The Royal Agricultural Society of NSW Foundation is on the search for motivated members of rural and regional NSW who are looking to improve their community through local projects.
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Funding of up to $25,000 per grant will be available through the Foundation’s Community Futures Grants Program, an initiative that seeks to encourage those in rural areas to play a leadership role in improving their local NSW community.
The Community Futures Grant has gifted over $500,000 to projects across NSW and will commit a further $90,000 in 2017. The majority of funds were raised during the Sydney Royal Easter Show, with a large portion coming from the sold out Ag Bag, the Foundation’s very own Australian produce Showbag.
RAS Foundation Executive Officer Kate Ross said the grant program was previously open only to youth under the age of 35 years; however it is now searching for motivated community members of all ages who wish to contribute to positive outcomes across their communities.
“The RAS Foundation is still focused on promoting and supporting youth. Several grants will be earmarked for young people, however to benefit all communities, we have lifted the age limitation this year,” she said.
“Past projects have taken many different shapes but have always had one thing in common; they help create healthy community connections and have brought people together to plan, volunteer and work with one another. We’ve funded projects to address rural mental health through to ideas that foster community rejuvenation, so the RAS Foundation welcomes all types of applications,” said Ms Ross.
Community Futures Grant submissions will be judged on several criteria including innovation, impact on the broader community and plans for implementation. Applicants must be located in rural or regional NSW and identify an existing local community organisation or group to partner with to deliver their project.
Communities have greatly benefited from the Grant and some excellent projects have been funded, including a mobile agricultural workshop for students in Coonamble, a natural outdoor play space in Gulargambone, a community arts hub and street rejuvenation in Trundle, and construction of a multipurpose community building in Comboyne.
Interested applicants can visit www.rasnsw.com.au/foundation/scholarships-and-grants to find out more about the grant and to complete the online application form.
