The Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR), in partnership with The Snow Foundation, has awarded more than $180,700 in grants to support six projects led by not-for-profit organisations (NFPs) in Ulladulla, through the Investing in Rural Community Futures (IRCF) program.

IRCF is a place-based program that provides local NFPs and community sector organisations with practical support and funding to be stronger, more resilient, and fulfill their purpose with greater impact.

The program encourages collaboration and community-led solutions that seed long-term self-sufficiency for these organisations.

The FRRR and The Snow Foundation, in April 2020, partnered with the commitment to increase their ongoing support of South Coast communities and to expand the IRCF program into Bateman's Bay, Nowra and Ulladulla.

As part of the program launch, these communities are sharing in nearly $500,000 in Start-Up Grants.

Terry Snow, Founder of The Snow Foundation, said partnering with FRRR is the best way to make the biggest positive impact for the South Coast as they work closely with communities to help them prosper by strengthening charities and not-for-profit organisations.

"The South Coast is my home and it's important for me to invest in and support our community," Mr Snow said.

"We worked hard to help during and after the bushfires and our support is ongoing through the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond-we're here to help, we're here to stay."

The Ulladulla projects funded through IRCF Start-Up grants include:

Milton Ulladulla Business Chamber received $17,870 to create a community newsletter, website, and database of organisations, events and volunteers that will enable the fragmented community sector of the Ulladulla / Milton area to better communicate, collaborate and support each other.

Independence Ulladulla received $50,000 to enact digital transformation and staff training for supported employment, and an expanded day program for those living with disability.

Milton Promotions Committee received $10,000 for a marketing campaign seeking to encourage visitors and residents to shop local in Milton which will in turn stimulate activity in the local economy and aid economic recovery from the fires and COVID-19.

Treading Lightly received $25,000 to establish a Community Hub to host their regular program of small-scale community building meetings, workshops and activities for the regions affiliated NFPs - these workshops and meetings often have an environmental sustainability and youth outreach focus.

Red Head Villages Association received $31,971 to develop a master plan for the five villages of the Red Head area just north of Ulladulla. The master plan will enhance social cohesion, prepare 'shovel ready' projects and improve future disaster preparedness.

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CEO of FRRR,Natalie Egleton, said FRRR has is helping local groups in each community to identify areas of common need, so together they are better able to take control of their collective future.

"From speaking with community groups and leaders, we know that the past year has been incredibly tough for the region, and recent flooding hasn't helped," she said.

"Many organisations are stretched to their limit.

"There is a high level of volunteer fatigue, which in turn has a direct impact on support not-for-profits are able to provide to the community.

"So, it's even more important than ever that community groups get the support they need to make themselves stronger and more sustainable.

"We are delighted some of the funding will be used to develop and improve organisational planning and processes, such as the Clyde River and Batemans Bay Historical Society's Governance training, while other funding will help upgrade equipment and facilities - like Shoalhaven Neighbourhood Services' customer management system.

"For others, like Shoalhaven Community Preschool in Nowra, and Ulladulla and Districts Community Resources Centre, the Start-Up Grants will go towards providing training and mentoring for staff and volunteers.

"The Start-up Grants will support largely volunteer-run groups to do what they do best and help to make them stronger in the long-run."

FRRR staff and facilitators, over the coming six months, will work closely with the three communities on the South Coast, supporting them to put their Start-Up Grants projects into action.

FRRR first launched the IRCF program, in partnership with the Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation, in the regional NSW communities of Junee, Leeton and Nambucca Valley.

Now in their second year of the five-year program, those communities are sharing a further $557,698 in Ongoing Partnership Grants.

All 37 IRCF grantees will have until December 2021 to implement their projects.