Suncorp, in partnership with the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR), has announced $400,000 in funding to support community organisations across regional, rural, and remote Australia.
The initiative aims to assist areas recovering from extreme weather events and to enhance preparedness for future disasters.
Eligible community groups and not-for-profit organisations (NFPs) in disaster-affected regions between 2019 and 2024 can apply for grants to support resilience-building projects. The funding is intended to help communities reduce disaster risks and improve recovery efforts.
Suncorp chief executive consumer insurance Lisa Harrison emphasised the importance of rebuilding in a way that strengthens long-term resilience.
“This funding is aimed at rebuilding essential community infrastructure, such as local meeting places, which are vital for fostering connection and growth within communities,” she said.
FRRR disaster resilience and recovery lead Nina O’Brien noted that smaller, grassroots organisations often struggle to access funding for projects beyond physical rebuilding.
“People often only see the physical damage from disaster events, but it’s important to take a holistic approach to supporting community recovery through a balanced focus on strengthening both built and social infrastructure, which is critical to longer-term community wellbeing,” she said.
She added that disasters have wide-reaching social and emotional impacts, making it essential to invest in spaces that foster community support and resilience.
The Rebuilding Futures program includes two grant streams:
A limited number of grants will also be allocated to community facilities that serve as key locations for disaster response and recovery.
Harrison highlighted the role of long-lasting infrastructure in building disaster resilience.
“This critical community infrastructure needs to be built to last, and it’s exciting to see significant advancements in technology and materials for mitigation infrastructure, which will greatly enhance our communities’ resilience to extreme weather,” she said.
Expressions of interest (EOIs) for Stream 2 grants must be submitted by Feb. 25, while full applications for both funding streams close at 5pm AEDT on April 3. Grants will be awarded in June 2025.
A webinar for prospective applicants will be hosted by FRRR on Feb. 11, providing guidance on the grant process.
This grant program is part of Suncorp’s wider strategy to support disaster resilience. In addition to the partnership with FRRR, Suncorp has also committed to supporting the reintroduction of cultural burning practices through its collaboration with Firesticks Alliance.
Cultural burning, a land management practice led by Indigenous communities, involves controlled, low-intensity fires to reduce vegetation build-up and minimise bushfire risks.
Firesticks Alliance provides training and certification for cultural fire practitioners and works with local communities to integrate these methods into broader land management strategies.
Victor Steffensen, a Tagalaka man and co-founder of Firesticks Alliance, highlighted the importance of restoring this practice to improve environmental sustainability and disaster preparedness.
“Since regular cultural fires have stopped, we've seen a big decline in native flora and fauna, an increase in invasive species, and a devastating threat to human life and property,” he said.
