Supporting our community

ANZ Seeds of Renewal 2011 - Creating education and employment opportunities to help build thriving communities

Seeds of Renewal is a grants program, supported by ANZ, which aims to contribute to building thriving communities in regional Australia. Since it started in 2003, Seeds of Renewal has provided more than $2.5 million in grants to approximately 568 community projects.

In 2011, the program will provide grants of up to $15,000 to community organisations for projects focused on creating education and employment opportunities. The grants are independently administered by the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) which delivers a number of grant programs across regional Australia.

Who can apply?

Applications have closed for 2011. Applications were open to not-for-profit community based organisations with an ABN or Incorporation Certificate which contribute to the development of education and employment opportunities of communities with a population of 15,000 people or less.

What can be funded?

• Projects which focus on creating education and employment opportunities in local communities. Examples of suitable projects include:
  • Developing and distributing education materials in remote /isolated communities
  • Purchasing IT equipment for community centres for educational purposes
  • Supporting programs that help people to prepare for employment
• Grants will be made in amounts of up to $15,000.

Key dates and application process

• Applications were open from Wednesday 27 July to Friday 23 September 2011
• All applications were reviewed and successful applications finalised throughout October 2011
• Written confirmation will be sent in mid November to successful and unsuccessful applicants
• Grant presentations will be held with the local ANZ Regional Executive/Area Manager from mid November.

ANZ in the Community

Seeds of Renewal demonstrates ANZ’s commitment to making a difference in regional Australia. ANZ employees actively support their local communities through a wide range of activities including volunteering and fundraising. ANZ is also committed to a range of financial literacy and inclusion programs including MoneyBusiness, Saver Plus and Progress Loans. For more information visit www.anz.com/community.

In 2010, Seeds of Renewal funded more than 40 community projects including:

• Financial capability workshops for dairy farmers in the Murray Region
• New computers for the Daylesford Neighbourhood Centre
• Pre-School education kits for the Longreach School of Distance Education (featured below).

Creating educational pathways - Longreach School of Distance QLD

In 2010, the Longreach School of Distance was awarded a Seeds of Renewal grant of $7,000 which enabled the development of educational activity kits for  pre-school children. The kits provide learning guides and educational activities for parents to use at home where there is no local pre-school in the area.

The educational kits have enabled pre-school children to participate in a quality development program to commence their educational journey. The kits continue to be rotated throughout the year to ensure that children have the opportunity to participate in a variety of educational activities.

For more information, contact FRRR on 1800 170 020, www.frrr.org.au or visit your local ANZ Branch or Business Centre.