EMPOWERING different communities in the South Coast is how Terry Snow describes his foundation's latest philanthropic venture.
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The Snow Foundation has just linked up with the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) and the benefits will flow to the Ulladulla, Nowra and Batemans Bay communities.
They have announced a $2.5 million, multi-year partnership that will help boost the confidence, ability and skills of not-for-profit organisations (NFOs) in the Shoalhaven and Eurobodalla regions.
To kick-start the program, each community will receive up to $175,000 in start-up grants.
Mr Snow (AM) said the partnership aims to help communities find solutions to some of the problems they face.
The proposal could be for an important social infrastructure project, as there are numerous possible options.
Several online meetings were recently held so NPOs could gather more information on the program.
The feedback for the proposal, despite being in its early days, has been positive.
"We help where we can. We have got a certain level of expertise in business and marketing and we are able to make a contribution," Snow said.
Mr Snow said it was not up to him to decide what the community did with the money.
"The idea of it is for people to step forward," he said.
He is sure the program is needed, given the recent bushfires and coronavirus pandemic.
Mr Snow added it was hard to know how the various communities were shaping up after such a difficult start to the year.
"After the fires, there would be enormous amounts of emotional, physical and financial devastation," he said.
He mentioned the Conjola area as being one of the communities hit hard by the bushfire and suggested they would be a worthy recipient of funds.
"We'd be very receptive to talking and hearing about what they think," he said.
"It's not a great tap of money that you can't go along and build whole communities.
"However, if we can help people get themselves organised in a way so they can move ahead, then that is what we want to do."
Visit here for more information and applications for start-up grants will close Friday, May 29 2020.
Mr Snow does not expect a pat on the back for his efforts - he does this type of community work because he can.
He thinks supporting South Coast communities is an important thing to do.
Including rural and academic scholarships, the Snow Foundation has supported regional communities many ways in the past.
The foundation's 'family', about every two years, comes together to celebrate and Mr Snow enjoys hearing from all the people they helped.
"I enjoy meeting those people when they come along to our gatherings," he said.
"There are lots of times in this life you think, 'oh, well, I had a bit of a difference there'."
The Snow Foundation also started Snow Medical, which is now part of the fight against coronavirus.
"We've invested $5.5 million into COVID-19 in two research centres," he said.
"The aim is to produce information and statistical analysis. It's not getting the magic elixir or immunisation solution but it all helps."
Snow Medical also supports three medical students and their teams who are undertaking vital research projects
What the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal is about
The Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) was established in 2000 to support the renewal of rural, regional and remote communities in Australia through partnerships with the private sector, philanthropy and governments.
Since inception, FRRR has managed the distribution of more than $100 million in grants and provided substantial capacity-building support to community organisations across the nation. To find out more about FRRR, visit www.frrr.org.au.
More on the Snow Foundation
Snow Foundation has been going for close to 30 years and it was set up by Terry Snow and his brother George.
The Snow brothers were both based in Canberra at the time and they wanted to help the community.
Mr Snow, at that time, did not have a South Coast connection.
George Snow is no longer actively involved in the foundation.
"I have taken it over and it's got assets in excess of $110 million I believe and the income from those assets used to support education and excellence," he said.
He added the foundation has a program aimed at eradicating scabies from Aboriginal communities.
"I believe we're winning on that front. There is research to see whether we can do something about reducing the impact of rheumatic heart disease but there are other things that we do," he said.
The foundation also has men's homes and alcohol rehabilitation programs.
If someone was serious about starting a shelter for homeless men on the South Coast, similar to one the foundation runs Queanbeyan, Mr Snow said they could help.
His other great passion
Mr Snow's other passion, apart from helping people, is his world-class equine centre Willinga Park at Bawley Point.
Even people with no experience with horses can see that Willinga Park is easily the best sporting facility in the South Coast.
Work on the equine facility is ongoing and the 1000-seat dressage arena, which is expected to be completed within four months, is just one of the new works taking place at the park.
From the amazing arenas to the fabulous stables, modern convention centre, veterinary centre and camp-drafting facility - everywhere you look is like eye candy for people that love horses.
Mr Snow hopes his investments pay off but he is not seeking money.
"I want to see if I can have an impact on Australia's equine performance overseas," he said.
"I like to think we can get some gold medals for Australia from this facility.
"We have regular events and we have the best of competitions in Australia down here."
Top facilities mean the sport's elite all want to come to Willinga Park.
"These are four-star facilities and so it means that when you compete here, you compete in front of international judges," he said.
The judges come from Germany, Holland, Sweden, South America, United States, Great Britain and New Zealand.
"They are international standard shows - all from here on the South Coast," he said.
"There's nothing like this anywhere else in the world."
The park has a connection with Queensland equestrian rider Hazel Shannon, who was in line to compete at the postponed Japan Olympics.
"She would have been in the team and I believe she would have won gold," he said.
Mr Snow said local people could also come to the park and compete with the stars.
"I do this [invest in the sport] because I can and now (with the upgrades), I am going to do it better," he said.
Mr Snow said he was lucky to have many good people around him to help with his philanthropic ventures and helping run Willinga Park.