Local philanthropic organisation, Northern Rivers Community Foundation (NRCF) held their Community Grant Giving event last Thursday at Elements of Byron, where $376,385 was distributed locally.
Organisers say the night was also a chance to celebrate the ‘remarkable work of local organisations making a difference across the Northern Rivers‘.
‘This year’s annual Community Grants Round supported 31 community organisations to deliver 33 projects totalling $204,175’.
As for the local impact grants, which are small grants up to $15,000 ‘that support grass roots organisations to strengthen and enhance our regional communities’, 16 grants were awarded, organisers say, totalling $172,210.
Local impact grant winners:
Community Infrastructure Grant Recipients
As for 2025/26 Community Infrastructure Grant Recipients, $204,166 in grant money was awarded, organisers say. The grants are ‘Designed to support organisations to purchase assets and other infrastructure to enable more connected and inclusive regional communities.’
The winners were:
Kyogle Together Incorporated
Nourishing Kyogle’s Freeze-Dry Project – Fresh Ideas for Fighting Waste
This project will install a community-accessible freeze-drying machine to extend the life of rescued and donated food, reducing waste and strengthening local food security. Through free workshops and shared access, Kyogle community will gain practical, sustainable skills to preserve surplus food, cut costs, and transform excess into long-term community resources, enhancing preparedness in natural disasters when logistics and communications are disrupted.
Murwillumbah Community Centre
Fresh Full Circle
Murwillumbah Community Centre will install a solar power system at our Food Hub social enterprise to reduce costs; increase the amount of fresh food we can offer for free or at low cost; reduce food waste and improve the sustainability of the service..
Human Nature Adventure Therapy
Office Equipment
The project involves replacing 11 outdated computers to improve staff efficiency and enable more direct therapeutic support, with the goal of serving 120 young people annually while addressing challenges from natural disasters and overcoming equipment limitations that currently hinder service delivery.
Rainbow Roos AU Inc
Rainbow Roos Community Hub
This grant will be used to install a new astro-turf pitch and provide essential community equipment at a new Lismore venue, creating a safe, inclusive space for over 250 families weekly. This upgrade will expand access to MiniRoos and BabyRoos sessions, community events, and inclusive play opportunities for children of all abilities.
Magpie Centre Indigenous Corporation Limited
Changing Lives for the Better
The “Changing Lives for the Better” project aims to support indigenous youth in Goonellabah by organizing monthly lawn mowing activities, and hosting community BBQs. The project seeks to build community skills and pride, improve local area maintenance, and enhance social-emotional health.
Family Support Network
A Community Kitchen in Lismore
This project will establish a community kitchen in Lismore, designed to serve vulnerable families and support child development. The kitchen will facilitate food preparation, children’s art and craft activities, playgroups, and family support services and will improve community resources, foster social connections, provide nutritious meals, and support early childhood development through targeted family interventions.
Byron Community Centre
Fletcher Street Cottage Kitchen Upgrade: Commercial Stove & Exhaust
Upgrade Fletcher Street Cottage’s kitchen by installing a commercial stove with compliant exhaust canopy and flue. Building on recent refurbishments (electrical upgrade, commercial fridge/freezer, equipment upgrades, cafe furniture), this final kitchen upgrade step will enable safe, large-batch cooking to meet rising demand for meals among people experiencing homelessness and disadvantage in Byron Shire.
Northern Rivers Wildlife Carers
Custom Trailer
Northern Rivers Wildlife Carers handles over 2,000 wildlife rescue calls annually. This project will invest in a custom trailer with an electric winch for wildlife release aviaries. This will significantly improve volunteer safety and operational efficiency. The tiltable trailer will enable easier aviary transportation, reduce manual handling strain, and support soft-release methods for native wildlife across the Northern Rivers region.
Richmond Landcare Inc
Community Outreach Trailer
Richmond Landcare Inc’s community outreach trailer is being repaired to support 40 volunteer and school member groups, with key improvements including canvas cover replacement, rust removal, and interior cleaning. The trailer aims to engage approximately 1,560 people across diverse groups such as young people, First Nations people, older individuals, socially isolated persons, and the LGBTIQ+ community through various events like community markets, agricultural festivals, school programs, tree planting days, and cultural events, with the ultimate goals of recruiting new volunteers and raising environmental awareness.
The Lower Clarence Community Garden Inc
Garden Extension Project Stage 2
This project is about more than just garden beds, it’s about deepening roots, strengthening connections, and cultivating a thriving, resilient community where people grow together. The grant will be used to expand its current garden with 14 new raised beds, which are used by over 150 members.
Katia Project Inc (Byron Bay Herb Nursery)
Gardening Trailer
Grant funds will be used to purchase a new 7×4 poly cage trailer for the nursery gardening team to expand into doing garden cleanups and green waste runs. The expansion of the business will allow a further 2 people with a disability to be employed within the gardening team.
Evans Head RSL Day Club
Motor Running Vacuum Cleaner
For the past 16 years, the Evans Head Day Club has supported elderly community members by helping frail and isolated seniors maintain their dignity and community connection. The grant will be used to cover the transport costs for members and purchase a new vacuum to maintain a clean, welcoming space.
Grafton Community Shed Inc
Safety Upgrade
The Safety Upgrade project aims to enhance a community woodworking workshop by replacing an unsafe table saw and connecting 3-phase power. The initiative seeks to improve workshop safety, increase equipment efficiency, and create an inclusive environment for members, including those with disabilities. By supporting local organisations and providing skill development opportunities, the project will enable diverse community members to engage in woodworking activities more effectively and safely.
Seaside Shelter Inc
Shelter to Strength: Creating Shared Space for Young People
This project will establish a transitional communal living space that provides young people with a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment. The shared space will foster connection, stability, and personal growth, helping youth build the skills and confidence they need for independent living and a positive future.
Ballina Masonic Centre Inc
Upgrade of kitchen facilities to assist existing charitable organisations and food preparation
The Ballina Hot Meal Centre Inc, supported by the Ballina Masonic Centre will upgrade its kitchen facilities to better serve over 300 meals daily to vulnerable populations. The proposed equipment upgrade includes an Eswood ES32 Upright dishwasher, Polar G-series Blast Chiller, Polar C-Series Ice Machine, and Baker Max Double Pizza Deck Oven. The project aims to enhance meal preparation efficiency, improve food safety standards, and accommodate increasing demand due to economic challenges, with Mrs Dawn Sword, the President, authorized to lead the initiative.
Rock Valley Hall
Emergency Ready Rock Valley: Equipping our Hall with a Defibrillator and First Aid Supplies
This project will purchase a defibrillator, and first aid/emergency kit for the Rock Valley Hall.
Tyalgum Community Hall
Purchase of Infrastructure Items
This grant will purchase of a new commercial fridge and air-conditioner. The new fridge will replace the current unreliable and aged fridge and be more appropriate in size to meet hirers, community and Evacuation Centre needs for storage of food for distribution. A new split-system air-conditioner will be purchased and installed in the Hall multipurpose room to address temperature issues thus alleviating community concerns and providing a safe comfortable and healthy space for all users of the room.
Mullumbimby Organic Food Cooperative
Shopfront Facilities
The Mullum Food Cooperative is seeking to upgrade its multifunctional shopfront facilities to double floor space, create cold storage, enhance food processing and education capabilities, and improve disability access. Operating since 2014 with over 50 volunteers and serving 200+ families and up to 1,000 community members, the cooperative aims to support local food resilience and address cost of living challenges. The project seeks funding from the NRCF and Seed Northern Rivers, with total project costs ranging from $5,000 to $25,000, focusing on creating a more versatile, accessible, and efficient community food resource.
Riding for the Disabled Association (NSW) Ballina and District Branch
The Chariot of Dreams
Chariot of Dreams will provide a wheelchair-accessible horse-drawn carriage, with an arena enclosed by safe fencing and comfortable seating to welcome participants and spectators, and a carport to securely store the carriage. This project will give people with disabilities the opportunity to experience freedom, inclusion, and joy through the unique connection of horses and carriage driving.
For more info visit https://nrcf.org.au.
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