Scholarships and coaching for Community Foundations

FRRR has been a long-time advocate for and supporter of the Community Foundation movement. We have provided grants to groups to explore the feasibility of establishing Community Foundations, and also provided grants to help Foundations get established. FRRR has also provided advice and coaching to many Foundations, and indeed provides ongoing support to the movement as a whole.

Scholarships

Each year, we work with Australian Community Philanthropy to design the annual National Community Foundation Forum. We also provide scholarships to enable directors and executives of Community Foundations to attend the conference. We offer a limited number of partial and full scholarships to assist with travel and registration costs to the National Community Foundation Forum. The Forum is a must-attend event for anyone involved in a Community Foundation or seeking to explore how community philanthropy can aid in rural and regional development.

The program always involves a mix of well-known and highly respected speakers and some practical workshops. Full details of the annual event, including the program, optional activities, details of accommodation and transport, and registration forms, are on the Australian Community Philanthropy site.

Priority for scholarships is given to interstate Community Foundation representatives who have greater travel costs. FRRR’s preference is to support only one representative from a Community Foundation, so more Foundations can have a representative in attendance. FRRR and ACP promote this opportunity each year to all ACP members.  

Coaching and support for Community Foundations

As noted above, FRRR is always keen to help community groups establish local Community Foundations and optimise the way in which they support their community. We do this in a number of ways, from informal conversations, to sharing resources.

Thanks to funding from the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund (VBAF), FRRR has closely supported the Community Foundations that were set up in fire-affected areas following the 2009 Victorian bushfires. This support includes coaching Foundation members to help them get their Foundations established and operating sustainably, so that their vital work can benefit generations to come in these recovering communities.

For more information on this project, contact FRRR’s Disaster Recovery Program Manager or call 1800 070 020.