As a global cooperative founded by farmers, Rabobank has a long history of community engagement. And now, through our Rabo Community Fund, we can make an even bigger impact in the communities where our clients live. This dedicated fund specifically supports community-led initiatives that enhance the vibrancy and resilience of rural Australia and New Zealand through tangible and meaningful programs.

Funded by an annual contribution from Rabobank Australia and New Zealand and guided by our Rabo Client Councils – groups of Rabobank client members who meet regularly to identify and discuss challenges facing the agricultural sector and their communities – the Rabo Community Fund helps support initiatives that strengthen rural communities and contribute to a sustainable food and agribusiness industry.

Applications for the Rabo Community Fund and Rabo Client Council funding are now open for 2026.

The Rabo Client Councils have identified six key themes for support under the Rabo Community Fund. Applications must align with at least one of the following themes:  

Application Process 

Applications for funding will only be considered if received via this online application form.

For this intake, the key dates are;

Application Criteria

Applications for funding must meet all of the following criteria:

• The initiatives must support the ongoing vitality of the agricultural industry and/or rural and regional communities;
• The initiatives must meet one or more of the six Rabo Client Council themes (as outlined above);
• Applicants must be an Australian organisation or program;
• Organisations must have an Australian Business Number or be a registered charitable organisation, including but not limited to Deductible Gift Recipients (DGRs);
• The initiative must require a minimum funding amount of $5,000 including GST. 

Applications will not be considered for any of the following;

• Programs that do not align to the six Rabo Client Council themes (refer to the six key themes above);
• Business as usual activities, including but not limited to marketing, fundraising activities, commercial sponsorship and/or business development opportunities;
• Ticketed table/per plate ticketed events (including but not limited to galas, balls, breakfasts, luncheons, dinners);
• Individual applicants or personal expenses;
• All Government entities (and associations);
• Retrospective requests, general fundraising appeals or commercial sponsorships;
• Religious or sectarian education (however, programs, including education programs by religion-based organisations that support a non-religious purpose are eligible to apply);
• Political support or political organisations;
• Animal and plant pest control;
• Bequest programs;
• Foundations that are grant-making bodies;
• Sporting (including animal sport) programs/activities.

For any questions, please reach out to the Rabobank Community team via rabocommunity@rabobank.com. Only funding applications received through this online application process will be considered.   

Terms and Conditions

Please read the following terms and conditions before submitting this Application Form to Rabobank Australia Limited (“Rabobank”). All applicants must be eligible and meet the criteria to apply for the Rabo Community Fund and/or Rabo Client Council Fund (“Funding”).

1. Applicants must complete the Application Form, including all required fields. Failure to complete all required fields in the Application Form may mean your Application Form cannot be considered. 
2. Applications for Funding are open to Australian organisations who meet the following conditions:
   1. The initiative must support the ongoing vitality of the agricultural industry and/or rural and regional communities;
   2. The initiative must meet one or more of the six Rabo Client Council themes (please refer to the themes listed below):
      1. Long-term industry capacity and agricultural education; and/or
      2. Environment sustainability; and/or
      3. Rural / urban connection; and/or
      4. Rural wellbeing; and/or
      5. Adaption / disruption; and/or
      6. Natural disaster resilience (community resilience and in response to).
   3. Organisations must have an Australian Business Number (ABN) or be a registered charitable organisation, including but not limited to Deductible Gift Recipients (DGRs);
3. The following applications are out of scope for Funding, and will not be accepted for consideration by Rabobank:
   1. Programs/activities that do not align to the six Rabo Client Council themes recorded at clause 2 above;
   2. Business as usual activities, including but not limited to marketing, fundraising activities, commercial sponsorship and/or business development opportunities;
   3. Ticketed table/per plate ticketed events (including but not limited to galas, balls, breakfasts, luncheons and/or dinners);
   4. Individual applicants or personal expenses;
   5. All Government entities (and associations);
   6. Retrospective requests, general fundraising appeals or commercial sponsorships;
   7. Religious or sectarian education (programs, including education programs by religion-based organisations that support a non-religious purpose are eligible to apply);
   8. Political support or political organisations;
   9. Animal and plant pest control;
   10. Bequest programs;
   11. Foundations that are grant-making bodies; or
   12. Sporting (including animal sport) programs / activities.
4. Rabobank (together with the Rabo Client Councils, as applicable) will determine, at its sole and absolute discretion, whether an application for Funding is approved. 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.
5. All applications for Funding should be received by Rabobank at least 8 weeks prior to when the initiative is to take place or when payment of Funding is required (whichever is the earlier) to ensure adequate time for review and processing. Rabobank is not obliged to consider any applications received within this 8-week timeframe, and cannot guarantee that such applications will be considered.
6. Rabobank may request additional information from an applicant regarding the initiative that the Funding has been applied for. If requested, Rabobank will advise the applicant of specific information required and the timeframe within which the additional information must be received by Rabobank. Should the additional information not be provided to Rabobank within the timeframe required, the application will be declined or assessed exclusive of the additional information.
7. Applicants may on written request from Rabobank, and at Rabobank’s sole discretion, be required to provide Rabobank with a completed Health and Safety Risk Assessment for the initiative that Funding is being requested for. Any Health and Safety Risk Assessment must be completed in accordance with the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth, NSW, Qld, and ACT legislation), Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Act 2011 (NT), Work Health and Safety Act 2012 (Tas, and SA legislation), and Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (Vic), as applicable.
8. Successful applicants will be required to enter into a Sponsorship Agreement, initially provided by Rabobank, outlining the terms and conditions of the Funding and how the Funding will be spent.
9. Applicants must disclose in the Application Form whether any Rabobank board member, employee, Client Council member (or their immediate family) has any interest or involvement in the Applicant’s organisation, or the event, project or activity being held, which the Funding will be used for. 
10. Funding amounts granted by Rabobank will be inclusive of GST.
11. Rabobank is not responsible for applications that are undeliverable due to a fault or delay in any electronic transmission.
12. To the fullest extent permitted by law, Rabobank excludes all liability for any losses or damages, whether direct, indirect, incidental, special or consequential, including any loss of profit, loss of opportunity arising in any way in connection with the application for Funding. Rabobank will not be responsible for any incorrect, inaccurate, or incomplete information communicated in the course of or in connection with the application process if the deficiency is occasioned by any cause outside the reasonable control of Rabobank.

Privacy Notice

1. By providing Rabobank with the personal data associated with this Application form and request for Funding, you understand that Rabobank will collect, use, hold, and disclose the personal data provided to other organisations and persons (including to companies related to Rabobank and Rabo Client Council members) for the purposes of processing and considering the relevant application for Funding. Rabobank therefore requires this personal data to carry out the above purpose. If all the data required is not provided, Rabobank may not be able to consider your Application Form or request for Funding. This personal data will be stored securely and will only be accessible by Rabobank and Rabo Client Council members in Australia.
2. Do not provide to us personal data about other individuals unless they agree to this. If, as part of this application for Funding, you disclose any personal data about other individuals, Rabobank expects you to inform them about this Privacy Notice. You can do so by providing this Privacy Notice to them directly. 
3. Personal data will only be used in accordance with the Rabobank Privacy Policy which can be found at www.rabobank.com.au (Australia), which includes information about individual rights such as access to and/or correction of the personal data which Rabobank holds, and how an individual may make a privacy related complaint.  

This declaration relates to all information in this Application Form received by Rabobank, from you or the organisation you are making the application on behalf of, during the assessment of the application and anytime thereafter.

I hereby declare that: