Helping our rural communities thrive

The Rabo Community Fund supports initiatives to help strengthen the vitality and sustainability of rural and regional communities across Australia.

Since its launch in 2021, the fund has invested over $4 million in national and grassroots initiatives that help address key agribusiness and community challenges. These include long-term industry capacity and agricultural education, environmental sustainability, rural/urban connection, natural disaster resilience, rural wellbeing and adaptation/disruption.

Applications for the 2026 Rabo Community Fund are now closed.

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6,260 George the farmer books donated to schools across Australia

5,370 People upskilled through Financial Skills Workshop

730 individuals across rural areas supported through the Succession Information Sessions

465 Health Checks Provided by the Heart Truck Australia

George the Farmer Book Competition

Would your educational institution enjoy a George the Farmer Book Collection Bundle for their library?

This year, the Rabo Community Fund and George the Farmer are celebrating five years of partnership, working together to help educate children about where their food and fibre comes from in a fun and educational way.

To mark this milestone, 100 educational institutions across Australia will each receive a George the Farmer Book Collection Bundle.

APPLY HERE

About the Rabo Community Fund

As a global cooperative founded by farmers, Rabobank has a long history of community engagement and now, thanks to our Rabo Community Fund, we can make an even bigger impact in the communities where our clients live.

With a dedicated pool of funding for grassroots initiatives, the Rabo Community Fund supports meaningful community projects.

From supporting health checks in remote areas to providing agri-educational resources for schools and hosting succession planning and financial skills workshops for over 720 farmers, our impact has been far-reaching. We look forward to building on this impact in 2026.

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Empowering growth through learning

Financial Skills Workshops

More than 5,200 participants have benefited from these complimentary workshops, designed to equip farmers with the tools to grow a modern farm business.

Two programs have been developed. The first introduces key aspects of measuring financial performance, including banking requirements, while the second takes a deeper dive into gross margin analysis and cash flow budgeting.

Community initiatives we’re proud to back

Rural Community Hub Program

Rural community hubs or halls are the heart of local life – bringing people together for events, meetings and celebrations to foster connection, resilience, and a sense of belonging, especially in isolated areas. As trusted spaces, they support everything from emergency response to youth programs, making them vital to community wellbeing.

We are delighted to announce the support of 12 local halls and hubs, with each receiving $10,000 towards improvements. We look forward to sharing their journey and the positive impact in their communities.

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Boys to the Bush

Since 2017, Boys to the Bush has impacted over 7,000 lives across New South Wales and Victoria through involvement in camps, mentoring programs, school and education programs, alternative care arrangements and community engagement days.

We are proud to be a long term partner and support their expansion into new regions.

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Fat Farmers

The Rabo Community Fund is proud to support Fat Farmers, a health initiative that inspires and encourages rural communities to improve their health and wellbeing through physical activity.

With support of the Rabo Community Fund, this inclusive South Australian grassroots initiative has expanded across the border into Victoria and New South Wales and now has over 150 active members.

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Wheen Bee Foundation

The Wheen Bee Foundation is dedicated to raising awareness about the vital role bees play in food security. Through advocacy and research funding, the Foundation addresses the national and global threats to bee populations.

The Rabo Community Fund are proud to support the Foundation’s Centre for Bee Education and Bee Friendly Farming Program to help protect pollination services and build community awareness across Australia.

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George the Farmer

We are proud to be partnering with ‘edu-tainment’ brand George the Farmer for the fourth consecutive year to celebrate Children’s Book Week, to help children learn about the origins of their food and fibre in a fun and engaging way.

To date, more than 6,760 George the Farmer books have been donated to educational institutions across Australia. Congratulations to the 2025 George the Farmer Book Competition winners – see list.

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Heart of Australia

We’re supporting Heart of Australia, a vital and innovative approach to front line specialist medical service delivery.

These ‘custom designed medical clinics on wheels’ travel through rural and remote Queensland providing medical services including blood tests and heart checks for those Australians whose lives are threatened by what can be a vast distance to access medical services.

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Making a Difference in our Communities

“I thoroughly enjoy being involved in the Rabo Client Council, it perfectly fulfills my desire to contribute to our industry and our communities and aligns well with my business delivering on really meaningful initiatives making a difference to the community”

Claire Catford, Grain producer and Rabo Client Council Member

“Until I joined the Rabo Client Council I had no idea of the extent Rabobank supports our communities – regardless of whether you’re a client or not, which I think is amazing.”

Sue Marshall, Cattle and peanut producer and Rabo Client Council member

“As young farmers ourselves, we’re so appreciative of Rabobank for opening these conversations within the community, it’s an asset to our business.”

Annabel Burge, Cotton and grain producer and Rabo Client Council member

“It’s the people and communities that give the bush its unique spirit, there are many people making our region a better place – it’s rewarding to be a part of.”

Sally McGilvray, Beef producer and Rabo Client Council member

“It’s great that Rabobank gives clients an opportunity like this to maintain accountability and a voice of the client. It’s heartening that, as a client, I can be part of conversations that impact the bank, and its communities.”

Stewart Hamilton, Grains producer and Rabo Client Council member

Inverleigh’s Hamilton family, Philippa, Stewart, John, and Hilary

“I don’t know of another organisation that has built teams purely to contribute to the community, and client upskilling.”

Clarke Grogan, Rabobank Rural Manager, Ayr

Claire Catford
Sue Marshall, Cattle and peanut producer and Client Council member
Annabel Burge, cotton and grain producer and Client Council member
Sally McGilvray, beef producer and Client Council member
Stewart Hamilton, grains producer and Client Council member
Clarke Grogan, Rabobank Rural Manager, Ayr

Our Rabo Community Fund supports these key themes

Long-term Industry Capacity and Agricultural Education

With access to quality labour a key challenge across Australia, it is critical that we attract and retain young people in agriculture and support the upskilling of primary producers. We're focused on building the industry's reputation and future workforce through education and development of leadership skills.

Rural Wellbeing

The tyranny of distance compounds the ability to access high quality health and wellbeing services. Our goal is to support health and wellbeing initiatives to enable thriving rural communities.

Rural/Urban Connection

Strengthening the rural-urban connection is key to Australia’s future – linking our farms to our cities drives economic growth, innovation and national resilience. It’s about building a united Australia, where rural and urban communities support each other through shared challenges and opportunities.

Natural Disaster Resilience

Working together we share knowledge and learnings that help to contribute to disaster-resilient communities. We contribute to helping upscale organisations that make a difference to impacted rural communities. And, when needed, support great organisations that help communities rebuild effectively and efficiently.

Environmental Sustainability

Our goal is to contribute to the sustainability conversation with stakeholders across the community. Helping facilitate education and knowledge while sharing sustainability stories about the progress being made in the sector, and the value delivered.

Adaption/Disruption

Proactively we seek to increase the knowledge and understanding of global, industry, and regional change in the agricultural sector. Our goal is to help education on disruptive changes and showcase actions that can make a positive impact.