
Prepare & Recover - General Disaster Preparedness & Recovery#colspan##colspan##colspan#
Connecting Communities Australia LtdYacaaba Head Restoration Stabilisation Project + Fire Breaks in Pindimar
In consultation with local First Nations Rangers and volunteers, develop native plantings, fire breaks and trails to improve the stability and resilience of the Yacaaba Spit landscape and mitigate future bushfire impact.
Hawks Nest$23,400
The Elands Community Health & First Aid Centre IncorporatedDeveloping Essential Services for Elands & Surrounds Community Safer Place
Ensure the Elands Community Health Centre’s continuing designation as a Community Safer Place by increasing water and power security to support vulnerable locals during disaster events.
Elands$20,580
Prepare & Recover - 2022 Flood Recovery#colspan##colspan##colspan#
North Coast Radio IncorporatedIncrease Transmission Power Enhancing Capacity, Capability and Long-term Viability
Increase capacity, reach and long-term viability of a vital emergency communication service by completing the transmission upgrade with the purchase and installation of an antenna system.
Lismore$10,500
NSW Women in DairyNSW Women in Dairy Bale Up Conference
Connect, support and empower flood-impacted women with workshops, training and events on health, goal setting, communication and dairy technical knowledge.
Kingscliff$10,000
Rainbow Region Community Farms IncorporatedFuture Proofing Water Infrastructure at the Lismore Community Garden
Replace water tanks lost in the 2022 floods to ensure water security for the Lismore Community Garden that provides fresh food for those in need and a space for social connection.
Lismore$25,000
Prepare & Recover - 2019/2020 Bushfire Recovery#colspan##colspan##colspan#
Burragate Rural Fire ServiceFlooring for the Burragate Fire Shed
Increase community use and comfort of the Fire Shed by upgrading floor coverings.
Burragate$9,000
Eurobodalla Shire CouncilOur Generation - Fit to Flourish
Connect socially isolated First Nations young people with a ten-week cultural and personal development program.
Moruya$10,000
How Art Bemboka Community Hub IncBemboka Winter Solstice Women's Dinner
Reduce isolation for women impacted by the 2019/20 bushfires through an annual social dinner.
Bemboka$2,541
Marlee Rural Fire BrigadeMarlee Brigade Improvements
Increase volunteer capacity and experience by purchasing a battery starter pack and a car fridge.
Marlee$2,249
Native Animal Education Sanctuary LimitedPotoroo Palace Resilience and Preparedness Program
Build and support ongoing wildfire conservation operations and disaster preparedness for bushfire impacted Bega Valley with a community education and volunteer program providing opportunities for NDIS participants, students and job seekers.
Bega Valley$25,000
NORTHERN TERRITORY#colspan##colspan##colspan#
Small & Vital#colspan##colspan##colspan#
Hermannsburg Potters Aboriginal CorporationHermannsburg Potters Urgent Infrastructure Upgrade
Support the social and economic wellbeing of a very remote community by upgrading the local art centre’s septic system, allowing a facility that is a cornerstone of the local economy and community life to reopen.
Hermannsburg$35,000
Yandamah Indigenous CorporationNgurra Kurlu: Warlpiri Digital Culture Project
Strengthen and preserve Warlpiri culture by recording Elders knowledge and stories in digital content that is accessible, engaging and connects with the next generation.
Lajamanu$10,000
Prepare & Recover - Ex Tropical Cyclone Ellie & Associated Flooding#colspan##colspan##colspan#
Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association (Aboriginal Corporation)Strong Signals: First Nations Emergency Network
Strengthen disaster preparedness and connectivity in four very remote First Nations communities impacted by ex-Tropical Cylone Ellie by supplying mobile journalist kits and training in emergency communications for local reporters.
Tennant Creek$16,367
QUEENSLAND#colspan##colspan##colspan#
Small & Vital#colspan##colspan##colspan#
Alpha District Tourism & Development Assoc. IncNew Seating for the Main Street of Alpha and Giant Game
Support older residents to engage in town life and promote inter-generational engagement with new seating and novelty games for the main street of a very remote community.
Alpha$8,676
Boyne Burnett Inland Rail Trail IncorporatedCounting People Creates Opportunities and Awareness
Install a series of people counters across a volunteer-developed and run rail trail, providing an evidence base for future investment in the rail trail and in local communities.
Mundubbera$4,162
Cherbourg Historical Precinct Group IncorporatedGreening The Ration Shed Museum - A Place to Gather
Purchase a ride-on mower and brush cutter to support the grounds maintenance of a museum used by the community and tourists.
Cherbourg $10,000
Cooloola Coast Medical Transport IncOffice Equipment & Storm Preparation
Support volunteers to provide an essential medical transport service for their community by replacing outdated IT equipment and repairing a damaged storage room roof.
Tin Can Bay$8,600
Eromanga District Rodeo Association IncorporatedEromanga Rodeo Kitchen Facility Upgrades
Enhance capacity of multiple community groups to host events by upgrading kitchen electrical systems and appliances at a key facility in a very remote community.
Eromanga$10,000
Eungella Community Development Association IncCoffee Corner
Enhance local markets, provide barista training for volunteers, and encourage social connection by establishing a commercial-standard coffee station at a local community hall.
Eungella$10,000
Goondiwindi & District Historical Society IncCustoms House Celebrates 50 Years: Hands On Heritage Fair
Enhance inter-generational knowledge-transfer and social connection by supporting older volunteers to share their skills with a series of lost trades workshops and the launch of a military display.
Goondiwindi$10,000
Herberton Pocket Films (HCIA)Meet Me - Moving from Rural Life to Aged Care
Promote intergenerational connection and teach digital skills to young volunteers through producing a series of mini documentaries on rural community members transitioning into aged care.
Herberton$4,700
Innisfail Community Band IncorporatedEmpowerment and Access to Musicality
Enable a community band to support their local music scene by developing a website where local musicians can share music and promote local events.
Innisfail$4,830
Mornington Shire CouncilCommunity Development: Developing Frisbee Golf on Remote Mornington Island
Promote youth engagement, inter-generational connection and environmental sustainability in an isolated community by installing a frisbee golf course, with no-cost frisbees made from recycled materials.
Gununa$10,000
Muttaburra Stock Show SocietyMusic for Muttaburra: live music drawcard for 2025 Stock Show!
Support organisational sustainability and social connection in a very remote community through opening night entertainment as a drawcard to increase numbers at a long-running community event.
Muttaburra$10,000
Noorama Community Group IncNoorama Recreation Grounds Lawn and Garden Establishment Project
Increase community use and amenity of a remote public recreation reserve by establishing lawns and gardens.
Noorama$10,000
Palliative Care Queensland Inc led by Charters Towers Compassionate CommunitiesWhen Grief Comes Sit With Us - Empowering Grief Support
Build skills and support for local palliative care volunteers through training and establishing a peer network across remote Queensland communities.
Charters Towers$6,292
QCWA Branch MitchellKeep Shady for Better Health
Strengthen organisational capacity to provide all weather support for local events such as Christmas markets and community luncheons, by purchasing marquees.
Mitchell$3,452
Warwick & District Archers Association IncToilet / Shower Facilities - Safe Access and Water Supply Upgrade
Upgrade toilet and shower block and water supply at a community facility to build drought resilience and facilitate more diverse community use.
Warwick$5,336
Whitsunday Art Fusion (Art Whitsunday Inc)Strengthening Community Cohesion and Wellbeing Through Creative Arts
Engage isolated community members through the creative arts by co-designing, promoting and facilitating a series of workshops across outlying communities in the region.
Proserpine$7,668
Yamison Hall Recreation Grounds Association IncWheels on Community Recovery
Enhance a volunteer committee’s ability to undertake bushfire mitigation activities by purchasing a trailer to transport their ride-on-mower to secure storage.
Yamison$5,830
Prepare & Recover - General Disaster Preparedness & Recovery#colspan##colspan##colspan#
Quilpie Cultural Society IncRecovery from the Drought Through Creativity
Enhance resilience in a very remote drought-impacted community by providing a series of creative workshops to boost wellbeing and improve social connections.
Quilpie$19,894
SOUTH AUSTRALIA#colspan##colspan##colspan#
Small & Vital#colspan##colspan##colspan#
Australian Dental Foundation IncorporatedHealthy Smiles for Loxton
Provide access to essential healthcare for vulnerable community members by equipping a mobile dental clinic with treatment materials to deliver a free service for an aged care and schools program in a disadvantaged area.
Loxton$10,000
Encounter Centre IncCommunity Garden Upgrade
Provide a disability inclusive environment for health and social wellbeing activities by installing mobility-friendly pathways and garden beds for a community gardening program.
Victor Harbor$7,803
In Home Hospice Care IncorporatedPractical Skills - Carers Education
Strengthen capacity and capability of non-paid carers of vulnerable community members by providing free workshops and opportunities to connect for people who provide palliative care.
Port MacDonnell$9,881
Karoonda and District Bowling Club IncCooking Up Connections - Kitchen Upgrade
Upgrade kitchen appliances to enhance club capacity to ensure volunteer safety and maintain strong community networks at a focal meeting place.
Karoonda$10,000
Mid North Arts (SA) - Burra CMC (Burra Community Management Committee Incorporated)Back to Burra - 180th Celebration
Boost visitation to a historic township, reduce social isolation and enhance community pride by hosting a parade and picnic commemorating 180 years of Burra.
Burra$10,000
Parrakie War Memorial Hall IncorporatedRepurpose for Social Connection
Revitalise the local hall with a safe, accessible outdoor space by adding a concrete base, shed and covered annex for community activities, workshops and social gatherings, reducing social isolation and improving mental health and wellbeing in an isolated place.
Parrakie$7,575
Rotary Club of Bordertown IncorporatedBordertown Patient Transfer Facility
Install a water tank and plumbing in a new patient transport depot to help to ensure patient comfort and effective emergency service coordination.
Bordertown$10,000
Tatiara Retirement Village Soc IncAn Open and Shut Case
Improve access and safety of residents and visitors by installing an automatic door to the recreation centre, increasing accessibility and independence.
Bordertown$10,000
Wilmington Agriculture and Horticulture Society Incorporated2025 Show: Bringing Our Community Together
Foster social cohesion and provide a fun family-friendly event for a community impacted by drought, by offering amusements and entertainment at an annual agricultural show.
Wilmington$4,900
Wudinna And District Bowling Club IncCool Facility: Reverse Cycle Air Con
Install an air conditioner to enhance sustainability, create a comfortable meeting space and boost community engagement in a remote community’s social hub.
Wudinna$10,000
Prepare & Recover - General Disaster Preparedness & Recovery#colspan##colspan##colspan#
The Mount Remarkable Agricultural SocietyReliable, Sustainable Water
Enhance bushfire and drought preparedness and improve organisational infrastructure by installing a solar operated water system at the Melrose Showgrounds.
Melrose$25,000
TASMANIA#colspan##colspan##colspan#
Small & Vital#colspan##colspan##colspan#
Geeveston Community Centre IncUndercover Community BBQ Area
Foster social connection and support volunteer engagement by building an outdoor undercover BBQ area for youth programs, cooking projects and community activities.
Geeveston$9,955
Phoenix Community House IncThe Gateway to Help and Support
Enhance safety, usability and inclusivity and improve amenity through a landscape upgrade and new fence at the entrance to the community centre.
Currie$8,090
VICTORIA#colspan##colspan##colspan#
Small & Vital#colspan##colspan##colspan#
Banyena Community Hall IncorporatedGutter and Downpipe Renewal
Preserve an historic building and enhance community engagement by upgrading plumbing to improve water catchment and provide a comfortable meeting place.
Banyena$8,100
Bena Public Hall IncorporatedReplacement Split Air Con
Install an air conditioner to improve sustainability, create a comfortable meeting space and boost community engagement at the only community hub in Bena.
Bena$2,000
Borodomanin Mechanics InstituteAncona Prepare & Recover Project
Enhance the capacity of a community facility to support older vulnerable residents by purchasing a generator for power back-up during outages.
Ancona$3,300
Fryerstown Community Reserve Committee of ManagementTransition and Activation for a Vital Hub
Maintain a community facility and strengthen neighbourhood connections by upgrading furnishings and website to promote local events, activities and workshops.
Fryerstown$9,949
Gunaikurnai Land & Waters Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC2025 NAIDOC Community Day
Enhance access and community and cultural connections in a culturally safe space on Brayakaulung Country by providing transport and a marquee for a NAIDOC celebration featuring storytelling and educational activities.
Stratford$10,000
Jeparit Heritage Walk CommitteeJeparit Heritage Walk and Talk About
Foster visitation and connection to history and expand educational enrichment for local students by purchasing and installing 40 interpretive signs along a heritage trail.
Jeparit$10,000
Loch Sport Community House IncImprove the Meeting Room and Kitchen
Create a safe, accessible and comfortable meeting place for all, including older residents, by upgrading the electrical system, adding kitchen storage and repainting walls at Loch Sport Public Hall.
Loch Sport$10,000
Pennyroyal Hall IncorporatedNot Too Hot, Not Too Cold, Justtttt Right
Install a climate control system to revitalise and increase usage of Pennyroyal Hall, providing a comfortable year-round gathering place.
Pennyroyal$4,959
Tarrawingee Community Hall Committee of ManagementHeating the Tarrawingee Hall
Increase the use of a facility that provides a social outlet for older people, by installing two split system units to make the space more comfortable and welcoming.
Tarrawingee$10,000
Wycheproof Community Resource Centre IncBuloke Expo & Central Mallee Roadshow
Empower and support regional young people by hosting two primary prevention Youth Health Expo’s for Year 9 and 10 students, covering general health, mental health, drug & alcohol, respectful relationships and consent, increasing knowledge, networks, and practical learnings for better health and wellbeing outcomes.
Birchip$10,000
Prepare & Recover - General Disaster Preparedness & Recovery#colspan##colspan##colspan#
Lockington and District Bush Nursing Centre IncFood Security for Our Community
Enhance health outcomes for vulnerable community members in disaster-affected Lockington by providing emergency food relief and healthy eating initiatives via a local food share program.
Lockington$25,000
Peppin Hub IncorporatedEmpowering Community Resilience: Equipping Our Future
Strengthen bushfire preparedness and volunteer capacity by equipping an emergency response hub with a laptop and printer for improved operations.
Bonnie Doon$4,205
Prepare & Recover - 2022 Flood Recovery#colspan##colspan##colspan#
Neighbourhood Collective Australia LtdThe Story Exchange: Preparedness for Multicultural Communities
Enhance the resilience, preparedness and recovery of multicultural communities in four central Victorian towns affected by the 2022 floods through the delivery of community-led storytelling workshops to foster two-way learning, connecting multicultural communities and emergency services.
Boort$24,800
Prepare & Recover - 2019/2020 Bushfire Recovery#colspan##colspan##colspan#
McCormack Park Grounds Management Committee IncMaintaining a Safe Environment and Refuge
Enhance bushfire preparedness and community safety by purchasing mowing equipment to maintain Merrijig's parkland, and guard a public reserve.
Merrijig$16,000
WESTERN AUSTRALIA#colspan##colspan##colspan#
Small & Vital#colspan##colspan##colspan#
Boab Festival At DerbyBoab Festival - Mardi Gras Opening Night
Support stage costs at the opening event of the Boab Festival, promoting social connection in a very remote and sparsely populated community.
Derby$5,000
East Kimberley Chamber of Commerce and Industry IncorporatedKununurra Community Working Hub
Support the development of a co-work space by providing IT and kitchen equipment, enhancing opportunities for social connection, collaboration and entrepreneurship in a very remote community.
Kununurra$2,500
Forest Heritage Centre IncModern Point of Sale System at Forest Discovery Centre
Support volunteer experience, improve organisational capacity and enhance local economic development by purchasing a modern point of sale system for gift shop and gallery sales.
Dwellingup$1,495
Kununurra Picture Gardens IncorporatedKununurra Picture Gardens Rejuvenation Project (KPGRP)
Promote social engagement in a very remote community by upgrading the projector at a community-owned and volunteer-run outdoor theatre as part of a larger rejuvenation project.
Kununurra$10,000
Manjimup Community Resource Centre IncDigital Literacy Resilience and Empowerment in Manjimup
Foster life-long learning, community resilience and cohesion by providing IT equipment for a digital literacy program targeting vulnerable community members.
Manjimup$9,989
Noongar Kaartdijin Aboriginal CorporationBoorn and Boodja: Etching Culture into a Yarning Circle
Advance opportunities to preserve and learn about First Nations culture by installing etched wooden seating for a yarning circle on a cultural trail.
Toodyay$4,260
Shire of WilunaHealthy Cooking in Wiluna
Provide a community healthy cooking program in a very remote community to foster lifelong wellbeing.
Wiluna$10,000
Southern Edge Arts IncorporatedSouthern Edge Arts Kwoorabup Circus
Support a community-wide strategy to boost youth wellbeing through the provision of equipment, expert safety advice and marketing for the establishment of weekly circus workshops.
Denmark$9,807
The Cannery Arts Centre IncGather & Grow: Social Gardening and Morning Tea at Forage
Encourage social connection and improve food security in a remote community by providing equipment, materials and facilitation for an inclusive weekly gardening and morning tea program.
Esperance$9,995
Yarra Yarra Catchment Management Group IncorporatedImproving Capacity to Deliver Community NRM Projects Enhance organisational capacity and improve volunteer capability to deliver NRM projects by providing IT equipment, training and materials.Perenjori$9,570

The much-loved Bellingen Show has been held in the NSW Bellingen Shire every year since 1881. Its purpose is to entertain and educate the community, as well as celebrate the rural heritage of the Shire.

In 2022, the Bellinger River area​ was impacted by major floods, challenging the existing practices in rural agricultural shows. Unprecedented rainfall meant that the Bellingen Show hosted its first community event with no show rides. What initially appeared to be a huge problem became an opportunity to re-imagine the show and the entertainment it offers.

The Bellinger River Agricultural Society came up with the idea of an Artisan’s Tent for the 2023 event, a space where regional artists could display, sell and demonstrate techniques of their creative skills. A $10,000 Strengthening Rural Communities grant was used to hire the marquee, which hosted a variety of engaging and creative workshops for all ages and abilities.

Recognising that art therapy can support flood recovery, the Artisan’s Tent encouraged show-goers to come together and have fun with diverse arts and crafts, ranging from crochet and tapestry work, to creating a community mosaic mural of local snapping turtles that was later installed in town. Four large working Japanese textile looms onsite also enabled show visitors to weave their own unique piece of fabric. Overall, the Show committee engaged 15 artists from the area, including CALD and senior artists.

The Agricultural Society had hoped to offer an indigenous-led art workshop in the tent but the two artists that they reached out to were unavailable. Still wanting to arrange an offering from the Indigenous community, a smoking ceremony and welcome to country were organised and a local Indigenous music group performed on the Sunday, singing in the Gumbanyggirr language.

Susanne Lumsdaine, President of the Bellinger River Agricultural Society, said “The marquee space delivered a vibrant two days of free, hands-on activities for more than 4000 patrons attending the community event.”

The new Artisan’s Tent was a key contributor to the Bellinger River Agricultural Society winning the 2023 Ag Show’s NSW Innovation Award for their focus on sustainability and creativity – a fantastic achievement, as theirs was one of 192 regional agricultural shows involved.

More flexible support needed to ensure sustainable, vibrant and empowered communities

FRRR is calling for individuals and organisations to help meet the unmet needs of remote, rural and regional communities, which continue to grow despite FRRR distributing a record $22.5 million in grants in 2023 financial year (FY23).

Alpha District Tourism & Development Association is a previous recipient of an FRRR small grant

In FY23, FRRR’s flagship program, Strengthening Rural Communities, awarded more than $3.7 million via 466 small grants, valued at $10,000 or less, that directly benefited remote, rural and regional communities across Australia. The total value of those projects was more than $15.1 million, showing a remarkable leverage of a relatively small investment.

But this is only half the story. In FY23, for nearly every 10 projects that received a small grant, one missed out. In the last round of this program alone, there were 85 funding-ready projects that FRRR couldn’t support because it didn’t have enough money.

Natalie Egleton, FRRR’s CEO, says that FRRR’s small grants empower people in remote, rural and regional Australia to create communities that are vibrant and sustainable places to live and work, for the long-term.

“Rural people want to see their communities thrive. They want to be able to support those doing it tough or with special needs, like older residents; enhance community facilities to respond to the changing climate; provide access to music and cultural experiences for younger people; host events that bring a remote community together to celebrate what makes it unique or to recover after difficult times, just to name a few.

“But every small grants round we offer is oversubscribed, meaning with few alternative funding options, many community projects are left unfunded and critical needs are left unmet.

“It’s not just the dollars that are missed. Groups also say that FRRR’s funding has helped them to build capacity and confidence in their ability to test, learn and develop future other project ideas.

“Small grants help to bridge these gaps and make a lasting difference to remote, rural and regional Australia. By donating to FRRR, you help remote, rural and regional groups – many of whom can’t access funding elsewhere – to create vibrant, sustainable and empowered communities for the long-term,” Ms Egleton explains.

For example, previous small grant recipient, Alpha District Tourism & Development Association, in Queensland, explains, “FRRR has allowed us to achieve something that would have taken us years of fundraising for. Being a very small town fundraising is difficult due to the number of other small clubs and the small population. FRRR Grants are vital to help small communities.”

In Donald, Victoria, the St Arnaud Neighbourhood House used a small grant to improve social participation and the health and wellbeing of aged care residents, by getting local volunteers to record the resident’s life stories. Beyond the monetary value of the grant, the impact of this project was felt deeply throughout the community.

As the organisation shared with FRRR, “We believe this project created a community with a stronger social fabric, where young people were able to gain insights into the lives of those who came before them, and where the residents felt appreciated and respected, and that their life story was being honoured. We were most proud of the effect this project had upon the residents, many of whom were feeling isolated and forgotten. By demonstrating to them that they and their history still had meaning and importance, they felt a connection to the community and to the young people involved in the project.”

Meanwhile, in Morawa, Western Australia, the local playgroup was able to grow educational enrichment opportunities for 0-5 year olds by creating a shady nature play space. with the support of an FRRR small grant. In their project acquittal, Playgroup WA wrote that, “By completing this project it shows that despite being a small, low socio-economic town we can make life better for ourselves. We deserve nice facilities and can create them with the help of organisations like FRRR.”

It’s not just community groups that attest to the critical role of FRRR small grants. Natalie Devlin, Chief Experience Officer at Charter Hall, explains, “Having worked with FRRR since 2020, we have seen first-hand the difference they can make through their local understanding, and connection to grassroots organisations that often can’t access support otherwise.”

To enable FRRR to award more small grants, donate at: here. Contributions of $2 or more are tax deductible.

Find out more about the impact of small grants at: frrr.org.au/small-grants.

Morawa, a small town in Western Australia’s wheatbelt, lacks recreational and social opportunities for families with young children. With no cafes, the Morawa Playgroup, run for the last 40+ years, by mums (and the odd dad) serves as the primary gathering space for parents and caregivers seeking connection and support. However, Morawa Playgroup’s outdoor area was uninspiring, with a dying lawn and hard claypan soil.

Recognising the need for a vibrant outdoor space, the mums of Morawa Playgroup embarked on a project to transform their drab outdoor area into a nature playground. Collaborating with a local landscape designer, they developed a comprehensive plan to:

  • Remove the old, inefficient irrigation system and replace it with a waterwise garden;
  • Create a nature play space featuring sensory boxes, timber bridges, and a creek bed;
  • Install shade sails to provide relief from the scorching sun and enhance the usability of the outdoor area;
  • Establish seating areas for parents to connect and support each other while their children play.

The project unfolded over three years and received a boost from an FRRR grant of $9737, funded by Raine & Horne Foundation.

The completion of the project in September 2023 marked a significant milestone for Morawa Playgroup and the broader community. It’s now the only nature play space in the Shire, which spans 190km2, offering children and parents a welcoming and engaging environment. The shaded, waterwise garden has transformed the outdoor area, allowing children to play outdoors year-round and fostering a sense of connection among families.

Beyond the immediate benefits to the playgroup, the project’s impact extended to Morawa District High School, where reduced water bills freed up funds for educational resources. The positive effects of green spaces on mental wellbeing were evident at the opening of the new play space, signalling a brighter future for the community.

Despite the challenges of being a small, low socio-economic town, the project demonstrates the power of grassroots initiatives to improve quality of life. Morawa Playgroup’s success serves as a testament to the community’s resilience and determination to create a better future for its children and families.

Youngman Creek rehabilitation volunteer wellbeing program

The Namabunda property, situated in what was once the Big-Scrub subtropical rainforest covering over 75,000 Ha of the Northern Rivers, has degraded over the past 30 years – since its days as a lychee farm due to a lack of maintenance.

Bundjalung Tribal Society (BTS) is primarily a housing organisation providing social housing for the Aboriginal community in and around Lismore in northern NSW. They inherited the property and have spent many years, with volunteer support, trying to rehabilitate it to use for cultural activities and ecological preservation, planting bush tucker and medicines, running training and capacity building programs. Despite their efforts, setbacks like bushfires and the COVID pandemic have hindered progress. Community engagement, vital for sustaining the project, has waned due to volunteer fatigue and lockdown restrictions. BTS see the degradation of the Youngman Creek on the property as symbolic of the broader environmental and social challenges facing the community.

The group sought funding to help mobilise the community and resource them with support and infrastructure, expert training and capacity building to rehabilitate the Creek.

“By rehabilitating the creek, we rehabilitate ourselves and our community.”

With a grant of $9,997, supported by GlobalGiving, the group hosted a series of events at Namabunda which attracted significant community participation, including:

  1. Build community cohesion through shared activities and cultural workshops.
  2. Provide training in bush regeneration and ecosystem management for volunteers, especially in photographic monitoring of weed removal and tree planting;
  3. Offer wellbeing support and workshops led by qualified counselors to address the emotional toll of recent challenges.
  4. Deliver Bundjalung cultural and ecological knowledge workshops, installing didactic signs about the work to increase awareness and use of Bundjalung ecological knowledge and language, and explaining and demonstrating the value of a healthy waterway ecosystem to neighbouring landowners.

These events will integrate practical activities, such as weeding and planting, with educational sessions on assisted native regeneration techniques. A focus on the Youngman Creek watershed aligns with the project’s theme of “renewal” and underscores the interconnectedness of environmental and community resilience.

Moving forward, Namabunda serves as a model for holistic, community-driven land management that nurtures both people and the environment.

“The thing we are most proud of is the sense of belonging and identity that we have generated through this project in response to the fires, pandemic and then the floods. The thing that was most successful is the deeper engagement between Bundjalung people and non-Indigenous people. The connections that we have built up over the last 18 months is really beautiful to see”.

FRRR and Gardiner Foundation offer grants up to $5,000 to local not-for-profits

Community groups in small dairy communities across Gippsland, South-West and Northern Victoria can now apply for Gardiner Foundation Community Grants up to $5,000 to strengthen and build capacity in their dairying region.

Kyabram Development Committee Incorporated and Rochester Community House were awarded Gardiner Dairy Foundation Community Grant Program grants in 2022. Pictured here with FRRR’s Jill Karena and Fiona Bradshaw.

Over the last 22 years, FRRR and Gardiner Foundation have granted more than $2.2 million to 560 projects that have helped these farming communities to be more connected, sustainable, and vibrant places to live and work.

This year, the Gardiner Foundation Community Grants Program is offering grants totalling $120,000 to not-for-profit organisations (NFPs) for a broad range of projects that help their dairying communities to thrive.

Allan Cameron, Gardiner Foundation CEO, said that the Foundation is committed to continuing to invest in the local groups that are working to enhance the liveability of small Victorian towns reliant on the dairy industry.

 “We know that year in, year out, community volunteers are committed to the work of local community groups which meet local challenges and create opportunities to strengthen the fabric of their communities.” Mr Cameron said.

Historically, the community grants have funded a diverse range of projects, including initiatives that support education and training, health and social wellbeing or the amenity of a public setting.

Last year’s Community Grants Program provides some examples of the range of initiatives that are funded. In Leongatha, the local Men’s Shed, which hosts a range of community groups, including the local choir, received funds for an air conditioner. In Gellibrand, the local Hall Committee received a grant to buy new chairs to improve the amenity and safety of the community’s meeting space. Warrnambool College and Grasmere Primary School received a grant to establish an Indigenous sensory garden, which has provided students with hands on experience to enhance their educational outcomes.

“I look forward to seeing the impact that is delivered from this year’s grants,” Mr Cameron said.

Natalie Egleton, CEO of FRRR, said it’s wonderful to have partners, like Gardiner Foundation, that understand the impact that small grants can have on rural places.

“We know from past recipients that these grants have enabled communities to achieve more than they would otherwise. Groups also tell us how it can often be a catalyst for further funding. This reaffirms the importance of this program, and it shows that with just a small amount of seed funding, communities can build resilience and thrive.

“I encourage community groups to take advantage of these grants and consider how they can leverage the funds, so that they have the capacity to inspire, engage and strengthen their dairy communities,” Ms Egleton said.

Applications for the Gardiner Foundation Community Grants Program close 21 March 2024 at 5 pm AEDT.

An online grantseeker workshop will be held Monday, 19 February 2024 from 2-3pm AEDT.

For more information about the grants, or to register for the grantseeker workshop, please visit the Gardiner Foundation Community Grants Program webpage.

In 2020 the Bruny Island District School Parents & Friends committee identified the need to upgrade the ‘Billabong Playground’, which caters for children up to five and their families.

Working with a local landscaper, the plan was to retain the swings, cubby house, bike path and sandpit and add an above ground timber tunnel with climbing grips over it, a small princess castle and artificial grass covered seats/jumping pods. They also intended to create a safe water play area incorporating a cauldron that fills with water and can be released via a plug. This flows into a wetland area beyond the playground fence. All this would be surrounded by plants and surfaces that stimulate sensory play.

While there were some changes along the way, the main installation and repair took place in early October 2022 and was ready for use mid-October. The work was undertaken by a local contractor, with volunteers adding plants and the artificial grass seats, as well as some timber sleeper steps in mid-October 2022.

The project was supported by a $10,000 SRC grant, thanks to the support of the Bertalli Family Foundation. However, local businesses were also asked to contribute to the project, which meant they could also install a timber shelter. The Playground is now fully functional with the 65+ students from the school and wider community being able to access it.

But the project resulted in far more than just a great play space for the children. It has strengthened the connections between the school and local businesses and the community more broadly. Additionally, the project gave a small group of volunteers the confidence to know that they can achieve great outcomes to improve their community. They displayed courage and aspiration, values that have been included in Bruny School’s values and it’s fantastic for the students to see the results they can bring, not only individuals but the entire community and future generations.

By Jeanice Henderson, In a Good Place Program Coordinator

Despite the many positive aspects of living in remote, rural, and regional communities, there are also distinct challenges associated with distance and isolation, which place these communities at greater risk of poorer mental health outcomes.

These include:

  • Lack of available service or long wait times;
  • Poor, interrupted or lack of digital services and access;
  • Reduction in volunteers, business closures, job losses, loss of agricultural markets;
  • Poorer outcomes in the social determinants of health;
  • Life on the land can be hard – drought, fire, flood, mouse plague, cyclones; and
  • Stigma, shame, and ‘stiff upper lip’ attitudes to mental health.

The compounding and accumulative effects of some or all of these things take their toll – on individuals, families and the communities they live in.

Local solutions need support

At FRRR, we have found that the most effective responses to these challenges are often community centered but lack access or visibility to government or philanthropic funding.

Simple, flexible and accessible funding is required to support projects, programs and activities that create supportive environments, strengthen communities to act, develop personal skills and support services to re-orientate their programs to be both inclusive and appropriate for all.

This is where philanthropy can play an important enabling role, especially for grassroots organisations that often can’t access traditional philanthropy.

Small grants can be the straightforward and friendly ‘front door’ through which grassroots organisations can step to build their capability, connect their community and navigate and drive change.

In fact, for many communities experiencing disadvantage, small grants are one of the few ways that they can get the resources and opportunities to launch new ideas or approaches in their communities.

While not always ‘sexy’, the projects and the needs met through these grants, can address areas of disadvantage and inequity in communities that often have little visibility to funders and policymakers.

We’ve seen this be particularly effective when those small grants are targeted toward addressing specific needs. A case in point is in the area of mental health.

In A Good Place

In a Good Place is a national philanthropic grant program, delivered by FRRR and funded in partnership with CCI Giving.

This aim is to support people living in remote, rural and regional communities seeking help who are at risk of, or are experiencing, mental health issues.

The program has a relatively small, flexible funding pool of $250,000 per year, and offers grants of up to $20,000 to enable rural communities to action their ideas and solutions.

Our focus is to support efforts to strengthen the mental health of at-risk or vulnerable people via services or activities that are preventative or responsive in nature and designed to engage those less likely or unable to participate in mental, social and emotional wellbeing activities.

This program truly reflects the FRRR ethos that local communities are best placed to identify local needs, local opportunities and lead local responses.

We have run the program since 2018 and have so far funded 84 projects  – that’s $1.25 million in small grants invested into remote, rural and regional communities to support non-clinical approaches to mental health and wellbeing.

We’re very proud of it, but it’s really a drop in the ocean, as demand for this kind of support is very strong – and only increasing. Between 2018 and 2023, 397 applications requested over $6,443,348 in grant funding for combined total project cost of $18,981,059.

Further, 24.8% of these were first time applicants to FRRR, as this is one of the few programs of its type. And, in reality, they are not seeking very much funding – the average request was $16,230.

Of the successful applications:

  • The smallest grant was $2,970.
  • The average grant was $14,935.80.
  • 23.8% were awarded the full grant amount ($20,000).
  • Our $1.25 million support projects valued at over $4.5 million.
  • Local communities are still putting in a lot – the estimated value of in-kind support for funded projects is $1,126,082.

Every dollar granted by the In a Good Place program was matched by an additional $2.61 in other funding or in -kind support.

Demand is high

Since the program opened, more than 400 organisations have applied, requesting nearly $6.5 million towards projects with a combined value of over $19 million.

Remember, these are for relatively small grants – up to $20,000 – so it’s clear that there is a strong appetite out there to support community mental health and wellbeing.

Who benefits

So, just who is applying for these grants?

The short answer is grassroots community groups. FRRR doesn’t require applicants to have any special status, such as DRG1. This means we receive applications from community groups that are working directly with community members, families, young people, older people, veterans, gender specific focus groups, mental health and suicide awareness groups, community houses and school councils.

The word cloud above comes directly from the themes listed in this year’s In a Good Place applications. While there are different ideas that appear each round, there are some consistent themes and project approaches each round, including:

  • Suicide prevention.
  • Capacity building such as Mental Health First Aid training.
  • Alleviating loneliness and isolation.
  • Projects focused on the mental health of specific cohorts – men, youth, aged, students, families, farmers, culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities.
  • Community gardens / horticulture, animal therapy, art therapy nutrition and exercise as integral parts of overall mental health and wellbeing programs.
  • Mental health and wellbeing awareness activities.
  • Events that bring people together, connect with each other.
  • Responding to the impacts of cumulative economic, social and emotional impacts of successive natural disasters and COVID.

Emerging themes of late have included:

  • Community based support programs for ADF Veterans / First Responders.
  • Supporting those affected by domestic violence.
  • Responding to social determinants of mental health, such as food security, housing security / homelessness, disability and under / insecure employment.
  • Increased recognition and use of lived experience and peer volunteers.

Proven impacts

There are many stories that we could share about the impacts of these grants and how they have contributed to building healthier, resilient and better-connected communities by supporting and promoting mental health awareness, and building individual and community resilience.

I’m Not Afraid To Talk

For example – University of South Australia partnered with a community group called I’m Not Afraid to Talk to pilot and evaluate a Men’s Mental Health program. It sought to challenge the stigma surrounding mental health – by doing so in an environment that is very familiar to local men and adolescents – the football club. The aim was to improve mental health and reduce the risk of suicide by providing a safe and informed environment in which to connect with others and normalise self-help seeking. 

Working around COVID restrictions, cancellation of the football season, harvesting and extreme weather events, the workshops were held in Kimba, Tumby Bay and Cowell in SA.

Each four-hour workshop featured local speakers who shared their experienced, which was followed by a series of activities that focused on how men may be perceived by others and how they perceive themselves, shared experiences and the importance of ongoing open conversations about mental health.

Comments received after the football club presentations were interesting, but we particularly liked the insight from one man  –  “mental health discussion rarely starts without a major poke.:

Subsequently, a toolkit was developed by UniSA and INATT to guide the footy clubs in continuing the mental health conversation. The steps and strategies listed in the resource were based on community development principles.

INATT ran an additional workshop for women. This was  extremely popular, with more than 80 women attending from Kimba and surrounding communities.

The project leveraged the extremely strong links INATT has with the Greater Flinders and Eastern Eyre communities, which was evident by their excellent leadership and facilitation of the workshops and high attendance, and the expertise of Uni SA in capturing the insights from each workshop and developing the community tool kits for clubs to use.

Melodies, Mates and Mental Health

In another example, Mullewa is a small agricultural community in WA, which experiences the challenges of rural isolation, declining population, long distances and dependence on the weather for economic success in farming and tourism. These challenges were putting many at risk of poor physical and mental health, exacerbated by the consequences of COVID which saw events cancelled that traditionally brought people together and sustained strong social connections.

The Mullewa Community Resource Centre used their grant to deliver six free, community concerts in the smaller remote locations in the district. Each event brought people together for a BBQ, music and an interval during which there was a presentation regarding mental health. There was always a collection of resources that people could take home. They also conducted events in Mullewa at the end of the year and at the Mullewa Agricultural Show, which not only attracted the locals but visitors who were in town.

To really drive home the mental health message and develop the skills and capacity of the locals, the Resource Centre engaged a facilitator to run a Mental Health First Aid course. While only nine people attended, it actually meant that one additional skilled person was now available for every 50 adults in their community.

With the remaining funds, they engaged professionals to facilitate “Gather with the Women of Mullewa” and “A Night with the Blokes of Mullewa”, with both workshops focused on open, honest communication about how you are feeling with loved ones, family or friends.

Overall, they estimate about 500 people participated, sometimes more than once. The music events brought people together and built shared memories, while the training events built vital skills and networks and the confidence to use them when needed.

Creating a Safe Space

Another great example is local suicide prevention group, Every Life Matters (ELM), who teamed up with the Castlemaine Neighbourhood House to establish the Castlemaine Safe Space. It has become an inclusive venue for people to connect with others when feeling vulnerable.

Working with the local health services, ELM identified when there were local spikes in calls for assistance and pinpointed two evenings per week where there seemed to be a greatest need and aimed to operate over those times.

While the challenge was on to find a suitable location, the group worked with Roses in the Ocean and Living Works to develop a training schedule to support lived experience volunteers to work at the Safe Space during opening times. The In a Good Place program provided seed funding to support the training and purchase some basic equipment for the space.

Eighteen peer volunteers were trained in the first instance, and the centre welcomed more than 30 people through the doors in the first three months. Interestingly, most of them were male.

The Safe Space is now an independent group and has found a more permanent home. They have received additional funding to train more volunteers with lived experience to enable extended opening times and guard against fatigue, and to increase the visibility of the space in the local community. They have also gained funding support from the local Council. This is an innovative project and one that we watch with interest as it develops and progresses.

Small grants, big impact

The In a Good Place program – and targeted small grants more generally, have a definite and important role to play in supporting rural communities to activate their ideas and solutions.

Analysis of final reports confirm that at a community level, the program has increased the knowledge and understanding of mental health issues in those rural communities, and helped to reduce stigma for those experiencing mental health challenges.

It is a relevant, responsive and proactive program within the greater scope of positive mental health promotion and early mental ill-health intervention.

We acknowledge that it is a relatively small contribution. But the communities we work with tell us they are forever grateful that the funds were available to support them.

One grantee sums this up perfectly, “If just one person can be supported through a crisis without a tragedy, then the program is a success.”

If you’d like to add your support to these kinds of impactful community-led projects, please contact our partnerships team.

By Jill Karena, Place Portfolio Lead

Philanthropy invests significantly in communities by making grants right across Australia. In FRRR’s case, we are focused on supporting remote, rural and regional communities, especially grassroots organisations that often can’t access traditional philanthropy. However, there is no one-size-fits-all solution, which is why we offer a range of programs – some where we work deeply over multiple years through place-based initiatives to build the capacity of a group of local not for profits, and others where we work broadly through our small grants programs – offering up to $25,000, although most are around $10,000.

These small grants programs are our most in-demand which are well suited to co-funding approaches that enable collective contributions to achieve more together and create leverage for funders and communities. While not always ‘sexy’, the needs met through these grants address areas of disadvantage and basic quality of life in communities with little visibility to funders and policymakers. They range from upgrading toilets and kitchens, which improves accessibility of community facilities, to installing air-conditioners to manage climate extremes, and seed funding new ideas to stimulate new approaches to volunteering, health services, and disaster preparedness. Moreover, their value goes far beyond the dollars themselves. From more than 20 years of experience, we can safely say that in the case of many grassroots community groups, small is good.

Valuing community connection between generations: Arts Deloraine’s WinterFire 2023 Festival was awarded $25,000 from the Strengthening Rural Communities 2022 Flood Recovery Fund.

Small grants, big impact

By their very nature, small grants are simpler to navigate and have lower barriers to entry, making them more appealing to a wider range of organisations. Some grant programs, like FRRR’s Strengthening Rural Communities, also offer expert support by phone or email, making the process even easier.

Small grants can be the straightforward and friendly ‘front door’ through which grassroots organisations can step to build their capability, connect their community and navigate and drive change. In fact, for many communities experiencing disadvantage, small grants are one of the few ways that they can get the resources and opportunities to launch new ideas or approaches in their communities. And they deliver far more than just money.

Dipping a toe in, learning as they go

For communities that have not applied for funding before, small grants build their experience and confidence in developing project ideas, applying for funding, project management, budgeting and meeting reporting requirements. In the last 12 months, more than a third of Strengthening Rural Communities grant applicants (503 organisations) were first time applicants.  Even if they aren’t successful the first time around, constructive feedback, such as the detailed information we always offer to unsuccessful applicants, can give them the confidence to apply again.

Biting off just what they can chew

Many communities are great at developing a long-term vision for their community that might focus on local services, economic development, environmental sustainability or climate change adaption but much as they’d like to do so, it’s simply not possible to achieve everything at once. Small grants enable a community to tackle making those big changes one project at a time. This supports them to make incremental progress against their long-term goals, while the lower scrutiny and risk associated with a small amount of funding can be less anxiety-inducing for organisations who are new to grant seeking.

Attracting more funding

Securing their first small grant is a pivotal moment for an organisation. It’s not just about funding support – it is also a recognition of the value of an organisation’s work and its ability to contribute to their community’s future. Once they’ve been successful, it’s often a catalyst for aiming higher and developing self-belief and self-reliance to create positive change in their community.

Demonstrating that they can successfully manage their first small grant and deliver tangible results builds an organisation’s credibility and can help open the door to securing larger grants to scale-up their project or take on a more ambitious idea. Often, it’s also the vote of confidence that other donors need to see to also come in and support the group’s work.

Getting to work sooner

Small grants usually have shorter application and approval timelines and offer more flexibility to enable communities to tailor projects to meet local priorities and needs, or quickly respond to unexpected disasters and other shocks. Smaller grants also usually come with fewer restrictions and reporting requirements compared to larger grants, which can often make it easier to negotiate with the funder to adapt their project if conditions change.

Finding and piloting local solutions

The flexibility of small grants also encourages communities to experiment with local problem solving, potentially sparking new approaches that are scalable or portable to other communities. Often small grants are seed funding to pilot locally generated or adopted ideas that are not of interest to larger grant programs. Using small grant funding to demonstrate the viability of a community idea can generate the evidence needed to secure larger grants or other support to bring the idea to reality.

“Thank you so much for providing the funds for this grant. This renovation has given Council initiative to support the Toy Library by maintaining the building so we can provide an inviting space and nurturing space for the community. The Toy Library has had many, many years of dedication by passionate volunteers to support and nurture the children of Tamworth and I think it deserves it!

When I started as president the library looked awful and didn’t reflect the commitment, love and pride that our small but dedicated group deserved. Now I feel like our space reflects our organisation. An important community organisation that cares and values the children, parents and carers of Tamworth and feels that learning through play is core to a child’s life and development! Another positive change is that the renovations have been a catalyst for council to complete much needed (and much requested) maintenance on the building by fixing gutters, replacing doors and cracked tiles and replacing the old sink and toilet.”

Tamworth Toy Library Incorporated

Connecting the Community

Fostering unity by recovering together and increasing tourism: Performers at WinterFire 2023, Deloraine, in Tasmania.

Small grants also offer a reason for different groups in the community to work together to develop and deliver projects that are meaningful and manageable. When community members, other community organisations and Local Government see the results from a small grant project that makes their community better, it is a great morale booster, and they are more likely to be motivated to get involved in future community initiatives.

“The event’s success lies in its ability to bring the community together, boost the local economy, and celebrate cultural heritage. The event provided a platform for residents to come together after the floods, share their experiences, and rebuild social connections. Through artistic workshops, events, and exhibitions, community members bonded over shared creative experiences, fostering unity and a sense of belonging.”

Arts Deloraine – festival / youth workshops (flood recovery)

Building local capacity

It’s not just the mere fact of offering smaller-value grants that makes an impact. It’s what those grants fund that also helps to build local capacity, especially in small communities or where a new group has formed. For example, many of the grants FRRR funds are about helping groups build their own capacity – whether that’s the likes of governance training or strategic planning support.

“The grant received for strategic planning has paid for itself many times over. We had members who had ideas in their head but didn’t know how to plan or implement them. Since receiving the grant, we’ve been able to increase attendance of our market to over 5000 visitors in November 2021! We’ve also been able to provide free stalls to local community groups to increase their outreach. This also has a flow on effect to small businesses in the town. The pub is booked out for lunch, little local businesses thrive due to the amazing success of the market.”

Rotary Club of Kinglake Ranges

Bigger is not always better

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Photo-10-8-16-7-53-47-pm-scaled.jpg
The Rotary Club of Kinglake Ranges was awarded $1,100 through the Community Group Futures Program. This funded governance training to improve management and support of local community groups.

Often, we hear suggestions that larger grants are better – but the reality is that many of the most deserving groups in the smallest and most remote locations simply will not – or indeed simply are not able to – apply for many of those grant opportunities.

While it’s great to see larger grants made available to communities, especially through Government programs, it is critical that we not lose sight of how important small grants are in strengthening capability and capacity in remote, rural and regional communities. Small communities, as you might guess, are, well… small! This can make it hard to compete with larger communities, especially when it comes to demonstrating measures of impact which funders often ask for – small communities can’t point to economies of scale or large numbers of beneficiaries.

With fewer people to draw on, volunteers are often stretched and there are less likely to be paid resources or an experienced grant writer to chase high-value grants or manage large-scale projects. Groups often won’t apply because they don’t have the capacity to meet the reporting requirements or to manage the other governance expectations, such as the frequency of reporting or detailed probity plans. Even the prospect of managing large sums of money can be scary for a first-time grant applicant and some small communities can find it simply overwhelming!

What makes small grants so impactful in rural and remote Australia is their flexibility and relative simplicity, which means they’re more accessible and attractive to those communities that don’t have the resources to wrestle with the complexities of large grants. So we urge all those who are working so hard to grow the funds that are directed via the social sector to make sure that small grants continue to be a key stream of funding. If you’re funding large grants, consider coupling that with some smaller grant funding as well – they may well become organisations you’re able to fund in the future. Or, if you’re funding with a very tight focus, consider how small grants with more flexibility may bring unexpected pathways to that impact. Of course, we always welcome more partners for our collaboratively-funded Strengthening Rural Communities program, so get in touch if you’d like to know more.

Additional $150,000 per year going into canola-growing areas to support sustainability initiatives

FRRR has welcomed a three-year commitment from canola seed business, Nuseed, to support its flagship small grants program, Strengthening Rural Communities.

Nuseed Australia General Manager, Rachel Palumbo, and FRRR’s Place Portfolio Lead, Jill Karena

Announced at an event in Horsham on Wednesday 11 October, Nuseed Australia GM, Rachel Palumbo, said that with deep roots in rural communities, they wanted to give back to causes and organisations that are important to the farmers who invest in their seed, particularly around sustainability initiatives.

Ms Palumbo said, “Our team works hard to develop high-performing canola varieties for Australian farmers, and we know that we are successful because of the support we get in the local communities in which we operate. By partnering with FRRR we can support canola-growing communities in a tangible and significant way. The majority of our Nuseed team are also based in communities just like these, and see the benefits that community-focused projects can bring.”

“Nuseed is delighted to be adding our name to the list of organisations that are partnering with FRRR to ensure that funds get to the projects that really need support. Our funding will be directed at projects in canola-growing areas across the country that focus on sustainability related initiatives, in line with our strategic intent to provide plant-based solutions to some of food and fuel challenges we’re facing.”

Jill Karena, FRRR’s Place Programs Portfolio Lead, said the $150,000 annual donation will mean that many more community groups can invest in projects that they know will make a difference to the liveability and vitality of their communities.

“We are seeing more and more requests from community groups to help them respond to their changing needs, so it’s wonderful to be able to have dedicated funding available in canola-growing areas to be able to support these great projects.

“In some communities, that might look like installing air-conditioning in community owned buildings to reduce energy costs, providing sustainability focused education, undertaking tree planting, or waterway restoration initiatives. For other communities, it could be that the priority is to have a backup generator, solar panels or water tanks to ensure community gardens can be maintained.

“That’s the value of small grants programs like Strengthening Rural Communities. They are flexible and allow communities to get the funding to support the projects they prioritise, so we are really grateful for Nuseed’s support of this program. Our partnership will also mean that community groups get access to advice and support that builds their confidence and enables them to lodge a great application. We look forward to awarding many more grants thanks to their contribution,” Ms Karena said.

The Nuseed funding will be included in the next round of SRC, which is open now and will be announced by late February 2024. Community groups can already apply for SRC support, as this program is always open, with quarterly assessments. The program offers grants up to $10,000 through the Small and Vital stream for projects that strengthen community connections and meet local priorities.