Strengthening Rural Communities
The Strengthening Rural Communities (SRC) program aims to give the thousands of small remote, rural and regional communities across Australia an opportunity to access funding to support broad community needs.
Three funding streams are available:
- Rebuilding Regional Communities (RRC): two tiers – grants up to $10,000 and grants up to $50,000 to respond to ongoing impacts and recovery from the COVID pandemic;
- Bushfire Recovery: grants up to $25,000 for 2019/20 bushfire recovery; and
- Small & Vital: grants up to $10,000 for broad initiatives that strengthen local people, places, and climate solutions with a preference for smaller communities (populations under 15,000).
Grants are available for a broad range of grassroots, community-led initiatives that directly and clearly benefit local communities. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis and assessed quarterly.
Future rounds
Round 14
Opens: 1 June 2022
Closes: 30 August 2022
Funding announced by December 2022.
Round 13 now open
Applications close 5pm AEST 31 May 2022
Announced September 2022
Previous rounds
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?
Our state-based Grants Officers are your go-to people for any program related queries for the SRC program.
Ph: 1800 170 020 or Email: info@frrr.org.au
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 below carefully. Click on each headline to reveal the detail.
What are the program objectives?
Projects funded must align with one or more of the following charitable outcomes:
Is this grant available in my area?
Yes, SRC is a national program with funding available in remote, rural and regional regions in all States and Territories.
For the Bushfire Recovery Stream, please review the list of LGAs that have been declared fire-affected. FRRR will use this list to inform eligibility, but it will not be the only basis on which an application is assessed and prioritised.
How much funding is available? Are there priority areas?
Rebuilding Regional Communities Stream – Two funding tiers
1. Grants up to $10,000 for communities with fewer than 50,000 people;
2. Grants up to $50,000 (offered twice a year until November 2023) for communities that are classified as remote, rural or regional as defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ Australian Geography Standards.
▪ Projects that enhance the process of recovery of remote, rural and regional communities from the COVID pandemic;
▪ Projects that reduce social isolation and foster stronger, more resilient remote, rural and regional communities; and/or
▪ Projects that sustain local, remote, rural and regional organisations and their work.
Bushfire Recovery Stream
Requests up to $25,000
▪ Projects that support the recovery of rural, regional or remote communities affected by the Sept 2019-April 2020 bushfires;
▪ Projects initiated and delivered by local community groups;
▪ Organisations that do not have DGR status.
Small & Vital Stream
Requests up to $10,000
▪ Communities with fewer than 15,000 people;
▪ Communities outside major cities are eligible;
▪ Projects initiated and delivered by local community groups and not-for-profits;
▪ Organisations that do not have DGR status.
Note: All funding in the Bushfire Recovery stream is targeted to the declared LGAs listed in this document.
What can be funded?
A broad range of charitable projects are considered under this program, including:
Additional specific funding is available for:
What can’t be funded?
There are several areas that we can’t fund through this program. If in doubt, please contact us.
Additional items that are unable to be funded under the Rebuilding Regional Communities stream include:
Is my organisation eligible?
To apply, your organisation must meet the following criteria:
Please note, you will be considered ineligible if the:
If you need to share this information with others, you can download the guidelines above.
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:
Eligible legal entities
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.
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.
Financial information
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 attach the following:
- For organisations that have audited financial reports: Attach the most recent annual audited statements;
- For organisations that do not have an annual financial audit: Attach the most recent 12 months Income and Expenditure Statement. If you have a Balance Sheet, please also submit this;
- For organisations less than one year old: Provide Bank Statements for the period you have been operating.
Please note:
- If financial documents are more than 18 months old, please provide an explanation as to why the organisation does not have more recent documents;
- Bank Statements are only acceptable as financial documentation if your organisation has been operating for less than one year;
- Please explain any deficits and steps to sustain the organisation financially;
- Provide a brief explanation of any large financial surplus or current assets and reasons why FRRR funds are still required;
- Income and Expenditure statements must cover a full 12-month period;
- 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.
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.
Project budget
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 $41.00 per hour.
For more info on costing volunteer labour, visit: https://www.fundingcentre.com.au/help/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:
Supporting materials
FRRR strongly recommends that you provide supporting materials such as letters of support, community plans, survey results, photographs, media clips and research reports that can show broad community support and partnerships involved in the project.
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:
Clear project information
Each application is assessed on its ability to address local priorities and benefit the broader community. 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:
Focus area
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 Grant Seeker Resources Page to help you along the way.
Submit your grant application via the Grants Gateway
Applications for all streams close 5pm AEST, 31 May 2022.
Please contact FRRR if you have questions about any aspect of the Grants Gateway online application form.
Before you submit your application via the online Grants Gateway, please ensure you have:
Helpful resources:
It is time to submit your application. If it is helpful, you can download a copy of the application form.
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: info@frrr.org.au
“Being selected for an FRRR grant was validation of the work of volunteers, and with this came support from our community. The teamwork that resulted in achieving our goal was a reason to be proud, as well as updating our physical assets to improve storage and display capability for the Wycheproof museum. Wycheproof Historical Society appreciates the help received from FRRR and the donor’s generosity to deliver the program – it was a big boost to our volunteers’ morale to receive this grant. Visitors are commenting favourably on their viewing experience at the Museum, and the due care given to exhibits encourages goodwill.”
Maureen McKersie, Record Keeper – Wycheproof & District Historical Society, SRC R1
Inspiration – Past projects
Explore some of the projects we’ve previously funded to see how other organisations have helped their community thrive.
Rebuilding Regional Communities Stream (COVID Support)
Connecting through COVID in Woomelang
Around half of all residents in Woomelang, VIC live by themselves. The Woomelang & District Bush Nursing Centre organised a number of gatherings and lunches to combat isolation that was exacerbated by restrictions during the COVID pandemic – including home deliveries during lockdowns! What a great outcome for Woomelang.
Boosting capacity to support COVID response
Boys to the Bush provides support to disadvantaged youth in Central NSW. They received funding to purchase workshop equipment for applied construction and maintenance projects, which help disadvantaged youth affected by COVID lockdowns connect and learn life skills, as well as earn accreditation towards employment in their community.
Responding to COVID in East Arnhem Land
The Gong-Dal Aboriginal Corporation in East Arnhem Land in the NT used part of their grant to employ experienced facilitators to work with and support a COVID-response group specially formed by Yolŋu leaders to provide intercultural advice to government agencies and other stakeholders and ensure culturally safe and appropriate community engagement.
Bushfire Recovery Stream
Helping little kids with their big feelings
The team at Arthurs Creek Strathewen CFA realised that students at the local primary school were suffering post-traumatic stress after Black Saturday, as parents were reporting their children experiencing high levels of anxiety and panic attacks.
Community wellbeing retreats aid recovery
Jindivick is a rural dairying community in the south-east of Victoria renowned for producing Jindi cheese and local gourmet produce. It is a small community striving to become put itself on the map as a popular tourist destination to strengthen its struggling local economy.
Managing bushfire risk at Dolphin Sands
The Dolphin Sands Ratepayers Association represents the residents and ratepayers of the fragile sand spit bordered by Moulting Lagoon to the north and Nine Mile Beach to the south. They used a grant to clear overgrown areas to reduce fire danger.
Small & Vital Stream
Barista training for youth and disabled peoples in Pemberton
Pemberton is a small community in the South-west region of Western Australia. With an employment shortage in the hospitality industry and limited access to local training for disadvantaged adults, the Pemberton Community Resource Centre (CRC) saw an opportunity to make a real impact.
Looking forward, looking back
at QRRRWN
Queensland Rural, Regional and Remote Women’s Network (QRRRWN) is a member and volunteer based, multi-generational, not-for-profit organisation for women from, or supportive of remote, rural and regional areas, across all sectors and industries.
Small Grant allows National Remote Indigenous Media Festival to get mobile
The National Remote Indigenous Media Festival is First Nations Media Australia’s major industry event celebrating achievements and supporting the training of the remote Indigenous media sector.
Proudly supported by
This program is collaboratively and generously supported by the following donors:
Amanda Toone 
Arcare Family Foundation Arthur Laundy Aussie Farmers Foundation Australia Post Australian Community Media – South Coast is Calling Initiative Australian Government Barker Trailers Baxter Charitable Foundation Bertalli Family Foundation Bowness Family Foundation Brasher Family Foundation Center for Disaster Philanthropy Charter Hall Chefs on the Run Chrysanthemum Foundation Clarity Workplace Solutions David Mactaggart Foundation Doc Ross Family Foundation EnergyAustralia Entertainment Industry Foundation Estate Late Harold Gordon Jones Fire Fight Australia Fund Friends of FRRR GlobalGiving Good Thnx Foundation Grace and Emilio Foundation Herbert Smith Freehills Ian Rollo Currie Estate Foundation IKEA Australia Jeunesse Kids Foundation John T Reid Charitable Trusts Kapikarnpi Community Fund Kellogg Australia Charitable Foundation Kofi Foundation LeMessurier Charitable Trust Macdoch Foundation Maple-Brown Family Foundation McKinsey and Company Melbourne & Olympic Parks Trust Metamorphic Foundation Morgans Foundation Limited Morris Family Foundation Muscle Nation Nelson Alexander Charitable Foundation Olver-Carlyle Charitable Foundation Paul Ramsay Foundation Pepper Australia Percy Baxter Charitable Trust Perpetual Foundation: Julian Flett Endowment Pinnacle Investment Management Ltd Portland House Foundation R.M.Williams Recochem Inc Redbubble REIV Charitable Foundation Scenic World Shared Sidney Myer Fund Stage 5 Australasia P/L Stockland CARE Foundation Suncorp Group Tabcorp Holdings Ltd The Argo Foundation The Baker Foundation The Community Foundation for Central Victoria The Jack Brockhoff Foundation The Laneway Festival The Ross Trust The Sid and Fiona Myer Family Foundation The Sylvia & Charles Viertel Charitable Foundation The Waislitz Family Foundation, in partnership with Australian Community Media The William Buckland Foundation The Yulgilbar Foundation Third Link Investment Managers Thoms Family Endowment – a sub-fund of the AET Foundation Tim Fairfax Family Foundation Vertel Vicinity Centres Westpac Group FRRR and Private Donors.
The Rebuilding Regional Communities stream received grant funding from the Australian Government.
