$400k awarded in regional community grants

THIRTY-ONE local community organisations received more than $400,000 in funding at the Northern Rivers Community Foundation (NRCF) annual grant giving event in Byron Bay late last month.

In addition, the foundation announced its imminent endorsement as a DGR1 Community Charity. The establishment of the new charity category by the Australian Tax Office comes after years of advocacy by NRCF and community foundations across Australia.

NRCF chief executive, Sam Henderson, said the new status would unlock a new chapter for the organisation.

“It will enable us to support a broader range of causes, deliver more rapid disaster response, attract resources for community building initiatives, and importantly, allow direct donation and transfer from DGR2 private and family foundations,” Henderson said.

“This will be a step-change for the region and grow a far greater source of perpetual support for the grassroots groups, charities and not-for-profits that form a vital part of the social fabric of this region we all love.”

The NRCF Community Grants program supports grassroots not-for-profit organisations to address social disadvantage and promote environmental sustainability, supporting projects across a range of areas.

Since its establishment in 2003, it has distributed more than $13 million across 700 projects, supporting communities across all seven local government areas.

Funding this year was distributed across Local Impact Grants, supporting community-led projects that create positive social and environmental change, and Community Infrastructure Grants, enabling organisations to purchase vital equipment and assets.

NRCF also launched two new philanthropic funds.

The Northern Rivers Arts & Culture Fund aims to grow the pie of funding for arts and culture organisations, and the Climate Action Fund will support local, practical climate action and be seed-funded by Community Owned Renewable Energy Mullumbimby (COREM).

Henderson said the grants highlighted the level of need in the region and the extraordinary capacity of local organisations to deliver place-based impact.

“It’s the generosity of our donors and partners that makes this work possible,” he said.

“Evidence-based, community-led grant making is at the heart of what we do, and it’s a privilege to help channel that support directly into the hands of the people creating lasting change across the Northern Rivers.”