BENDIGO-BASED charitable foundation, Foundation for Rural Regional Renewal (FRRR), have been seeking three Victorian communities to partner with in a five-year, place-based program that will strengthen the capacity of local not-for-profit organisations (NFPs) and community groups to undertake vital work in their communities.

Leaders, staff and volunteers of local NFPs and community organisations in Hamilton and surrounds have been invited to learn more at an online Community Information Session in Hamilton on Wednesday, November 27 at 12pm.

Called Investing in Rural Community Futures (IRCF), the program will offer flexible and tailored support to strengthen local organisations to more effectively advocate on shared issues, contribute to a thriving community, and achieve long-term impact across key priority areas.

The program will include the combination of a locally-based Community Facilitator, community-led and informed grants, participatory planning processes, skill-building workshops to support individual and community capacity, local networking across the sector and encourages collaboration on shared objectives.

Access to this support will be free, thanks to FRRR’s partnership with four philanthropic organisations – Helen Macpherson Smith Trust, Jack Brockhoff Foundation, The Ross Trust, and William Buckland Foundation.

Each community will receive a total investment of around $600,000 in grants, as well as capacity building workshops and support.

Information sessions will be held in five rural communities to explain the program, what’s involved in partnering with FRRR as a community and how the process will work.

Details will be provided about the next steps for communities keen to express their interest in being involved over the coming years.

After an EOI process and in-community workshops in the New Year, three communities will be chosen.

IRCF VIC program manager, Jo Kemp said that IRCF recognises the crucial work of local NFPs and community groups.

“The program and activities we undertake are based on the principle that if individual organisations can strengthen their own capacity and sustainability, then collectively the NFP sector will be more effective in contributing to a thriving community.

“I’ve been fortunate to meet with NFPs recently in towns across Victoria.

“I’m always inspired by their passion to make a difference in their community and their willingness to share local insights and aspirations.

“Their resilience and positivity truly shines through.”

Hamilton workshop

Who: Community-based not-for-profit organisations in Hamilton

When: Wednesday, November 27 - 12pm to 1pm (AEDT)

Where: Online, via Zoom. The link will be sent by email to those who have registered.

Representatives from smaller nearby townships connected to the community through services and other means have been welcomed to participate.

Learn more about the outcomes as these communities conclude their five-year partnerships.

For more information about the IRCF program or to register, visit www.frrr.org.au/IRCF-Victoria