Together, rural communities thrive

Rabo Community Fund

We believe vibrant rural communities don’t just happen – they’re built together. That’s why the Rabo Community Fund supports initiatives that strengthen connections, create opportunity, and help rural communities thrive.

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Needing funding for your rural initiative?

Applications for the 2026 Rabo Community Fund have now opened. If you have a rural initiative that helps grow thriving rural communities and needs a helping hand, let us know how we can help!

Applications close 3 August.

Submit an application
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About the Rabo Community Fund

Thanks to our co-operative roots, Rabobank has a rich history of community engagement and now, thanks to the Rabo Community Fund, we can make an even bigger impact in the communities where our clients live.

Resourced with a dedicated pool of funding specifically for community-led initiatives, the Rabo Community Fund aims to further contribute to the vibrancy and resilience of rural New Zealand through tangible, meaningful programmes.

Our impact in 2025

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Hosted 32 Rabobank Workshops reaching over 744 farmers and growers.

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Provided support for 46 local and national initiatives that are helping rural communities thrive.

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Over $900,000 of funding commited throughout New Zealand.

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Proudly supported our 20 Community Hub Competition winners who each recieved $5000 funding.

Workshop Series

Planning for Succession Workshops

Planning for the future of your farm can feel complex, but getting started doesn’t have to be. Our Planning for Succession Workshops build your confidence to start and navigate the process,

Take the first step
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Financial Skills Workshops

Build confidence in your farm's finances with Rabobank’s one-day Financial Skills Workshop. Open to all rural businesses across New Zealand.
Take control of your numbers
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Supporting initiatives that grow thriving rural communities

Catchment Communities Aotearoa

Standing as the united voice of catchment communities, pushing for the responsible care of land and water by uniting local efforts, informed by science and community-driven action.

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Agribusiness in Schools

Agribusiness in Schools is a programme tailored for NCEA Level 2 and 3 students, aimed at equipping top-performing learners with the skills and knowledge needed for successful careers in the primary industries

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Garden to Table

Grow Board Game

The Grow game was created to help build knowledge and understanding of food production in New Zealand.

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Grow Board Game

Growing Future Farmers

Growing Future Farmers is a structured two-year educational course which provides graduates with specialised agricultural industry training and development opportunities.

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Growing future farmers

Meet the Need

A programme that enables farmers to donate meat and milk to local food banks to feed those in need with Meat the Need in the middle to make it all happen.

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Meet the Need

Surfing for Farmers

Encouraging farmers to get off-farm and into the surf during summer to recharge and focus on their wellbeing.

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Surfing for Farmers

Our support for rural New Zealand in 2025

Agribusiness in Schools

Ag Pathways Programme

Alfredton Community Hall

Blessed Box 

Catchment Communities Aotearoa 

Community Hub Initiative 

Colville Junction Charitable Trust 

Inspiring Food and Fibre Futures at Donalds Farm

Farm 2 Future Camp

Farmers Wellbeing Cricket Match 

Financial Skills Workshops 

Garden to Table 

George the Farmer

Grassroot Dairy Graduate Trust 

Grow Board Game 

Growing Future Farmers 

Harvesting Health Event 

Hindon Community Hall

Kereru Hall Society 

Lee Stream Board Hall Incorporated 

Lions My Free Health Check

Maniototo Area School 

Meet the Need

Millers Flat Renovation Project

Nelson Creek Community 

Peak Safety Agricultural First Aid Courses 

Piroa Conversation Trust 

Rural Mamas Collective 

Rural Riders

Rural Support Trust 

Safer Farms 

Surfing for Farmers Surfboard Giveaway 

Succession Planning Workshop 

Sports & Healthy Living Lincoln University 

Simpson Park & Sporting Complex 

Surfing for Farmers

Taranaki Environmental Education Trust 

Te Puke Community Garden 

Tawera Community Trust 

Telford Career Advisor Taster Camp 

The Whole Story Comic Book 

Tiaki Maniototo Tunnel House Project

Weber Community Hall

Whanake House Dairy Farm Training Programme

Whangarei A&P Society Farm Intern Programme