Community groups in the Blue Mountains are invited to apply for grants of up to $10,000 to support outstanding local projects.
Applications are now open for the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal's (FRRR) Strengthening Rural Communities program (SRC) which helps to connect communities with targeted grants for grass roots projects.
Building on the success of FRRR's Small Grants for Rural Communities initiative, the expanded SRC program provides larger grants of up to $10,000 to better support the needs of community groups who are committed to championing change at a local level.
Scenic World has commited $24,000 to the SRC program annually through its philanthropic program, Scenic World Shared, which invests three percent of all profits into valuable partnerships that support the Blue Mountains community and environment.
A total of $11,600 in funding was awarded to Blue Mountains community groups in the latest round of funding, including:
- The Blue Mountains Food Co-Op, which received $4,100 for two programs; the Nourishing Families program and the Edible Garden Trail event.
- The Blue Mountains Artists Network, which received $5,000 to fund a marketing campaign with the Blue Mountains Accommodation and Tourism Association.
- The Blue Mountains Women's Health & Resource Centre, which received $1,500 for a community-based photography exhibition which will showcase the beauty of ageing women.
- The Blackheath Area Neighbourhood Centre, which was awarded $1,000 to fund the Blue Shorts Film Festival in May 2019
Blue Mountains Food Co-Op Marketing and Community Education Officer, Jacqueline Forster, said the funding contributed to the success of the Edible Garden Trail which brought more than 600 gardening enthusiasts together to enjoy local growers' gardens in March.
"The funding helped the Edible Garden Trail spread its inspirational message of home grown sustainability and promote the Blue Mountains region as an eco-tourism destination," she said.
Scenic World Managing Director Anthea Hammon congratulated the successful recipients and invited community groups to apply for SRC grants to support their efforts to strengthen the Blue Mountains community.
"It has been a privilege to work alongside FRRR to support grassroots organisations which have been champions for change in our community, and we look forward to supporting more innovative projects in the future," she said.
FRRR Chief Executive Officer Natalie Egleton added that the Strengthening Rural Communities program would support non-profit groups to have a greater impact within their local community.
"Local leaders know exactly what their community needs and where grant funding will make the most difference, and we're looking forward to some great projects in the Blue Mountains," she said.
Grant applications are now open until June 25, 2019. For more information, visit www.frrr.org.au/SRC_Small_Vital.php or contact the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal on www.frrr.org.au. For more information on Scenic World's philanthropic program, Scenic World Shared, visit www.scenicworldshared.com.au.
