THERE’s a substantial pot of money on the table for good ideas to do great work for the environment in rural and regional Australia.
National Australia Bank’s inaugural round of Sustainable Regions Grants is offering between $100,000 and $1 million for periods up to three years to organisations with great ideas for development and implementation of grassroots community action on environmental challenges.
“It’s important that through these grants we strengthen regional communities by enabling and inspiring sustainable living, which will in turn enhance the natural environment and support businesses working off the land,” said NAB’s head of government, education and community specialised banking Andrew Loveridge.
The grants are open to fund a range of environmental issues, including agricultural initiatives. That could mean, for example, a project to improve soil quality, native vegetation, water use efficiency and so on.
NAB is particularly keen on initiatives to increase collaboration between environmental groups, business, landholders and governments.
The NAB Foundation Grants are open to Australian charities and social enterprises, including not-for-profit and for-profit organisations.
“We know that a good idea can come from anywhere. These days many for-profit social enterprises innovate in the space traditionally occupied by philanthropy, addressing societal problems in new and unique ways,” Mr Loveridge said.
Two types of grants are available.
Seed Grants will help organisations get an initiative off the ground with funding to pilot ideas, or to provide fund operations or capacity.
Thrive Grants fund organisations to step up in scale or reach scale, and to collaborate with others to increase their impact.
For more information about eligibility and how to apply, visit www.nab.com.au/nabfoundation