Media releases: 17 November 2022
Eleven not-for-profits (NFPs) in Junee, Leeton and Nambucca Valley will share in $444,063 in grants. The funding is thanks to FRRR, in partnership with Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation (VFFF), through the Investing in Rural Community Futures (IRCF) program.
IRCF is a five-year program initially designed to support local NFPs in Junee, Leeton and Nambucca Valley. The goal is to support and build the capacity of locally-led organisations, so that they’re better equipped to deliver on their purpose and serve their communities.
As part of the program, FRRR works with community groups and leaders to create a roadmap that will help local organisations to work together towards achieving their goals and filling in the existing gaps within their communities. Program participants are offered a range of supports under the IRCF model, including access to a facilitator, grants, participatory planning processes, skill development, and external resources.
Natalie Egleton, FRRR CEO, said that the IRCF program in Junee, Leeton and Nambucca Valley is now in its fourth year and its success highlights how important it is to have place-based grant programs that focus on specific communities and their needs.
“This program is quite unique in the sense that it has operated over a number of years. This means that we get to go on a journey with these organisations, addressing issues they identify and working towards achieving the goals outlined in the road mapping process on what’s almost a step-by-step basis.
“At this stage of the program, the majority of the local NFPs being funded have previously received a grant through the program and are consolidating their efforts or building capacity to engage in more collaborative projects. The ongoing support and resources provided by this program give these communities consistency and the ability to plan for the long-term, both of which are crucial for creating sustainability and self-sufficiency in the future, once the program comes to a close,” Ms Egleton said.
“In this round, we clearly saw an emphasis on financial sustainability by the local organisations in these three communities. Program participants are working towards revenue diversification, improving financial systems and amplifying their value proposition, all of which are really important considerations for NFPs in remote, rural and regional Australia given the economic uncertainty we’re currently facing,” Ms Egleton said.
The full list of grant recipients and their projects are below:
| Organisation | Project | Location | Grant | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JUNEE PARTNERSHIP GRANTS | ||||||
| Junee Community Centre Inc | Financial Sustainability and Responding to Community Needs Improve sustainability through focused activity to strengthen financial systems, enable land acquisition and scoping towards the development of a Community Hub. | Junee | $33,648 | |||
| Junee Business & Trades Incorporated | Revitalisation Strategy Revitalising Junee Business and Trades Inc through the development of strategic and marketing plans and improved financial management. | Junee | $27,894 | |||
| Cooinda Court Aged Care Ltd | Independent Living Study Boosting financial sustainability and organisational efficiencies through a feasibility study to explore revenue diversification and the consolidation of client information systems including the enhancement of a compatible finance program. | Junee | $19,286 | |||
| Junee Show Society Incorporated | Strategic Planning for Junee Showgrounds Creating a Strategic Plan for the Junee Showgrounds in collaboration with User Groups, to enhance coordination and the venue to be compatible with modern needs. | Junee | $23,491 | |||
| LEETON PARTNERSHIP GRANTS | ||||||
| Leeton Jumpstart | The Transformation of Leeton JumpStart Fund Operationalizing strategy, diversifying revenue, and upskilling volunteers to future proof the Leeton Jumpstart Fund. | Leeton | $38,980 | |||
| Leeton Connect Inc | Grants Support Coordinator and Collaboration Consultant Consolidating strategic objectives and symmetries across the Leeton NFP sector to inform grants support coordination and future partnerships. | Leeton | $56,570 | |||
| Leeton Business Chamber Incorporated | Building Capacity of the Volunteer Base to Ensure Sustainability and Business Continuity Strengthening Leeton Business Chamber through supported coordination of the new Leeton digital hub, volunteer training, governance enhancements and maintaining partnerships. | Leeton | $60,000 | |||
| NAMBUCCA VALLEY PARTNERSHIP GRANTS | ||||||
| Shoretrack Ltd | YP Connect Tech Building connections and understanding between ShoreTrack young people and the NFP sector through collaborative multi-media workshops and work experience opportunities. | Macksville | $45,000 | |||
| Miimi Aboriginal Corporation | The Leadership Growth Project Revitalising Miimi Aboriginal Corporation through additional human resourcing to support wellbeing, cultural leadership, social enterprise development and operationalizing a new strategic plan. | Bowraville | $50,000 | |||
| Mujaay Ganma Foundation Aboriginal Corporation | Mujaay Ganma Nyanggana Embedding succession planning and financial sustainability through building cultural knowledge and skills in youth trainees. | Bowraville | $45,764 | |||
| Bowraville Communication Technology Centre Incorporated | Community Printing Services and Volunteer Support Training Rejuvenating volunteer efforts and service delivery through equipment upgrades and First Aid training. | Bowraville | $12,430 | |||
