A total of eight not-for-profit and community groups in SA will share in more than $70,000 awarded by the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal.
The groups located at Balaklava, Cummins, Inman Valley, Kadina, Milang, Mintaro, Victor Harbor and Yorketown will receive funds for intitiaves such as swimming pool upgrades, a disabled riding school and sound upgrades to the Balaklava Town Hall, with a total of about $73,000 allocated to the projects.
The funding is part of a whopping $1.4 million worth of grants through FRRR's flagship strengthening rural communities program.
FRRR received a record 450 applications for this round of SRC funding, requesting more than $4.5m in grants for projects valued at more than $19m.
FRRR place portfolio lead Jill Karena says there is an increasing need for FRRR to fill gaps in areas that may have previously relied on funding from government incentives or programs or support from local businesses.
"The SRC program is flexible and open year-round, meaning it can lean in when government and other agencies lean out," she said.
"This access to continued funding opportunities is especially vital in communities that are moving beyond the immediate threats and response to natural disasters and other shocks.
"This round, we have seen increased applications from the organisers of community events, such as local agricultural shows, as some local governments are reducing their annual funding support.
"We also saw increased funding requests from smaller more remote communities that are a seeking to boost the local economy by developing activities and events to encourage overnight stays from visitors who would otherwise pass through.
"We also noticed an increase in applications from fringe metro areas and inner rural communities, which seems to indicate that they too are facing diminishing funding opportunities."
In addition to the 129 initiatives awarded grants, there were a further 85 funding-ready projects, requesting more than $900,000, that FRRR did not have the funds to support.
This highlights the importance of small grants to remote, rural and regional community groups.
"Given the uncertainty of the current financial landscape, groups have told us that they value having access to timely secured funding to support medium to long term goals, as well as initiatives that respond to present needs and priorities," Ms Karena said.
"These are the projects that create a sense of place and identity, and the people and organisations that make these inspiring projects happen need our support.
"SRC grants provide leverage as they demonstrate to other funders that the projects have value and are supported.
"But to be able to fund more of them, we need to bring in additional collaborative funders, so we invite all those who want to see a thriving remote, rural and regional Australia to join us to support local initiatives."
