Suncorp and FRRR announce $400,000 of community grant funding


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Suncorp and community partner FRRR (Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal) have launched $400,000 of funding grants to support community groups in remote, rural and regional Australia. The grants support help communities to build back better after extreme weather events.

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Suncorp and FRRR announce $400,000 of community grant funding

Community groups and not-for-profit organisations (NFPs) in regions affected by declared disasters or extreme weather events between 2019 and 2024 are invited to apply for funding to reduce the impact of disasters and prepare for future weather events.

Suncorp Chief Executive Consumer Insurance Lisa Harrison said helping communities to build back better after disasters was crucial.

“We are proud to partner with FRRR to provide increased support to communities affected by disasters to recover faster and be better prepared for future extreme weather events,” Ms Harrison said.

Suncorp Chief Executive Consumer Insurance, Lisa Harrison

This funding is aimed at rebuilding essential community infrastructure, such as local meeting places, which are vital for fostering connection and growth within communities.

FRRR’s Disaster Resilience and Recovery Lead Nina O’Brien said many small, grassroots community groups struggled to access funding and expertise for projects aimed at helping their community to prepare or recover, beyond the bricks and mortar.

“People often only see the physical damage from disaster events but it’s important to take a holistic approach to supporting community recovery through a balanced focus on strengthening both built and social infrastructure, which is critical to longer-term community wellbeing," Ms O'Brien said.

“These events take a huge emotional toll on the community. It can really knock people about. 

"Resilient, functional and well-resourced community meeting places are a critical component of the complex community recovery process, and we are incredibly pleased to be working alongside Suncorp to help local community organisations be better prepared for the future."

As extreme weather events increase in frequency and severity, the Rebuilding Futures program has strengthened its focus on supporting communities to be prepared and resilient. This latest round of funding will provide grants across two funding streams for projects that can mitigate risks by adapting physical infrastructure, enhancing social connectedness or building the capacity of NFPs.

(L to R): Rebuilding Futures Round 4 Project: shelter upgrade at the Tin Shed Kitchen, Bloomfield River & the Cape York Folk Club Inc repairing roads for community facility access at the grounds of the Cape York Folk Festival. 

The two funding streams include:

  1. Stream 1 offers grants up to $20,000. This funding is for locally-prioritised recovery or preparedness initiatives that build resilience through equipment or infrastructure, enhance the wellbeing and the mental health of communities; create stronger networks; or develop resources that share information and enhance understanding of disaster risk.
  2. Stream 2 offers grants up to $50,000. This new stream is designed to help small, locally-based organisations to upgrade small-scale community owned infrastructure to better withstand the impacts of future disasters. This can be through improved skills, knowledge, and connection to expertise. This opportunity will provide one-on-one support from FRRR, advice from a resilient building specialist, where required, and financial support to complete the project.

A small number of grants are available for local community places, such as community halls or meeting places, that play a critical role in disaster response and recovery. These grants will be focused on strengthening the ability of the wider community to be resilient to future declared disasters and extreme weather events.

Suncorp Chief Executive Consumer Insurance, Lisa Harrison said: “This critical community infrastructure needs to be built to last, and it’s exciting to see significant advancements in technology and materials for mitigation infrastructure, which will greatly enhance our communities’ resilience to extreme weather.

“We look forward to reviewing the applications submitted during the second stream of the ‘expressions of interest’ process, aimed at building back better.”

#Application Details


Applications are now open for the Rebuilding Futures program. Expressions of interest (EOIs) for the Stream 2 grants (up to $50,000) must be lodged by 25 February 2025. Full applications for both streams close 5pm AEDT, 3 April 2025. Funding will be awarded in June 2025.

  • Grantseeker Webinar

FRRR’s ‘Rebuilding Futures’ Grantseeker Webinar - Tuesday 11 February 12.30pm -1.30pm AEDT. Register on the FRRR website.

Learn more about eligibility criteria and what’s required in the application.


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