Deadline: 04-Dec-2025
The Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) is the only national foundation specifically focused on ensuring the social and economic strength of remote, rural, and regional communities across Australia.
The program’s focus areas include building resilience and strengthening communities, supporting communities to implement generational transition, investing in outback, remote, and less-resourced communities, building capacity and resourcing for a just and equitable energy transition, and supporting First Nations-led initiatives that strengthen culture, country, economic participation, and reconciliation.
FRRR’s Strengthening Rural Communities (SRC) program aims to connect funding with locally prioritised needs through targeted, well-informed investments that empower local leaders and foster vibrant, sustainable, and resilient communities. The program offers small grants of up to $10,000 for grassroots, community-led initiatives that directly and clearly benefit local people, places, and climate solutions, particularly in smaller communities with populations under 15,000. These projects must be completed within 12 months.
In addition, larger leverage grants of up to $50,000 are available for projects that focus on strengthening the digital skills, confidence, and safety of adults. These projects enable individuals to get online, build social connections, and access services, education, and employment opportunities through training and improved digital infrastructure. The delivery timeframe for these projects is up to 18 months.
To be eligible, applicants must be not-for-profit organisations with either an Incorporation Certificate or an ABN. Eligible organisations may include co-operatives, unincorporated entities, public companies, or trusts that meet the not-for-profit criteria. Projects must be for charitable purposes, provide clear public benefit, and directly support communities in remote, rural, or regional Australia. Organisations with or without DGR endorsement are eligible to apply, though only one application per organisation is accepted per round. Applications must align with one of the two available streams—Small and Vital or Prepare and Recover—as submissions to both within the same round will be deemed ineligible.
Through the SRC program, FRRR continues to strengthen Australia’s rural landscape by enabling local innovation, digital empowerment, and equitable growth, ensuring that even the most remote communities can thrive through meaningful, locally led change.
For more information, visit FRRR.