Women’s Giving Circle | Northern Rivers Community Foundation

Give with impact, give locally

Our collective generosity transforms the lives of women and children in the Northern Rivers.

We are a collective of passionate women taking action to tackle local disadvantage. We welcome women connected to the Northern Rivers who want to join our community to create change. Your donation contributes to supporting grassroots change.

DONATE $1000 ANNUALLY

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DONATE $20 WEEKLY

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Empowering Women & Girls Grant

Amy Colli at the 2024 Women's Giving Circle Grant giving event

The NRCF Empowering Women & Girls Grant is an annual program supporting grassroots initiatives in the Northern Rivers that help women and girls overcome inequality and disadvantage. Grants provide seed funding to pilot new programs, expand existing services, or build the evidence needed to grow their impact.

Through the Women’s Giving Circle, members take part in the grantmaking process by voting to decide which projects are funded. This collective approach reflects local priorities and demonstrates the power of giving where you live. Past grants have helped support trauma recovery, reduce isolation, and strengthen cultural identity, and more - making a lasting difference for women and girls in our region.

View the 2026 Empowering Women & Girls Grant recipients.

Our community needs your support

1,349

domestic violence related assaults
were reported to Police in the
Northern Rivers from Jan-Dec 2023.

2,310

women in the Northern Rivers sought assistance from a Specialist
Homelessness Service in 2022-2023.

10,000

people were displaced by floods and 1,800 are still living in temporary housing

How it Works

Our goal is to grow our giving collective of women donating $1,000 over each year, with 50% gifted each year to grassroots women and girls empowerment projects. The remaining 50% of pooled donations grows the Northern Rivers Women’s Fund - which guarantees projects will be supported each year into the future.

Each year, the members of the Women’s Giving Circle come together to hear from and learn about local, grassroots programs being undertaken in the Northern Rivers. Each member has the opportunity to vote on who will receive the pooled funds. You are connected with the leaders and recipients of your philanthropy.

2026 Events

Join our collective giving force - share stories, spark change, and create lasting impact.

We gather regularly for engaging events and conversations - from celebrating the achievements of our grant recipients at the annual Grant Giving Night, to exploring topical issues affecting women and girls in our community with inspiring guest presenters, and ending the year with our much-loved Christmas Garden Celebration.

Our gatherings are open to everyone. If you’re not yet a WGC member but are curious about the connections we foster and the impact we make, we warmly invite you to join us - you’ll be welcomed with open arms and hearts.

UPCOMING EVENTS

NRCF Annual Community Grant Giving Event
Thursday 26 November
Bangalow, NSW

WGC Members Garden Gathering
Thursday 10 December, 2026
Eureka, NSW

Latest News

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2026 Empowering Women & Girls Grant Giving Night

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Member Profile: Julie & Yvarna Glass

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No Small Thing sparks powerful conversations about our future

Our goal

Our goal is to reach 250 members collectively giving to grassroots projects that transform our local community.

CURRENT MEMBERSHIP

Who is NRCF?

Established in 2003, the Northern Rivers Community Foundation is a community-based philanthropic organisation that leads positive change across the Northern Rivers by empowering communities to thrive. We build healthy and resilient communities by supporting local not-for-profit and grassroots organisations who are tackling challenging social and environmental problems.

We connect our wonderful giving community of individuals, families, businesses, private and public foundations to local causes that matter. Through a network of over 350 community organisations, NRCF's evidence-based grant making supports a wide range of community-led projects.

2026-2027 Grant Recipients

The SHIFT Project - SHIFTing Gears
2026 - 2027 Empowering Women & Girls Grant Recipient

SHIFTing Gears will strengthen support for women and children experiencing homelessness across the Northern Rivers. The project will bring a qualified social worker into The SHIFT Project’s residential, outreach and employment programs, giving women more consistent, individual support as they rebuild their lives. Participants will be able to access case management, help navigating housing, health and other services, and group activities that build practical skills and connection. By responding to each woman’s circumstances, the project aims to support greater wellbeing, stable housing and lasting independence for women and their children.

Northern Rivers Community Legal Centre - Workplace Wellbeing Dialogue Circles
2026 - 2027 Empowering Women & Girls Grant Recipient

Workplace Wellbeing Dialogue Circles is a pilot supporting the people who work alongside women and children experiencing domestic and family violence. Four Lismore-based services will train staff members to facilitate regular circles where colleagues can reflect, connect and share responsibility for workplace wellbeing. The approach aims to strengthen peer support and reduce the effects of vicarious trauma and burnout among frontline workers. The Legal Centre will also evaluate the pilot, building an evidence base that could help other community organisations adopt the practice. Supporting workers in this way helps sustain the care they provide to women and families.

Agape Outreach Inc. - Agape Women’s Haven: Safe Housing & New Beginnings
2026 - 2027 Empowering Women & Girls Grant Recipient

Agape Women’s Haven will provide safe, supported accommodation in Banora Point for women and children experiencing homelessness, domestic and family violence, or other crises. The grant will help Agape furnish three family rooms and equip shared living spaces so families have a welcoming place to stay. Alongside accommodation, women will be able to access practical support, case management and counselling, with emergency rental assistance available when needed. By offering stability at a difficult time, the Haven aims to help women and children feel safe, rebuild their wellbeing and take steps towards longer-term housing and independence.

Coolamon Community -Strong Beginnings: Supporting First Nations Mothers Across the Northern Rivers
2026 - 2027 Empowering Women & Girls Grant Recipient

Strong Beginnings will support approximately 48 First Nations mothers and their newborns across the Northern Rivers. Working with trusted Aboriginal Health Services, Coolamon Community will provide culturally grounded packages containing essential items for mothers and babies, including a safe sleep space, bedding, nappies, breastfeeding supplies and children’s books. Midwives and Aboriginal Health Workers will share the packages through existing pregnancy and postnatal care, connecting practical help with familiar, culturally safe support. The project aims to ease pressure on families in the early weeks, help mothers feel supported and give babies a strong start.

Past Recipients

2025 - 2026
Muli Muli
Local Aboriginal Land Council
Nourishing Women, Nurturing Futures

ICOPE
Circle of Friends

Kyogle Family Support Services
Cultivating Calm

Country as Teacher
Muggi Dubay - Strong Women

2024 - 2025
Human Nature Adventure Therapy
EmpowerHer

Haus of Armour
Haus of Armour

Women Up North
Empowering Self Defence

2023 - 2024
The Returning Indigenous Corporation
Postpartum Care Program

Big Scrub Orchestra
Girls Rock!

2022 - 2023
Kyogle Family Support Services
Walking TALL

Northern Rivers Community Gateway
Older Women's Wellbeing Project

Give locally. Give with impact.

Join 100+ like-minded women contributing to the well-being, safety, and empowerment of women and girls across the Northern Rivers.

JOIN NOW

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Connect with us

Connect with the Women’s Giving Circle on Facebook and Instagram

If you would like to learn more about the NRCF Women’s Giving Circle please email Amy Colli,
the NRCF Women's Giving Circle Coordinator on givingcircle@nrcf.org.au.

FAQ

A: Giving as a group of friends or social group can make collective philanthropy more fun and meaningful – and we encourage that!
Under a group membership:

One member of your group collects all the contributions and makes the donation via our web page. The Tax-Deductible Receipt can only be issued in one name.
For Pitch Night, the Group membership has 1 allocated vote.
Of course, every member of your group can purchase a ticket to attend events.

A: No problem. There are other ways to contribute in a way that is comfortable:

Some people feel more comfortable with the $20/week subscription (we call it the 3 coffees approach) or the $85/month subscription.
Alternatively, the Northern Rivers Women’s Fund enables you to make a meaningful contribution to women and girl’s empowerment, at an amount that is comfortable to you. While this means you would not be a 'member' of the Women's Giving Circle, you are still more than welcome to get tickets and come to any of the events.

A: The original intent of the WGC was to create a safe and connected space for women to practice collective philanthropy – democratising the power of giving to local communities. We want to ensure that intent is honoured and respected.

We recognise that women and girl’s empowerment issues need to be worked on by all genders. Our NRCF CEO, Sam, has two young daughters and is passionate about ensuring the Northern Rivers is an equitable and just region for them to grow up in. He donates to the Northern Rivers Women’s Fund to support women and girl’s causes that matter through our community grants round.

2026 Friends of NRCF Women's Giving Circle