2026 Rabo Community Hubs Program

Applications open for the Rabobank Rural Community Hub Program on Monday 27 July.

Rural community hubs and halls are the heart of communities – bringing people together for events, meetings and celebrations.

They play an integral role in fostering connection, resilience, and a sense of belonging, particularly in more isolated areas. As trusted spaces, they support everything from community gatherings and local programs to emergency response when needed, making them vital to the fabric of rural communities. 

Following the success of last year's inaugural program, we are delighted to continue our support with a total contribution of $100,000 towards improvements to ten community hubs or halls across rural Australia.

Application Process 

Applications will only be considered if received via this online application form. Key dates are:

Please note: this application is open only to community hubs and halls.

A Community Hub is defined as a building or space that is open and accessible to the local community, such as community halls or community centres, where people come together to connect, participate and support each other through events, programs and shared activities.  

The term "rural Australia" refers to areas outside major cities and urban centres (major cities and urban centres are excluded from this program). 

Applications will not be considered for any of the following:

• individuals or entities outside Australia;
• sporting clubs (unless the grant is specifically designed for broad-based community benefit);
• political or religious organisations;
• applications with incomplete or information that Rabobank reasonably believes is misleading or untrue;
• projects already funded elsewhere;
• retrospective projects. 

Please note: applicants will also be required to provide clear, high-quality photographs of the Community Hub as part of this application. Images should clearly show the exterior of the Community Hub, as well as the current condition of any areas relevant to the proposed project, as these will assist in the assessment process. 

Our Client Council members are tasked with reviewing each application from their region. To ensure key information isn't overlooked, please keep your responses clear, concise and within the word limits. 

Terms and Conditions

The following terms and conditions apply to the Rabobank 2026 Rural Community Hub Program. Please read these terms and conditions before submitting your application to Rabobank Australia Limited (“Rabobank”). All Entrants must be eligible and meet the criteria to apply for the Rabobank Rural Community Hub Program.

1. Information on how to apply and program details form part of these Terms and Conditions. If there is any conflict between these Terms and Conditions and any other published material, these Terms and Conditions shall prevail. 
2. This Program is being promoted and run by Rabobank Australia Limited with its registered address at Level 16, Darling Park Tower, 201 Sussex Street, Sydney NSW 2000, ABN 50 001 621 129 (“Rabobank”).
3. The Program commences at 9:00am on Monday, 27 July 2026 and closes at 23:59 on Sunday, 30 August 2026 (“Application Period”). All times and dates are times and dates in Sydney. 
4. Application to the Program is open during the Application Period for persons (“Applicants”) who are over 18 years of age at the start of the Application Period and groups or not-for-profit organisations seeking funds to positively contribute to their Community Hub. If Applicants are not applying on their own behalf, they warrant they have the necessary approval and authorisation to submit an application and agree to these terms and conditions. 
5. In order to enter the Program, each applicant is to answer the following questions. These answers should all form part of the application to the program using the link 2026 Rabo Community Hub Program during the Program Period. 
   1. Describe how your Community Hub is currently used. Who uses it, and for what purposes? Why is the Hub important to your local community?
   2. Outline the specific upgrades or improvements you are proposing. What issues or needs do these changes address?
   3. Explain how the proposed upgrades will benefit your local community. What positive outcomes do you expect, and who will be impacted?
   4. Detail your group’s anticipated financial contribution toward the proposed upgrades over the next 12 months.
   5. Upload a clear photo(s) showing the exterior of your Community Hub.
   6. Upload a clear photo(s) showing the specific area(s) you plan to upgrade.
6. Please also submit clear and high-quality picture(s) of the exterior of the Community Hub and the current condition of any areas relevant to the proposed project. These pictures may be published on Rabobank’s website and social media channels and the Applicant consents to the use of these pictures submitted.
7. Please note: this application is open only to community hubs and halls. The Community Hub nominated by the Applicant must be based in rural Australia, and is defined as a building or space that is open and accessible to the local community, such as community halls and community centres, where people come together to connect, participate and support each other through events, programs and shared activities. 
8. The following are out of scope and will not be accepted for consideration by Rabobank:
   1. individuals or entities outside Australia;
   2. sporting clubs (unless the Grant is specifically designed for broad-based community benefit);
   3. political or religious organisations;
   4. applicants with incomplete or information that Rabobank reasonably believes is misleading or untrue;
   5. projects already funded elsewhere;
   6. retrospective projects.
9. The term “rural Australia” refers to areas outside major cities and urban centres (major cities and urban centres are excluded from this program). 
10. Whether or not the premises/location referred to in the application is a Community Hub in rural Australia will be determined by Rabobank in its sole discretion.
11. Each Applicant may only nominate a Community Hub once (however an Applicant may nominate more than one Community Hub in separate applications for each Community Hub, so long as they meet the eligibility requirements in Clauses 4 to 7 above).
12. Applications will be judged on the basis of community need and benefit by the relevant Rabobank Client Council who cover the applicants' Community Hub location. Rabobank (together with the Rabo Client Councils, as applicable) will determine, at its sole and absolute discretion, whether an application meets the requirements specified in these Terms and Conditions. If an individual or organisation submits an application and is associated with the relevant Client Council or has an interest in the activity to which the initiative relates, to mitigate any conflict of interest, their application will be considered only after it is endorsed by way of the relevant Client Council reaching a consensus (noting that each Client Council comprises approximately 8 to 12 members). Rabobank's decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into regarding the decision. 
13. On or about Friday, 9 October 2026, the ten successful Applicants will be notified via the email address used to submit their application. The successful Applicants’ Community Hub name and photo may also later be published on Rabobank’s website and social media channels.
14. There are ten (10) grants available, each being $10,000.00 AUD (incl GST) in value. Only one (1) grant will be awarded per Community Hub. 
15. The successful Community Hubs Grant recipient(s) will receive the grant via electronic funds transfer conditional upon the Applicant or the relevant owner (as the case may be) entering into of a sponsorship agreement which will outline how the grant will be spent and any other applicable terms. These applicable terms may require provision of a scope of work/invoice evidencing information provided in an application before the release of funds.
16. The successful Community Hubs grant recipients will agree to provide an update on how the funding has benefited the community within six (6) months of the grant being made.
17. If for any reason beyond the reasonable control of Rabobank, the Program is not capable of being conducted as reasonably anticipated, including due to tampering, unauthorised intervention, fraud or any other causes beyond the control of Rabobank which corrupt or affect the administration security, fairness or integrity or proper conduct of the Program, Rabobank reserves the right, subject to written directions from State Regulatory bodies, in its sole discretion, to suspend, modify, or terminate this Program or disqualify any individual who tampers with the application process.
18. Rabobank shall not be liable for any loss or damage which is suffered (including but not limited to indirect or consequential loss) or for any personal injury suffered or sustained in connection with any grant/s except for any liability, which cannot be excluded by law. Rabobank will not be responsible for any incorrect, inaccurate, or incomplete information communicated by the Applicant in the course of or in connection with this Program if the deficiency is occasioned by any cause outside the reasonable control of Rabobank.
19. Rabobank will use the personal data disclosed for the purposes of running this Program, announcing the successful applicants, distributing grants, and to follow up and assess any feedback about the Program an Applicant has indicated they are happy to share. Rabobank may also disclose personal data to related companies of Rabobank, its Rabo Community Fund and Rabo Client Councils for the same purposes. Personal data will only be used in accordance with the Rabobank Privacy Policy which can be found at https://www.rabobank.com.au/privacy which includes information about how an individual may request access to and/or request correction of the personal data which we hold about them, and how an individual may make a privacy related complaint. Rabobank may be contacted by telephone on 1800 025 484 if an Applicant has questions about Rabobank’s use of personal data.