Supporting Community Foundations

A Community Foundation is an independent, community-owned philanthropic organisation that operates in a specific region. It works with a range of donors to build endowment funds as long-term community assets; over time, a community foundation will typically build up a collection of endowed funds from many donors in the community. It makes grants to local organisations and initiatives, and it brings people together to build social capital and strengthen their communities by undertaking community leadership and partnership activities to address a wide variety of needs in its service area. In a nutshell:  local people giving time, skills and money for community benefit.

FRRR has been a catalyst for and strong supporter of several Community Foundations over many years, providing financial support for feasibility studies as well as supporting the work of many Foundations around Australia through Sustainability Grants, which enabled them to meet their operating costs. We continue to support Community Foundations, as we believe they are an effective way of developing and delivering place-based philanthropy.

We saw very clear evidence of the impact of Community Foundations through the Back to School program (now closed) and in the many small grant programs these vital community organisations continue to run.

• Australian Communities Foundation (National)
• Ballarat Foundation (VIC)
• Bass Coast Community Foundation (VIC)
• Border Trust (Community Foundation for Albury Wodonga Region) (VIC / NSW)
• Community Foundation Snowy Valleys Region (formerly Community Foundation for Tumut Region) (NSW)
• Denmark Community Foundation (WA)
• Foundation Barossa (SA)
• Foundation Murrindindi (VIC)
• Fremantle Foundation (WA)
• Geelong Community Foundation (VIC)
• Gippsland Community Foundation (VIC)
• Into Our Hands Community Foundation (VIC)
• Mirboo North and District Community Foundation (VIC)
• Mparntwe Alice Springs Community Foundation (NT)
• Mumbulla Community Foundation (NSW)
• Northern Rivers Community Foundation (NSW)
• Red Earth Community Foundation (QLD)
• South West Community Foundation (VIC)
• Southern Highlands Community Foundation (NSW) 
• Stand Like Stone (SA) 
• Tomorrow Today Foundation (VIC)
• Upper Murray Innovation Foundation (VIC)

• Broken Hill Community Foundation (NSW)
• Buderim Foundation (QLD)
• Eyre Peninsula Community Foundation (SA)
• Fleurieu Community Foundation (SA)
• Kinglake Ranges Foundation (VIC)
• Mackay Foundation Trust (QLD)
• Mitchell Community Resources & Advocacy Group (MCRAG) (VIC)

Community Foundations Australia (CFA) is the peak organisation and network for Community Foundations in Australia, assisting them to establish, grow and achieve their objectives. To explore the benefits a Community Foundation could offer your community or your philanthropic fund, please visit their website or contact us to discuss further.