Applications for funding from the Rabo Community Fund for 2026 are now open to rural and regional community organisations and initiatives that are making a significant contribution to supporting country communities.
Launched by agribusiness banking specialist Rabobank in 2021, the fund has to date invested more than $4 million into initiatives designed to support the vitality and sustainability of rural and regional communities across Australia.
The Rabo Community Fund is calling for applications from organisations that aim to develop and implement meaningful national or local grassroots initiatives in their communities.
Funded by an annual contribution from Rabobank Australia and New Zealand and guided by the Rabo Client Councils (comprising more than 50 of the bank's farming clients who are passionate about contributing to their local communities), the fund is focused on helping address key agricultural industry and community challenges. These relate to six key themes – long-term industry capacity and agricultural education, environmental sustainability, rural/urban connection, natural disaster resilience, rural wellbeing and adaptation/disruption.
To be considered, eligible applicants need to ensure their initiative addresses one of the six key themes. The organisation must also be Australian-based, with an Australian Business Number (ABN) and need a minimum investment amount of $5000 per initiative.
Rabobank group executive for Country Banking Australia Marcel van Doremaele said the Rabo Community Fund demonstrated Rabobank's dedication – as a leading bank in Australia's food and agriculture industry – to supporting a vibrant and sustainable rural sector.
"As one of the world's largest cooperative banks, our commitment to supporting rural communities is integral to our global mission," he said. "With guidance from our Rabo Client Council members, the fund invests in a variety of initiatives from rural wellbeing to long-term industry capacity. Over the past three years, these have encompassed a wide range of themes, including enhancing financial literacy, providing access to educational resources in schools, and organising events designed to foster connection and promote well-being."
Since launching, the fund has successfully partnered with a number of organisations and initiatives across the country – including the Advancing Beef Leaders program in Queensland, the Skin Check Truck in NSW and St John Ambulance in WA. It has also supported nationally-focused programs including George the Farmer, Fat Farmers, the Wheen Bee Foundation and Heart of Australia's mobile health service.
Mr van Doremaele said the bank was "proud to contribute to funding the projects and initiatives that truly make a difference in helping to build a more resilient regional Australia".
"And we are also pleased to stand alongside communities during times of challenge – through droughts, fires, and floods – supporting organisations such as BackTrack and BlazeAid, whose expertise and care makes a real difference where it's needed most," he said.
NSW Client Council chair and Gunning-based sheep and cattle producer Lucy Knight said funding provided by the Rabo Community Fund in 2025 had created an opportunity to partner with the Australian Skin Cancer Foundation to bring the Skin Check Truck to rural communities – offering free skin checks and education on skin cancer prevention.
Ms Knight said this initiative is "critical" – with research showing farmers face a melanoma death rate 60 per cent higher than the general population, and local access can help reduce the delays in diagnosis and treatment.
Since its launch, the Skin Check Truck has conducted more than 8,000 checks and identified 33 melanomas – helping save lives in regional Australia.
"With the financial support of the Rabo Community Fund, we have been organising events offering communities access to the service locally, meaning people are not having to drive hundreds of kilometres, significantly reducing delays," Ms Knight said.
"The program reflects the bank's commitment to improving rural health and wellbeing."
Mr van Doremaele invited rural and regional community organisations and initiatives that fit the application criteria to consider applying for funding from the Rabo Community Fund.
