The Connected stream sees the TFFF collaborate with the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) to provide one-off project grants strengthening community connectedness. The TFFF recognises the FRRR's expertise in this type of responsive grassroots grantmaking and further resources its capacity to deliver support to Queensland and the Northern Territory.
The TFFF's support is specific to the FRRR's Strengthening Rural Communities (SRC) program, which preferences applications from communities with populations under 15,000 people. Small & Vital grants up to $10,000 are available for a range of community-led projects that strengthen local people, places, and climate solutions. The FRRR receives SRC applications on an ongoing basis which are assessed and announced quarterly, and occasionally awards larger Tailored Grants for time-critical applications.
From the period FY23-25, the Strengthening Rural Communities program and administration received an annual TFFF contribution of $400,000. A further $10,000 was approved for one organisation.
FRRR Small & Vital grants
FRRR Tailored grants
of SRC funding awarded to First Nations organisations and/or projects^
total Connected funding distributed
The figures in the infographics above refer only to funding approved and distributed in the 2024/25 financial year.
Impact North (formerly Enterprise Learning Projects) is an Aboriginal-controlled not-for-profit that empowers remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander entrepreneurs and social enterprises to transform their communities. It serves as a platform for remote enterprise and a collaborative space where First Nations entrepreneurs, communities, and partners work together to build sustainable businesses with lasting impact.
Impact North was supported through an FRRR Tailored Grant to hold an intensive knowledge and learning exchange in East Arnhem Land in October 2024. This three-day program brought together twenty eight First Nations entrepreneurs and leaders, for deep connection and learning on Country: the Gathanmi Indigenous Entrepreneur Business and Knowledge Exchange. The name Gathanmi means 'to give or to share' in Yolลu Matha.
Indigenous businesses across Northern Australia often operate as social enterprises, creating positive change through job creation and economic development in their communities. These enterprises create greater access to skills and knowledge, establish inspiring role models for future generations, and enable community-driven solutions. Gathanmi provided an opportunity for First Nations entrepreneurs to share knowledge, build connections, and strengthen their capacity to lead community-driven change. Attendees participated in a regional business event, undertook workshops, and visited local businesses and regional stakeholders.
The program demonstrated remarkable impact, with 100% of attendees reporting that their minds were opened to new ideas and perspectives, and 80% making valuable business connections.
"Cultural exchange was my highlight. The huge potential for Yolngu in tourism/cultural exchange as business/"social enterprise". Their strength in Yolngu language and willingness to share & teach again - great strength and opportunity for cultural product as social enterprise." โ Gathanmi participant
Video courtesy of Impact North.
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Fostering community-led economic development by strengthening networks and developing business and leadership skills in remote communities with an intensive knowledge and learning exchange in East Arnhem Land from October 2024.
Supporting the social and economic wellbeing of a very remote community through upgrading the local art centreโs septic system, allowing a facility that is a cornerstone of the local economy and community life to reopen.
Supporting cultural vibrancy in a remote location by installing lighting, trusses and safety equipment for the final fit out of the new Balang T.E.Lewis Amphitheatre at The Godinymayin Yijard Rivers Arts and Culture Centre.
Installation of a comprehensive solar system at the only registered childcare centre in Tennant Creek, freeing up organisational resources to respond to local needs and providing an opportunity for community wide leadership and education on sustainable initiatives.
Expanding use of the art gallery with a kitchenette installation to host events for fundraising and connection.
Improving volunteer wellbeing and enhancing community experiences of the local showgrounds by purchasing a ride-on mower to maintain the grounds as an integral community asset.
Supporting the design and manufacture of a merchandise range to strengthen organisational and community economic sustainability.
Supporting students and community groups in a remote location by providing furniture for a senior school study room that will also be used as a community meeting space.
Enhancing local markets, providing barista training for volunteers, and encouraging social connection by establishing a commercial-standard coffee station at a local community hall.
Promoting education and intergenerational engagement in sustainable practices within a very remote community by purchasing equipment for eco-friendly garden beds.
Promoting local economic development and showcasing Indigenous culture by upskilling remote film makers with support to attend professional development workshops.
Equipping a newly established Indigenous art centre with kitchen equipment, tools and resources to provide employment and community services for a very remote community.
Improving local amenity and encouraging tourism by adding additional picnic tables and chairs along a river walk.
Providing marketing and entertainment activities to support the revitalisation of a long-running community event, contributing to improved community engagement and economic activity.
Supporting volunteers to preserve local history and encourage intergenerational engagement by purchasing recording equipment for oral histories and subscriptions for professional cataloguing of historical artefacts.
Enhancing local access to the arts and increasing regional visitation by contributing to the fit out of a new regional gallery.
Fostering community engagement with the arts by installing air conditioning to create a suitable environment for art works and visitors.
Bolstering the ongoing economic viability of community events and reducing the workload of volunteers by purchasing a public address system for the show grounds.
Celebrating local history and boosting visitation in a very remote community by installing signage and steel sculptures depicting 1891 shearers strike.
Supporting organisational sustainability and social connection in a very remote community through opening night entertainment as a drawcard to increase numbers at a long-running community event.
Supporting the promotion of Indigenous languages and the visibility of staff at a very remote visitor centre by designing and purchasing uniforms that feature Indigenous artwork and languages from the Ngukurr region.
Boosting community exposure to the arts by producing an event podcast and supporting livestreaming of panels from the NT Writers Festival to ensure wide community benefit.
Supporting volunteer efforts to revitalise a historically significant building while creating a tourist drawcard and community venue, through the installation of a ceiling.
Supporting cultural wellbeing and connection for students by installing a yarning circle.
Supporting self-determination and sustainability of Indigenous social enterprise by supplying staff uniforms and electrical items for kitchen and laundry fit out.
Strengthening motor skills of early learners in a very remote community by contributing to an outdoor play space.
Supporting community connection and organisational sustainability by providing security and amenities for annual camel races in a remote community.
Engaging isolated community members through the creative arts by co-designing, promoting and facilitating a series of workshops across outlying communities in the region.
Building organisational capacity to benefit the local community by purchasing equipment for milling donated timber, enabling the production of a wider range of items and providing training opportunities.
Strengthening and preserving Warlpiri culture by recording Elders knowledge and stories in digital content that is accessible, engaging and connects with the next generation.
