The Raine & Horne Foundation is effecting positive change across rural and regional Australia with grants from as much as $10,000 for causes such as Remote Writers Development Workshops in Katherine Northern Territory, a dementia friendly community in South Australia and a preschool expansion in regional NSW.

In 2022, Raine & Horne Foundation awarded a generous $100,000 grant to the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal, (FRRR) a non-profit organisation that connects funding from government, business, and philanthropy with the genuine local needs of rural people and places. A significant portion of the total allocation, nearly $68,000, has already been earmarked for a variety of causes, with approximately $18,000 set aside for projects awaiting approval from FRRR.

This funding has been instrumental in 2023 in bolstering FRRR's Strengthening Rural Communities – Prepare and Recover initiative.

Since 2006, FRRR has been dedicated to assisting communities in their recovery efforts following disasters. Throughout this period, FRRR has consistently identified funding shortfalls during the medium to long-term recovery phases. The Prepare & Recover initiative has been specifically developed to address this recurring challenge.

The program offers extensive flexibility, allowing communities to secure funding for initiatives vital to their recovery. These encompass a wide range of possibilities, such as repairing infrastructure, acquiring generators, implementing mental health-oriented programs, facilitating arts-based recovery efforts, conducting environmental remediation, organising festivals to attract tourists, provide training for volunteers, among numerous other possibilities.

Nurturing strong connections in rural Australia

Angus Raine, Executive Chairman of Raine & Horne, emphasised the significance of rural Australia to the company, stating, "To begin with, many Australians have strong connections, both physically and emotionally, to regional and rural communities.

“Furthermore, more than one-third of our offices are located across regional and rural Australia, while Raine & Horne Rural has emerged as one of the most rapidly expanding brands in the realm of rural real estate.

In this quarter alone, Raine & Horne Rural has established offices in Dungog, Casino, Quirindi and Murundi in regional NSW. Furthermore, the firm is adding two robust offices specialising in rural property sales in Centennial Park and Kojonup, situated in the southwestern region of Western Australia.

Mr Raine continued, “So, the objectives of FRRR’s ‘Strengthening Rural Communities – Prepare and Recover’ program really resonated with us, and I am thrilled to see that the money is contributing to concrete and legitimate causes in regional and rural Australia.

“Whether it involves enhancing support for individuals coping with dementia in the remote town of Port Broughton in South Australia, creating a shaded nature play area for a playgroup in Morawa, Western Australia, or safeguarding Australian history through the backing of a versatile aviation museum hangar at Mareeba Airport in Far North Queensland, it’s so pleasing to see our support is truly adding value and really rebuilding communities.”

To apply for FRRR support visit frrr.org.au/funding/find-funding-now/ or call 1800 170 020.