Rebuilding Futures

Round 4 recipient: Cape York Folk Club Incorporated, Rossville, QLD

Rebuilding Futures is a responsive disaster preparedness and recovery grant program. It is activated from time to time to support remote, rural and regional communities impacted by extreme weather events.

The program provides grants for local not-for-profit community organisations to undertake community-identified and community-led recovery activities that can strengthen resilience and enable projects for building back better to reduce the impact of future disasters on community wellbeing and physical infrastructure.

Further information

Learn more about the Rebuilding Futures program and how to put together a great application:

2025 Grantseeker Webinar recording

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Round 5 of Rebuilding Futures is now closed.

How to apply

Please read the information on each of the three tabs below to make sure this is the right grant for your project.

If you want to explore other grant options, please go to Find Funding Now.

I have a question, who can I talk to?

Jane Crane

Ph: 1800 170 020 or Email: [email protected]

Confirm you are eligible to apply for this grant

To make sure this is the right grant for your community, please read the grant information detailed in the Program Guidelines below carefully. Click on each headline to reveal the detail.

The Rebuilding Futures program seeks to support communities to strengthen their resilience through long-term recovery from a significant disaster by undertaking community-identified and community-led recovery, prevention and preparedness activities for public benefit.

This grant round reflects a strengthened focus on supporting communities to be prepared and resilient as extreme weather disaster events increase in frequency. The round is open to remote, rural and regional communities across Australia who want to deliver projects that will support efforts to mitigate the risks via adaptation of both physical infrastructure and social connectedness and capacity.

Applications are open to all remote, rural and regional communities who have been impacted by disasters or extreme weather events with a government disaster declaration between January 2019 through to December 2024.

In Round 5, a total of $400,000 of funding is available across two grant streams with specific criteria:

Stream 1 – $250,000 is available for Recovery and Resilience Grants up to $20,000.

Funding will support applications that are clearly focused on the medium to long-term recovery and resilience building of the local community. A broad range of community led initiatives will be supported to achieve at least one of the following:

  • Assist in the recovery from disaster impact; or
  • Strengthen prevention and preparedness for the future.

AND evidence outcomes of 1 or more of the 7 critical dimensions for building community resilience: Inclusion; Networks; Communication; Information; Self-Organising Systems; Local decision making; and/or Resources.

Stream 2 – $150,000 is available for Building Back Better Infrastructure Preparedness Grants of up to $50,000. Applications for this Stream have now closed.

A small number of grants will support application for local community infrastructure preparedness projects i.e. Community Halls or Meeting Places.

The Expression of Interest (EOI) requires community organisations to outline their projects with an evidence-based concept and estimated costs. Successful EOIs will be required to complete a full application.

EOI’s must address ALL three of the following criteria to be considered:

  1. The project aims to build back better local community infrastructure following a disaster event, accounting for historical and future climate risks;
  2. Infrastructure projects will design, rebuild or install equipment / materials using resilient materials and / or harnessing clever use of design that aims to prepare for and reduce future impacts of disasters; and
  3. Outline of estimated costs including material, labour and expertise informing project plan and delivery of services.

Objective outcomes of Stream 2 projects may include but are not limited to:

  • Increased resilience of community meeting places to existing and future climate impacts;
  • Lower running costs, i.e. insurance;
  • Lower disruption immediately post-disaster and throughout recovery (increased ability to retain social connection); and
  • Lower potential cost re replacement post-disaster and throughout recovery.

Where relevant, all projects should demonstrate:

  • Experience of a disaster impact that informs project design and delivery;
  • Projects suit local community needs, priorities and interests being locally determined, supporting collaboration and building capacity for the future;
  • Recognise First Nations knowledge and strengthen cultural practices to foster healing, connection and care for Country;
  • Have limited ability to attract funds from other donors or Government.

Types of projects supported:

Stream 1 and 2

  • Assist communities to rebuild effectively to prevent and prepare for, respond to, or recover from disasters, weather events or climate impacts (the use of resilient materials and harnessing clever use of design to reduce future impacts of disasters is highly regarded for Stream 1 projects and required for Stream 2).

Stream 1 only

  • Increase the overall wellbeing and mental health of communities; and
  • Build networks or resources so that local communities can share information, increase climate related knowledge and strengthen social connection.

Applicants are welcome to discuss their application with FRRR staff by free calling 1800 170 020, or emailing [email protected].

There are several areas that we can’t fund through this program. If in doubt, please contact us.

  • Projects that are subject to an insurance claim;
  • Projects that support core areas of responsibility of Federal, State, or Local Governments;
  • Ongoing costs such as rent and utilities (unless it directly relates to the project);
  • Projects that should be covered by your current insurance policy;
  • The encouragement or advancement of sport, recreation, and social activities are not considered charitable under Australian law. Applications from sporting organisations need to clearly demonstrate charitable outcomes and benefit to the wider community that are above and beyond the sporting activities of the club;
  • Overseas travel and overseas projects;
  • Prizes, gifts, trophies, or awards;
  • Political lobbying;
  • Projects that primarily benefit private business, a sole trader, or private interests;
  • Applications submitted by or for evangelist groups;
  • Projects solely focused on animal welfare.

To apply, you must meet the following criteria:

  • Applicant organisations must be a not-for-profit organisation with either an Incorporation Certificate and/or an ABN. If you are unsure if your organisation is a registered not-for-profit (for example, if you are a Co-operative, Other Unincorporated Entity, Public Company, or Trust), please contact FRRR.
  • Projects must be for charitable purposes and offer clear public benefit;
  • Not-for-profit organisations with or without DGR-1 endorsement are eligible;
  • Organisations can submit one application per grant round;
  • Projects must benefit remote, rural, or regional Australia; and
  • Projects must take place in an eligible remote, rural or regional community with a disaster declaration from January 2019 – December 2024. FRRR will refer to the Federal Government website, but it will not be the only basis on which an application is assessed and prioritised. If you believe that you are in a remote, rural or regional community disaster-affected between 2019 – 2024 and your region is not listed, please call us on 1800 170 020 to discuss the situation.

Please note, you will be considered ineligible if the:

  • Application is submitted by individuals, sole traders, private, or commercial businesses (as per the submitted ABN);
  • Application is submitted by an organisation that is a non-legal entity and the nominated legal governing / partnering organisation has not provided written confirmation of their willingness to assume responsibility for management of the funds and acquittal of the project;
  • Application is submitted without required organisational financial information and quotes or rationale for budget items over $1,000;
  • Overdue Final Report/s from any FRRR grants awarded in the previous seven years have not been acquitted (delivery organisations should check with the legal organisation to see if there are any outstanding final reports);
  • Application is for a project or activity that has already occurred / is occurring prior to the announcement of funding;
  • Application is incomplete. NOTE: Due to the volume of applications received, applications are assessed based on the documentation received at the time of submission. FRRR is unlikely to follow up on missing documentation after applications have been submitted.
Gather information to support your grant application

Please read the information below to support the planning and preparation of your project. It also sets out what you MUST include for your project to be considered. There are plenty of helpful resources to support you along the way.

Please contact FRRR if you have any questions about the following information.

Your grant application MUST include:

Every application needs to include an organisation that holds either an ABN or Incorporation Certificate. If your organisation doesn’t have that, FRRR may still fund the project but you need another organisation’s support, which we refer to as the ‘legal organisation’ (with your organisation being the delivery organisation). This situation often occurs when the organisation delivering the activity or project is a branch of an overarching organisation – such as a local CWA or YMCA branch. In this case, the CWA or YMCA would be the legal organisation.

Even though your organisation may complete the application (and will be doing the work), it’s the ‘legal organisation’s’ legal and financial information that needs to be provided. They also need to provide a letter of support, confirming they are willing to play this role, with a template available here for your convenience.

FRRR conducts a broad range of due diligence queries when reviewing applications, such as: reviewing current and past incorporation, DGR and ACNC status. If your organisation has happened to have their incorporation status, DGR status or ACNC status changed or ACNC registration revoked or voluntarily withdrawn, please let us know the reasons for this.

Applications from ACNC and/or unincorporated associations are required to submit their organisation’s Constitution.

Why is this important?

This program is only able to distribute funds to not-for-profit organisations with an ABN or Incorporation Certificate, and FRRR needs to know that the organisation with that ABN / Incorporation number understands and agrees to carry out their responsibilities in relation to your project, if successful.

Applications received without the requested financial information are ineligible. Providing incorrect financial information is currently the most common reason why applications are not able to be considered. You must include the organisation’s:

  • Annual income (total income in your financial year);
  • Annual expenditure (total expenses in your financial year);
  • Current assets (from your audited financials, or bank balance minus any debts).

Please note:

  • Provide a brief explanation of any large financial surplus or current assets and reasons why FRRR funds are still required;
  • If financial information is more than 18 months old, please provide an explanation as to why the organisation does not have more recent documents;
  • Please explain any deficits and steps to sustain the organisation financially.

Please contact us if you cannot provide required financials or you are unsure about what to provide.

Why is this important?

FRRR uses this information to understand your organisation’s financial viability and ability to manage grant funds.

You must include a project budget that clearly shows the items that FRRR grant funds would be used for and that also shows all income and expenses related to your project.

Budgets should be realistic and must add up – i.e. total expenditure must match total income.

Applicant contributions in cash or in-kind are highly regarded. Quotes or detailed rationale for items over $1,000 are required, where possible. Note: FRRR suggests costing unskilled volunteer labour at $45 per hour.

For more info on costing volunteer labour, visit:
https://explore.fundingcentre.com.au/help-sheets/valuing-volunteer-labour.

Why is this important?

A clear budget helps FRRR to understand the size of your project, exactly how FRRR funds will be spent and helps demonstrate community support for your project through in-kind contributions either from your organisation or partners / community members.

Helpful resources:

FRRR strongly recommends that you provide supporting materials such as letters of support, evidence of permission from the property owner, community plans, survey results, photographs, media clips and research reports that can show broad community support and partnerships involved in the project. For more information on supporting documentation, watch this recording.

Large documents should be referenced and explained in the application.

Why is this important?

FRRR seeks to fund projects that are well-supported by the broader local community, are locally-led and delivered, show good partnerships and benefit multiple parts of the community. As FRRR is not always familiar with your community, our staff consider support material as evidence toward understanding the level of community need, benefit and support.

Helpful resources:

A clear description of exactly what the grant funds will be used for, when and where the project will happen, who will benefit and who will be involved in delivering the project, why the project and grant funds are needed, how funds will be spent and how the activities and success of the project will be recorded, evaluated and shared.

Where possible, we encourage you to make it really clear that your organisation is ready and able to deliver the project and, if required, provide ongoing support for the initiative.

Why is this important?

FRRR needs to clearly understand your project to assess its merits. Applicants should focus on addressing the what, when, where, who, why and how of the project, as this is the best way to clearly communicate the details of the project.

A ready community is best placed to achieve the aims of your project, so during assessment, our staff look for information that tells us that good leadership, skills and awareness exist in your community to support the project now and in the future.

Helpful resources:

We have grouped the kinds of projects communities commonly ask us to help fund into seven areas, which we call the Activity Tree:

1. Building community resilience
2. Developing organisational resilience and capacity
3. Enhancing environmental sustainability
4. Fostering cultural vibrancy
5. Lifelong learning and education
6. Economic strength
7. Improving community health and social wellbeing

We ask you to nominate one of those seven areas when you apply. So, before you lodge your application, download the Activity Tree to help you identify your focus area.

Why is this important?

FRRR makes grants to communities, but we also need to be able to demonstrate to our funding partners where communities need support.

Need some more help?

We have a large selection of resources on our Grantseeker Resources Page to help you along the way.

Submit your grant application via the Grants Gateway

Round 5 of the Rebuilding Futures program is now closed. Funding will be awarded in late June 2025.

Please contact FRRR if you have questions about any aspect of the Grants Gateway online application form.

Return to an existing application hereLogin

Helpful resources:

It is time to submit your application. If it is helpful, you can download a sample copy of the Stream 1 Application Form and the Stream 2 EOI Form.

Before you submit your application via the online Grants Gateway, please ensure you have:

  • confirmed you are eligible to apply for this grant
  • provided clear information about your project
  • checked that you are an eligible legal entity
  • provided the financial information required
  • created a budget for the project
  • gathered supporting materials
  • spoken to an FRRR contact person where you were unsure of any requirement
  • gathered community support for the project
  • checked the information you are providing to make sure it is clear and relevant to the project

Please read the instructions on how to use the Grants Gateway How-to Guide and have your questions answered with our Grants Gateway FAQs.

If you have significant issues accessing a stable internet connection, please contact our team to discuss an alternative way of applying:
Ph: 1800 170 020 or Email: [email protected]

“When we got the FRRR grant, it took so much pressure off us as a charity – we hadn’t been able to run a fundraising event in nine months, and we couldn’t see a way out of COVID-19. The grant allowed us to continue our plan for our projects and support our flood and fire affected community.”

Erin Denham, Make a Difference Port Macquarie

Inspiration - Past Projects

Changes coming to FRRR’s online granting system

Significant upgrades to the software system that FRRR uses to manage grant applications and acquittals means that FRRR will soon begin moving to the new system.
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Kin Kin set to better withstand the impacts of future disasters

Kin Kin in QLD used a $25,000 Rebuilding Futures grant to furnish and equip an Emergency Response Hub to better withstand the impacts of future disasters.
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