Caring for Ageing Australians - Rural Grants Open

More than $295,000 in grants is available to Not for Profits that support older people living in small rural, regional and remote communities.

The Caring for Ageing Rural Australians (CARA) grants provide assistance to community-based, Not for Profits for projects and programs in Western Australia, Victoria, NSW and Queensland working with older people living in communities of fewer than 10,000 people.

The program will be administered by Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) and is supported by the Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation (VFFF), the Sylvia & Charles Viertel Charitable Trust managed by Equity Trustees, the McCusker Charitable Foundation, The Ian Rollo Currie Estate Foundation and private donors.

FRRR Chief Executive Officer Alexandra Gartmann said that in recognition of the complex and evolving needs of people ageing in rural Australia the program could fund a range of different initiatives.

“The needs in rural communities are diverse, and this program can cater for all aspects of ageing – from supporting programs like health and wellness activities or projects which enable elderly Australians to receive the care they need in their own homes, or funding facilities like nursing homes or respite centres,” Gartmann said.

Grants may range from $100 up to $10,000 and be used to support projects which:

• Help redress disadvantage caused by remoteness;

• Enhance aged care services and facilities;

• Build community capacity for age-friendly communities to confidently engage older people in community through:

  • active living programs  

  • community based recreational, social, and physical activities that support good health and alleviate social isolation

  • community leadership and volunteering opportunities that promote the skills and knowledge of older people

  • intergenerational activities;

• Foster community development by increasing the social and economic participation and lifelong learning opportunities for older people in local communities; or

• Encourage positive ageing, community health and wellbeing, and education programs.

For more information and an application form, visit www.frrr.org.au. Applications close midnight August 15.

Since its inception, FRRR has managed the distribution of more than $45 million in grants and provided substantial capacity building support to community organisations across the nation.