The Gardiner Foundation has opened two new grant programs aimed at strengthening resilience, connection, and long-term prosperity across Victoria’s dairy regions in Australia.
The Community Collaborative Grants and Community Development Grants programs are now open simultaneously, offering funding opportunities for a wide range of community-led initiatives. The programs are designed to support both small-scale local activities and larger, multi-year collaborative projects that address the evolving needs of dairy communities.
According to Gardiner Foundation representatives, the initiative reflects a commitment to supporting strong, vibrant rural communities that underpin the success of the dairy industry. The funding is intended to help local organisations deliver practical projects that foster connection, build skills, and support regional development.
The Community Collaborative Grants program offers up to $75,000 over three years and focuses on longer-term initiatives that respond to challenges such as climate pressures, workforce changes, demographic shifts, and industry transformation. Funding can be used for training, education, workshops, events, planning, and other community-driven activities.
The 2026 funding round builds on previous successful projects across Victoria’s dairy regions, including farm safety and training programs in the Murray region, agricultural education initiatives in Gippsland, and innovation-focused networks in the South West.
Expressions of interest for the program close at 5 p.m. on July 7, 2026. Applicants are encouraged to submit proposals that demonstrate strong local leadership and collaborative approaches to regional challenges.
The latest grant programs highlight ongoing investment in rural community development and the importance of supporting dairy regions through targeted funding, education, and innovation initiatives.
