Australia
December 13, 2016
A further 30 not-for-profit and community organisations across cotton growing regions will benefit from a $5,000 boost just before the festive season, as the 2016 Aussie Cotton Farmers Grow Communities grants are awarded again. $450,000 has now been distributed over the last three years across New South Wales and Queensland.
For three consecutive years, cotton farmers have nominated local not-for-profit or community organisations they think deserve one of the 30 grants on offer. Since it was first launched in 2014, the program, offered by the Monsanto Fund in partnership with the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) has benefited over 250,000 people directly and indirectly, by funding a diverse range of community-oriented projects.
“After three years, the true impact of these grants on our recipient communities is becoming more obvious,” Natalie Egleton, Chief Executive of the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) said.
“The nature of the projects funded offer sustained and wide-reaching benefits to the recipient communities,” Ms Egleton said.
“In 2015 alone, 150,000 people benefited from the projects supported by these grants, including over 6,000 farmers and 40,000 low-income individuals. This year, we expect a further 268,000 to benefit as well.
“There is wide evidence to suggest that strong social capital enables communities to better withstand challenges including natural disasters, interruptions to local economies, and climate variables.
“Many of the projects funded through the Aussie Cotton Farmers Grow Communities program - such as the upgrading of local community facilities, health services, education programs, community gardens and improvements to community engagement resources - reinforce this,” Natalie said.
Cotton Australia Chief Executive, Adam Kay, said it was fantastic to see another 30 diverse projects awarded grants, giving cotton growing communities an important boost just prior to Christmas.
“Over the last three years, we’ve seen the impact of these grants on the recipients themselves and their communities. In some cases, the grants have acted as seed funding, enabling organisations to get projects off the ground, or they’ve been the missing piece between a project going ahead or not.
“Going into the festive season, this year’s recipients can be confident they’ll be able to continue their good work into the new year, which is a real boost. We congratulate all of this years’ recipients and look forward to seeing what is accomplished this year,” Adam said.
Monsanto Fund Representative in Australia, Helen Maccan, said it is the cumulative impact of the grants over the last three years that tells the most compelling story about how they’re benefiting the community.
“Education and infrastructure projects have been prioritised by nominating farmers, suggesting that these communities have a great need for funds to support projects that will be enduring in the community.
“What this program has achieved over the last three years is quite remarkable with large populations benefitting. Congratulations to this year’s recipients,” Helen said.
To view the full list of recipients visit www.aussiecottonfarmers.com.au
Conditions for entry
Farmers must be 18 years of age or older and in one of the fourteen Cotton Grower Association (CGA) areas listed in the Program Guidelines.
Organisations working across a range of areas such as social, economic, environmental, health and education are eligible for nomination. Only not‐for‐profit and charitable organisations that offer clear benefits for rural and regional communities and are located in, or servicing, one of the fourteen CGA areas are eligible to receive the grants.
Nominations will be independently assessed by FRRR. For more information please visit www.aussiecottonfarmers.com.au.
About The Monsanto Fund
The Monsanto Fund, the philanthropic arm of the Monsanto Company, is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to strengthening the communities where farmers and Monsanto Company employees live and work (www.monsantofund.org).
About FRRR
FRRR is a not-for-profit organisation that harnesses the power of collective investment between government, business and philanthropy to improve the lives of those living in rural, regional and remote Australia (www.frrr.org.au).
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