2024/25 Local Impact Grant Recipients
Local impact grants are small grants up to $15,000 that support grass roots organisations to strengthen and enhance our regional communities.
Local Impact major partners are James Frizzelle, Global Giving, The Dunnett Foundation and Northern Rivers Community Foundation donors.
LOCAL CONNECTS TO GLOBAL
The United Nations has adopted 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. The SDGs were set up in 2015 by the United Nations General Assembly and are intended to be achieved by 2030. Each project in our 2023/24 Community Grants round is relevant to the goals as outlined below.
BALLINA HOT MEAL CENTRE
Providing Meals to Those in Need in the Ballina Community
This grant will allow the Ballina Hot Meal Centre to continue delivering their vital service to those in need by contributing to essential costs, including food, takeaway containers, crockery and utensils, and fuel for the volunteers who collect donated food each week.
NORTHERN RIVERS PERFORMING ARTS (NORPA)
The Lismore Language Choir
This project will create a collaborative choir from across the Bundjalung Nation that focuses on learning and performing language songs from various Indigenous clans. The aim is to create a dynamic and inclusive environment where language, culture, and music intersect to foster connection, healing, and pride.
MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT GROUP
Support for People Living with Mental Illness
This project will provide household items, furniture, electrical items and emergency food to people living with mental illness and their families.
AGAPE OUTREACH
Love in Action - Nourish and Thrive
This project will address the food insecurity crisis in the Tweed community, which has been impacted by recent cost of living increases. It will distribute over 200 food vouchers and provide hot meals for a further 500 people.
TWEED COAST YOUTH SERVICE
Empowering Teens and Community
This project will re-engage boys at Kingscliff High School who are at risk of dropping out. It will also address ongoing negative behaviors which impact other pupils, the school community, and the broader community and foster a positive approach to masculinity.
NUMULGI MEMORIAL HALL
Upgrading Numulgi Hall's Water Infrastructure
This project will upgrade the Numulgi Hall’s water infrastructure by installing a new water tank, pump, filtration, and hot water system, and upgrading the plumbing to guarantee a safe and reliable water source for the community.
RIVERTRACKS
Youth Job Experience Training (JET) program
This project will faciltitate 12 weeks work placements with local businesses for young people who are leaving school or unemployed, to develop work skills and self confidence.
BYRON COMMUNITY CENTRE
Elder Beats Rhythm and Dance: Wellbeing Program for Seniors
This project will combat social isolation and enhance the wellbeing of seniors in Byron Shire through offering regular group drumming sessions, vibrant dance classes, and social tea gatherings at the Byron Theatre.
AUSTRALIAN SEABIRD & TURTLE RESCUE
Reducing Energy Footprints in Wildlife Rehabilitation
This project will provide solar panels to improve energy efficiency and reduce operational costs of ASTR’s wildlife rehabilitation facility.
ZEPHYR EDUCATION
Back to School, Back to Normal
This project will support the educational needs of children affected by domestic and family violence throughout the Northern Rivers region. The grant will pay for uniforms, shoes, school bags, textbooks, stationery, laptops, and iPads for educational purposes.
NIMBIN AQUARIUS FOUNDATION
Aquarius Archive Centre
This project will ensure that nationally and internationally important collections from the legacy of Aquarius are secured and protected from loss due to fire, floods, and humidity.
THE LOWER CLARENCE COMMUNITY GARDEN
Community Garden Extension
This project will extend the Lower Clarence Community Garden by an additional 200m2 to cater for increased membership and demand.
WOODENBONG COMMUNITY MENS SHED
New Office Equipment
This grant will be used to set up a functional office for administrative tasks, acquiring a projector and screen to promote health and wellbeing presentations, and purchase equipment to host fundraising events.
GUMMYANEY ABORIGINAL PRESCHOOL
Cultural Resilience through Nature Based Learning
This project aims to enhance the emotional, social, and cultural resilience of Aboriginal children by integrating traditional ecological knowledge, outdoor learning, and intergenerational cultural teachings into early childhood education.
MULLUM SEED
Development of a Northern Rivers Changemakers Hub
This project will conduct a scoping study to understand the challenges faced by social and environmental changemakers in the Northern Rivers. This process will strengthen the network of changemakers, enhancing their impact and, in turn, strengthening our communities and places.
NORTHERN RIVERS WOMENS AND CHILDRENS SERVICES
Nourish Northern Rivers
This project will teach women and children to prepare healthy, low-cost meals with minimal equipment and utilise local services such as community gardens and local food pantries to ease cost of living pressures.