ANZ, in collaboration with the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR), has announced the recipients of its 2025 Seeds of Renewal program. This initiative, now in its 23rd year, is focused on supporting sustainable and resilient rural communities across Australia.
A total of $250,000 in grants has been distributed to 19 not-for-profit and community organizations. Each grant, capped at $15,000, will be used for projects addressing housing access, financial wellbeing, environmental sustainability, and community development in regional areas.
“For more than two decades, Seeds of Renewal has supported rural and regional communities to build resilience and create sustainable futures. These grants enable local organisations to turn ideas into action – delivering initiatives that make a tangible difference for people, businesses and the communities they call home,” said ANZ Associate Director, Agribusiness Research, Alanna Barrett.
Jill Karena, FRRR Head of Granting, added: “The Seeds of Renewal program recognises that even a modest grant can unlock significant impact by amplifying the efforts of local volunteers. We prioritise projects that are deeply rooted in their communities: locally designed, locally driven, and with the potential to grow and create vibrant, resilient and sustainable places to live and work.”
Among this year’s funded projects are Yarredi Services’ transformation of an outdoor area at a crisis accommodation centre in Port Lincoln into a therapeutic space for trauma recovery; Lockington and District Bush Nursing Centre’s upgrade of laundry facilities in Victoria; Yallambee Aboriginal Culture & Community Advancement Inc.’s youth ranger program promoting environmental stewardship among Aboriginal youth; Amaris Wildlife Sanctuary’s improvements for wildlife care in Western Australia; Regional Financial Counselling NSW’s workshops aimed at improving financial literacy among young people living with disabilities; Dunn Lewis Youth Development Foundation’s support for youth music skills development; Thamarrurr Youth Indigenous Corporation’s bush medicine workshops fostering economic opportunities; and Community Learning Euroa Inc.’s podcast project addressing social isolation.
Over its history, the ANZ Seeds of Renewal program has provided more than $6 million to around 870 community groups throughout Australia. The program is independently administered by FRRR and targets communities with populations under 15,000.
FRRR was established in 2000 as a national foundation focused on strengthening remote and rural Australian communities. To date it has delivered over $212 million to more than 15,500 projects nationwide through funding partnerships with government agencies, businesses and philanthropic organizations.
The full list of this year’s grant recipients can be found on FRRR's website.