Country Education Foundation of Australia (CEF) is excited to announce the return of the local foundation Matched Giving Campaign for 2022.
Thanks to longstanding national partner The Thyne Reid Foundation and other generous supporters, all donations made to CEF local foundations during September and October will be matched dollar for dollar up to a capped amount.
With the new Minister for Education, The Hon. Jason Clare recently saying 90% of all jobs in Australia in five years will require a post-school qualification of some description, the need to support regional students in obtaining education has never been more important.
"The gap in further education participation between regional students and their metropolitan counterparts continues to be an issue. This Matched Giving Campaign is one way rural and regional communities can play our part in bridging that gap," says CEF Chief Executive Officer, Juliet Petersen. "Not only can local people donate and have their financial impact doubled, but this support also demonstrates belief in their regional youth, something we know is just as important, if not more so, to the success of our students."
CEF Griffith grant and Stirling Pastoral National Scholarship recipient Isabella Smith says: "These funds have not only been life changing for myself, but for my family. It truly has made living away from home so much easier, taking pressure both off myself and my family with the significant costs of university. I believe these funds have allowed me to further my study and reach my potential, while not having to worry about everyday life and university costs."
In 2021, the campaign raised $400,637 which was distributed across 44 CEF local foundations in five states and territories. This year, the organisation is hoping for even bigger results with regional students and their families continuing to face the aftermath of COVID-19, drought, bushfires and floods.
"With everything regional students have faced in addition to geographic isolation, we are encouraging people to get involved in the Matched Giving campaign by donating directly to the local foundation of their choice through the CEF website, or by taking part in fundraising initiatives being held in their communities. The matching funds pledge is an amazing opportunity to have double the impact on the lives of regional youth,' says Ms. Petersen.
