FRRR awards $1,340,387 in grants to 131 local groups across remote, rural and regional Australia for projects that support COVID-19 recovery, disaster resilience and recovery and small yet vital community needs. 

The grants are awarded through FRRR’s Strengthening Rural Communities (SRC) program, via one of three streams of funding: Small & Vital (S&V), Prepare & Recover (P&R), or the Rebuilding Regional Communities (RRC). 

Jill Karena, Place Portfolio Lead at FRRR, said it is truly inspiring to see the determination and resilience of community groups and local leaders, who continue to front up and strive for a stronger, and sustainable, rural Australia. 

“In this round of SRC grants, we’ve seen a shift in project focus, with a significant increase in initiatives that address the wellbeing and sustainability of community organisations,” she said. 

Collaboratively funded by donors ranging from private individuals to larger foundations, the SRC program supports a diverse range of initiatives across remote, rural and regional Australia. While each of the 131 awarded projects meets a unique local need, all funded initiatives have one thing in common – they each have a clear and direct benefit to the community and to those living locally. 

 “The majority of these grants are for practical, infrastructure-related projects that will enable local groups in rural places to continue to provide vital services, and ensure community spaces are safe, secure and welcoming.”  

Small & Vital 

The S&V stream offers grants up to $10,000 for projects that strengthen community connections and meet local priorities. 

In total, this round sees $380,177 in grants awarded to 48 local groups and NFPs through the S&V stream. 

Three of the 48 projects funded through the S&V stream include: 

• St John Ambulance Australia NT Inc – Wurrumiyanga, NT  
• Nuriootpa War Memorial Swimming Pool Working Group (auspiced by Nuriootpa Futures Association) – Nuriootpa, SA 

• Kilcunda Community Development Association Incorporated – Kilcunda, VIC   

Prepare & Recover 

The P&R stream awards grants up to $25,000 for local preparedness, recovery and resilience-building initiatives. 

In this round, 40 community organisations are sharing $627,307 in grants through the P&R stream. These funds will support rural communities impacted by climate-related disasters including the 2019-20 Black Summer bushfires and the 2021-22 East Coast Australia flooding, plus other storm events. 

Three of the 40 projects funded through the P&R stream include: 

• St Helens Neighbourhood House Association Inc – St Helens, TAS 
• Positive Change for Marine Life Limited – Brunswick Heads, NSW  
• Kalbarri Development Association Incorporated – Kalbarri, WA   

Rebuilding Regional Communities – supporting COVID-19 recovery 

Funded by the Australian Government, the RRC stream supports remote, rural and regional communities as they continue their COVID-19 recovery journey. This round, grants up to $10,000 were on offer, with $332,903 awarded to 43 local organisations, including: 

• MultiSkill Centre Ltd – Cloncurry, QLD  
•  Bellingen Youth Orchestra Incorporated – Bellingen, NSW  
• Warrnambool & District Community Hospice Inc – Warrnambool, VIC  

A full list of grant recipients is available on FRRR’s website. 

The SRC program is collaboratively supported by many generous donors, who are acknowledged on the FRRR website. 

“These grants may be relatively small, but they can make a mighty difference to a rural community! That’s why the focus of our end of year fundraising campaign is on small grants. All donations are gratefully received, no matter how small, as this program is needed more than ever,” added Karena. 

FRRR always accepts applications to this program, which awards funds roughly four times a year. Local NFPs and community groups are encouraged to review the program guidelines and apply. More information about the SRC program is available at www.frrr.org.au/src.