Our Why:
We believe people are at the centre of communities. These same people have knowledge, skill, insight and imaginations to create beautifully inclusive, rewarding and resilient places to live.
Objectives
- Grow a culture of giving
- Be trusted as a partner in Philanthropy for projects that lift pride in place and grow grass-route community capability & capacity
- Improve connections and co-design within community
- Ensure the Foundation ensures through strong governance and sustainable operations.
Purpose
Our purpose is to strengthen local communities by empowering residents, volunteer and Not-For-Profit groups to create vibrant, resilient, and inclusive places to live. We aim to unlock and share the knowledge, skills, and insights of community members to foster collaboration, pride and shared prosperity. This purpose delivers public benefit by reducing disadvantage, increasing community capacity, promoting volunteerism, supporting place-based initiatives, and facilitating access to resources and education that improve the quality of life across the region.
Activities
- Connection & Engagement: Hosting public meeting (small to 1000+ pax), activation events, and community listening sessions to bring people, service providers, businesses, and philanthropy together.
- Capacity & Capability Building: Offering leadership development, mentoring, and training programs to strengthen local groups and volunteers.
- Collaboration & Networking: Facilitating partnerships between community organizations, service providers, businesses, and government to maximize impact.
- Advocacy & Promotion: Raising awareness of community needs, sharing success stories, and amplifying local voices.
- Grant-making & Philanthropic Support: Distributing funding and supporting community-led projects that improve local outcomes.
- Communication, Awareness & Storytelling: Documenting and sharing community achievements to build pride, inspire participation, and celebrate local succes
Ways you can be involved
- Community Fund – Local Legacy
- Giving Circles
- Partner 4 impact
- Leave a legacy
- Volunteering
- Conversations & Deep Listening
- Build capacity & Mentoring
- Storytelling
Philanthropic Nature
Our organisation demonstrates a philanthropic nature through its not-for-profit status, transparent financial reporting and demonstrated public benefit. We actively encourage a culture of giving, supporting local philanthropy through programs such as giving circles, community funds, and legacy initiatives. We operate with generosity, collaboration, and social contribution at our core, focusing on empowering communities, building local leadership, and facilitating projects that enhance pride, inclusion, and shared prosperity.
Links
- The South Shoalhaven local community website we host: https://communityconnectss.com.au/
Supporters
Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR)
A huge thank you to the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) for the support, encouragement and inspiration that helped us take the step toward establishing our own Community Foundation. Over the past five years, being part of FRRR’s Investing in Rural Communities Futures (IRCF) program has been a truly meaningful and formative journey.
With the announcement of the South Coast Futures (SCF) program, we look forward to continuing this close relationship and benefiting from the place-based capacity-building mentoring FRRR provides so generously.
Community Foundations Australia (CF Aus)
Thank you to Community Foundations Australia for guiding and supporting us through our transition toward becoming a registered Community Foundation with charitable status. Your advice, resources and encouragement have been invaluable.
We are excited about the next phase of our development and look forward to progressing our plans in early 2026.
Business Milton Ulladulla (BMU)
Thank you to Business Milton Ulladulla (BMU) for serving as our auspicing body over the past five years. Your support has provided the stability and governance we needed to grow, learn and take confident steps toward establishing our own Foundation.
We are deeply grateful for your belief in our work and your ongoing commitment to strengthening our community.
