Applications to apply for funding from the Rabo Community Fund in 2025 have opened to rural and regional community organisations and initiatives making a meaningful contribution to ‘the bush’.
Launched by agribusiness bank Rabobank in 2021, the fund has to date invested more than $3 million into initiatives designed to support the vitality and sustainability of rural and regional communities across Australia.
To be considered, eligible applicants must have an initiative that aligns with addressing one of the six key themes. The organisations applying must be Australian based with an Australian Business Number (ABN), and the minimum investment amount per initiative is $5,000.
Rabobank regional manager for Australia and New Zealand, Mark Wiessing said the Rabo Community Fund demonstrated Rabobank’s commitment to a thriving and sustainable rural sector.
“As one of the world's largest cooperative banks, supporting rural communities is ingrained in our global mission,” he said. “Over the past three years, these initiatives have included diverse topics from improving financial literacy, educating careers’ teachers on the diverse and exciting career pathways in agriculture available to students and facilitating events that connect people and promote well-being.”
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Since launching, the fund has successfully partnered with organisations such as George the Farmer, Boys to the Bush and Heart of Australia.
Rabobank head of community and client engagement Glenn Wealands said: “the bank is proud to be able to provide financial support to these organisations that are undertaking important work in rural communities”.
Mr Wealands said to date, the Rabo Community Fund had donated almost 6000 George the Farmer books to preschools and primary schools across Australia.
The Rabo Community Fund has also been providing financial support to Boys to the Bush, an organisation focused on prevention and early intervention strategies for disconnected boys across New South Wales and Victoria.
“Boys to the Bush has impacted over 7000 lives through involvement in camps, mentoring programs, school and education programs, alternative care arrangements and community engagement days,” Mr Wealands said.
The fund’s support allowed the Riverina-based organisation to establish a new “community hub” in Wagga Wagga in late 2023 – offering preventive interventions for males aged between nine and 22.”
Mr Wealands invited rural and regional community organisations and initiatives that fit the application criteria to consider applying for funding from the Rabo Community Fund.
Applications close on Thursday, May 1, 2025. Further information and application forms can be found on the Rabobank website
