Rabo Community Fund

Supports meaningful initiatives that will have a long-term positive impact on regional and rural communities.

Rabobank are passionate about supporting regional and rural communities.

Do you have a great idea or know an organisation that needs funding?

Rabobank wants to support meaningful community initiatives that boost the vibrancy and resilience of rural Australia.

The Rabo Client Councils are intrinsically linked to Rabobank’s cooperative culture. A Client Council is a group of diverse Rabobank clients who have conversations and meet regularly to identify and discuss challenges facing the agricultural sector and help to develop initiatives that contribute to a sustainable food and agribusiness industry. The Client Councils enable Rabobank to work directly with the community to reach common goals, share information, experiences and knowledge.

The Rabo Client Councils have identified six key themes for support under the Rabo Community Fund. Applications must align with at least one of the following themes:

1. Long-term industry capacity and agriculture education
- Enhancing industry reputation and celebrating success in agriculture
- Attracting and retaining the next generation in agriculture; from schools and universities to the industry
- Upskilling primary producers
- Supporting women in agriculture.

2. Environmental sustainability
- Empowering rural communities with knowledge on key sustainability topics (carbon management, water conservation and soil health)
- Supporting initiatives that foster open dialogue about sustainable practices among community stakeholders
- Sharing positive sustainability stories, progress made and the value delivered.

3. Rural/urban connection
- Advocating for rural and regional Australia and New Zealand by creating and promoting stories of pride and success in the industry across all communities
- Showcasing real world farming, innovation and sustainability
- Educating kids and the broader community on food and fibre production.

4. Rural wellbeing
- Contributing to greater access to and knowledge about regional health and wellbeing services
- Collaborating with successful organisations in this field.

5. Adaption/disruption
- Increasing the knowledge and understanding of global, industry and regional changes in the agricultural sector
- Providing education on disruptive changes and showcasing actions that can lead to positive, profitable change.

6. Natural Disaster Resilience
- Contributing to the sharing of knowledge and learnings to support more disaster resilient rural communities
- Collaborating with existing organisations to scale up their ability to provide effective support.

Supports meaningful initiatives that will have a long-term positive impact on regional and rural communities.

Applications for funding must meet all of the following criteria:
- The initiatives must support of the ongoing vitality of the agricultural industry and/or rural and regional communities
- The initiatives must meet one or more of the six Rabo Client Council themes
- Applicants must be an Australian organisation or program
- Organisations must have an Australian Business Number or be a registered charitable organisation, including but not limited to Deductible Gift Recipients (DGRs)
- The initiative must require a minimum funding amount of $5,000 including GST.