Elders has opened applications for grants of up to $20k, for grassroots initiatives that will promote sustainable, focused, and long-term change in rural and regional Australian communities.
Memebers of the Bundaleer Forest Community Areas Association Incorporated, who received a grant in 2025
The Elders Community Giving Project will be in its third year in 2026. In 2025, Elders awarded 17 grants and almost $200,000 to community groups around Australia, to support small-scale community driven initiatives that align to the Project’s pillars, which include:
- Regional Skills and Workforce Development
- Environmental awareness
- Innovation
- Healthy bodies and minds
- Encouraging diversity
- Safety first
Boisdale Consolidated School was a recipient of last year’s Project, receiving funds that provided a major boost to its hands-on agricultural education program. The grant funding has enabled the construction of a purpose-built calf shelter, providing students with a safe and practical environment to learn the fundamentals of animal care and farming.
“Caring for calves gives our students a sense of purpose and belonging and has helped further develop a connectedness to the school,” said parent volunteer, Jenna White.
“The impact has been immediate and profound. “The kids’ faces light up when it’s their turn to feed and care for the calves."
"For some, it’s become their reason to come to school, given them pride and sparked genuine interest in farming.”
CEO Mark Allison said the range and depth of applications received during the 2025 grant program showed how multifaceted and in-demand support for small-scale organisations is in rural and regional Australia.
“Elders has over 3000 employees across rural and regional Australia who are experiencing first-hand the diverse needs of these communities,” said Mr Allison.
“Running this program over the past two years has given us even greater insight into the impact these grants can make in addressing the unique challenges faced by each community, and we are proud of the incremental change that we are making and seeing, from the stories these organisations share with us each year.”