Local women drive grant to empower women and girls

NORTHERN Rivers women have raised $50,000 to support grassroots initiatives aimed at empowering women and girls in the region.

The funds, donated through the Northern Rivers Community Foundation’s (NRCF) Women’s Giving Circle, will be available for new and existing programs tackling inequality and disadvantage.

NRCF chief executive officer Sam Henderson said the need to support women and girls in the region was very real.

“There were over 1,300 domestic violence related assaults reported to police in 2023 and more than 2,300 women in the Northern Rivers sought help from a homelessness service,” Mr Henderson said.

“Local knowledge and solutions are key – together we can pave the way for meaningful change.”

Applications for the 2024/25 Empowering Women and Girls grants round are now open.

Local not-for-profit organisations working with women and girls in any of the seven local government areas of the Northern Rivers – Byron, Ballina, Tweed, Lismore, Kyogle, Richmond Valley, and Clarence Valley – are invited to apply.

The grant aims to provide seed funding for pilot initiatives or to help existing programs pivot, scale, or build an evidence base.

The funds were raised by the NRCF Women’s Giving Circle, a group of women who have pooled their donations to combat local disadvantage.

“We’re really proud that the funds for this grant have come from women in the Northern Rivers who have donated through NRCF’s Women’s Giving Circle,” Mr Henderson said.

“It goes to show that when we come together and give collectively, we can contribute to the wellbeing, safety and empowerment of women and girls across our community with far more impact than if we were giving alone.”

Shortlisted applicants will present their ideas at a “pitch night” on September 12, where members of the Giving Circle will participate in the selection of grant recipients.

Applications close on August 16 at 5pm. For more details, head to nrcf.org.au/grants