The Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR), in partnership with The Snow Foundation, has awarded more than $183,700 in grants to support six projects led by not-for-profit organisations (NFPs) in Batemans Bay, through the Investing in Rural Community Futures (IRCF) program.
IRCF is a place-based program that provides local NFPs and community sector organisations with practical support and funding to be stronger, more resilient, and fulfill their purpose with greater impact. The program encourages collaboration and community-led solutions that seed long-term self-sufficiency for these organisations.
In April 2020, FRRR and The Snow Foundation partnered with the commitment to increase their ongoing support of South Coast communities and to expand the IRCF program into Bateman’s Bay, Nowra and Ulladulla. As part of the program launch, these communities are sharing in nearly $500,000 in Start-Up Grants.
Terry Snow, Founder of The Snow Foundation, said partnering with FRRR is the best way to make the biggest positive impact for the South Coast as they work closely with communities to help them prosper by strengthening charities and not-for-profit organisations.
“The South Coast is my home and it’s important for me to invest in and support our community. We worked hard to help during and after the bushfires and our support is ongoing through the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond—we’re here to help, we’re here to stay.”
Natalie Egleton, CEO of FRRR, said FRRR has is helping local groups in each community to identify areas of common need, so together they are better able to take control of their collective future.
“From speaking with community groups and leaders, we know that the past year has been incredibly tough for the region, and recent flooding hasn’t helped. Many organisations are stretched to their limit. There is a high level of volunteer fatigue, which in turn has a direct impact on support not-for-profits are able to provide to the community. So, it's even more important than ever that community groups get the support they need to make themselves stronger and more sustainable,” Ms Egleton explained.
“We are delighted some of the funding will be used to develop and improve organisational planning and processes, such as the Clyde River & Batemans Bay Historical Society’s Governance training, while other funding will help upgrade equipment and facilities - like Shoalhaven Neighbourhood Services’ customer management system.
“For others, like Shoalhaven Community Preschool in Nowra, and Ulladulla and Districts Community Resources Centre, the Start-Up Grants will go towards providing training and mentoring for staff and volunteers.
“The Start-up Grants will support largely volunteer-run groups to do what they do best and help to make them stronger in the long-run,” said Ms Egleton.
The other Batemans Bay projects funded through these IRCF Start-Up Grants are:
The Family Place received $40,785 to develop a 5-year strategic plan that supports the urgent need to adapt to Telehealth to continue to provide services during COVID-19.
Community Life Batemans Bay received $5,045 to inspire and develop capacity and organisational sustainability by conducting a one-day workshop for directors, staff, and volunteers, with a focus on nurturing individual leadership, good governance, responsibility, and accountability.
Eurobodalla Education and Therapy Services received $37,500 to strengthen organisational succession planning for the team at Muddy Puddles and retain local people and skills by establishing a student placement program for Allied Health workers.
SEARMS Aboriginal Corporation received $40,000 to develop a community engagement plan and new strategic plan to capitalise the Corporation’s partnerships and networks and adjust to changing funding dynamics.
Southcoast Health and Sustainability Alliance received $37,500 to drive widespread and coordinated capacity building across 20+ grassroots NFPs in the Eurobodalla area through the appointment of a project coordinator to support governance, leadership, and communications programs.
A full list of IRCF Start-Up Grants recipients is available on FRRR’s website.
Over the coming six months FRRR staff and facilitators on the ground will work closely with the three communities on the South Coast, supporting them to put their Start-Up Grants projects into action.
FRRR first launched the IRCF program, in partnership with the Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation, in the regional NSW communities of Junee, Leeton and Nambucca Valley. Now in their second year of the five-year program, those communities are sharing a further $557,698 in Ongoing Partnership Grants.
All 37 IRCF grantees will have until December 2021 to implement their projects.
More information is available on FRRR's website - https://www.frrr.org.au/cb_pages/IRCF_Program.php.
Above: Muddy Puddles OT students at community event (Batemans Bay)
About The Snow Foundation
The Snow Foundation is the creation of Terry Snow who established the foundation in 1991 to help provide positive improvement to those experiencing disadvantage in the Canberra region and beyond. Over the past 29 years the family foundation has helped over 700 different organisations and individuals providing over $28 million in funding and other support. To find out more visit http://www.snowfoundation.org.au/.
About FRRR
The Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) was established in 2000 to support the renewal of rural, regional and remote communities in Australia through partnerships with the private sector, philanthropy and governments. Since inception, FRRR has managed the distribution of more than $115 million in grants and provided substantial capacity building support to community organisations across the nation. To find out more about FRRR, visit www.frrr.org.au.
