Small Grants for Rural Communities Program Opens

Applications for one of the longest-running, national rural grants programs by the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) have opened across Australia.

The 30th round of FRRR’s Small Grants for Rural Communities program is offering more than $300,000 with the support of co-funding from The Bertalli Family Foundation, Berrembed Trust, The Pratt Foundation, The RE Ross Trust, The Sylvia and Charles Viertel Charitable Foundation managed by Equity Trustees, The Yulgilbar Foundation, The William Buckland Foundation managed by Equity Trustees, Friends of FRRR and other private donors.

The 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 then the organisation has distributed more than $66 million in grants.

FRRR’s national programs manager Jeanice Henderson said the program’s success is in its broad application criteria.

“The program was created to connect regional, rural and remote communities with funding to enable them to implement projects and activities that offer a clear public benefit. Grants of up to $5,000 are available to small rural, regional and remote Not for Profit groups. Priority will be given to communities of 10,000 or fewer,” Henderson said.

“What makes the Small Grants for Rural Communities program so effective is that it gives communities the flexibility to apply for funds that contribute to the specific needs in their area. Supporting locally driven solutions to local needs ensures the grants will make a real difference to the success of rural, regional and remote communities.

“We see time and again that these small grants provide that extra bit of funding needed to help kick start grassroots projects and activities, but it’s the drive and determination of the community to implement these projects that makes them a real success.”

Some of the examples of how communities have used these grants in the past include:

• helping Cummins youth be their best
• driving equal access to services for Tennant Creek
• kitchen refurbishment for new mining town childcare facility
• Marysville Open Garden Day
• Greta Gathering Place
• Beverley Drugs and Alcohol Workshop.

Download the guidelines and application form on the Small Grants page of FRRR’s website.

Applications close on 7 October 2016.