SNAPSHOT: An overview of our 2023 Northern Rivers Grants Program Submissions
With our largest-to-date number of submissions, our heart-led assessment committee were challenged by what felt like an impossible task. Reading the 58 submissions illuminated the great care and service grassroots not-for-profits in this region direct into our community along with reconfirming the level of need that is out there.
SUBMISSIONS OVERVIEW:
* Many of the submissions addressed more than one category and their intended impact was in more than one geographic region.
It is no secret that the Northern Rivers region is still recovering from the 2022 floods and national issues like mental health, wellbeing and effects of the rising cost of living have been magnified in this area due to climate related events, along with global affairs and the changing demographic. Many of the submissions addressed these issues.
Some of the reoccurring themes included:
- The ongoing impact of the 2022 floods
- Community and individual resilience building
- Indigenous well-being and cultural connection
- Initiatives focused on spaces and activities that bring connection and inclusion
- Mental health and wellbeing, with 43% of submissions addressing these areas, reflects the national crisis and how locally, the events of the last few years have compounded these issues.
- Creativity and innovation
- Support and care for new mums
- The rising cost of living, as highlighted in the 2023 Federal Budget, and how this issue is magnified in the Northern Rivers, with this region experiencing the highest level of homelessness in the state (and with women over 55 being the most vulnerable)
- Regeneration and conservation
Thank you to everyone who applied and for the work you do in the community. We’re looking forward to announcing our successful grant recipients mid June.
As we evolve as an organisation, we are looking forward to collaborating with the community to ensure we are being as potent in our work to contribute to enabling a thriving region. If you would like to connect, please don’t hesitate to get in touch: [email protected]
