RAS Foundation offers regional community leaders a chance to bring ideas to life with Community Futures Grant Program
The RAS Foundation (RASF) is now accepting applications for its 2024 Community Futures Grant program, offering grants of up to $25,000 to assist regional community leaders and organisations turn dream projects into a reality.
Beginning in 2008, the program asks community-minded individuals to put forward a project idea that services a need within their community, and can provide sustained social or economic benefit, with a clear plan of how the project will be completed.
In 2023, the program delivered over $130,000 worth of funding across seven regional towns, for projects ranging from equipment upgrades to Showground renovations, ensuring regional communities have the facilities needed to support growth and development.
Foundation Manager, Cecilia Logan, says the program provides invaluable support to local projects that are often overlooked when it comes to support packages.
“The RASF Community Futures Grant program was designed to help regional areas bring local projects to life that deliver strong community benefits, while also encouraging, leadership, collaboration and healthy community connections”, Cecilia Logan said.
“We welcome all types of applications, from renovations and upgrades in community spaces, to concepts or ideas that foster mental well-being and community rejuvenation. I encourage those interested to visit our website (rasf.org.au) and have a look at the application process.”
Benefiting from last year’s program was Bombala Exhibition Society, who received a grant to secure better quality and portable horse and yard dog infrastructure for their annual Show.
President of the Organisation, Sophie Campbell, said the annual show had suffered as a result of the black summer bushfires and COVID, and that efforts to grow and develop the Show in the wake of these events were hampered by a lack of suitable infrastructure.
“Horse events and yard dog trials are two of our most popular events, attracting an increasing number of competitors and volunteers each year, but our existing facilities and infrastructure for these events was limited and difficult to maintain,” Sophie Campbell said.
“The money we have received from this grant has allowed us to expand our number of yards and create safer spaces for animals and competitors. We believe this will have a flow-on effect to increase the number of entries and level of competition at the Show, while also increasing collaboration with our local community and developing regional connections”.
The RASF Community Futures Grant Program funding is raised from fundraising efforts at the Sydney Royal Easter Show.
