Something Big Is Happening in South Shoalhaven
Community Connect South Shoalhaven has launched the Foundation for Community Connection (F4CC), following approval under the Community Charity Guidelines. The new Foundation will bring more funding into the South Shoalhaven community and support collaborative, co-designed responses to local issues.
Matt Dell, Chair of Community Connect South Shoalhaven, said: “We set up the Foundation for Community Connection to continue the work we have started under Community Connect. The Community Foundation will continue to provide the tools, networks, and support that help our volunteers and community thrive. It’s about empowering local groups, fostering collaboration, and enabling residents to shape the future of the South Shoalhaven.”
Community Connect South Shoalhaven has operated as for over 5 years as a sub-committee of Business Milton Ulladulla. As Matt noted: “We are very grateful to BMU for their support and we will continue to work together with the Chamber and business community with activities under the new Community Foundation.”
Built on Five Years of Community Connection
The Foundation builds on the work of Community Connect South Shoalhaven, formed in 2020 after the Currowan bushfires. Since then, Community Connect has brought volunteer groups and local organisations together to collaborate, share knowledge, and strengthen the region’s social fabric.
Monique Carson, Co-Chair, added: “The Foundation is grounded in listening. By understanding where the community needs support most, we can work together to solve problems and make sure local voices guide how resources are used. We hope to attract new funding to the area and work with donors large and small, listening and channelling funds back to local causes and ideas. That’s how we strengthen what matters most in the South Shoalhaven.”
Why Community Foundations Matter
Ian Bird, CEO of Community Foundations Australia, said: “Community foundations are places where people gather, decide, and act together. When the infrastructure aligns with how communities organise and collaborate, civic participation deepens. People are better able to contribute, deliberate, and direct resources toward shared priorities. That is how belonging grows. That is how social capital is strengthened. In the years ahead, these foundations will mobilise local capital, build partnerships, and direct resources to community priorities. That is how resilient and self-determining communities are built.”
Introducing: Foundation for Community Connection (F4CC)
What is a Community Foundation?
Think of it as a funding powerhouse built by the community, for the community — designed to get more money flowing to local projects. Approved as a Charity (ACNC) and Tax Deductible (DGR), F4CC hopes to attract new funding to the area and work with donors large and small, channelling funds back to local causes and ideas.
What does this mean for Community Connect?
Good news — most things will continue unchanged under the new Foundation. Community Connect will continue to work with and for all local community groups and volunteers to support you in your priceless work. And of course, we will still hold workshops, meetings, training and our annual Expo event.
But now we hope to attract more resources, foster more collaboration, and build a stronger South Shoalhaven by supporting the volunteers that support their communities.
Watch this space for more news to come!