The annual Program is funded by the Geoffrey Gardiner Dairy Foundation and is delivered collaboratively by the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) to strengthn communities in three Victorian Dairy Regions: Gippsland, North East and South West.

This is the thirteenth year in which the Gardiner Dairy Foundation and FRRR have worked together to deliver the program, which offers grants of up to $5,000 for projects to improve infrastructure and address local issues to strengthen the small rural communities that underpin Victoria’s dairy industry. A total of $100,000 in grants are available. Not for profit community groups operating in Victorian dairy regions are encouraged to apply.

We strongly encourage applicants to use the Strengthening Small Dairy Communities Toolkit developed by the Gardiner Dairy Foundation and Our Community. This useful resource is full of practical tips, techniques, templates and further sources of information and can be found at (insert link to resource)

Gardiner Dairy Foundation Chairman Mike Taylor AO said “Small grants can be the catalyst enabling community groups to achieve projects of impressive scope, often well beyond the original expectation” adding “We know from past grantees that the assistance enables them to achieve more than they would otherwise.”

Ian Sinclair, Chairman of FRRR, said “Through this unique program, we are proud to support a broad range of projects, from health and educational projects to support for youth, mental health, people with disabilities, the arts, local economic development and the environment. This range of themes comes from the issues identified by local dairy communities, and enable them to implement local solutions to local problems and move forward.”

Bronwyn Rantall from the Timboon and District Kindergarten said securing the funding through the program in 2014 was easier than she expected, saying “This was the first grant application I had ever completed so it was a little nerve wracking! FRRR staff were extremely helpful and supportive however, and we can’t thank the grants program partners enough for their support.”

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