Mazda Foundation’s Support for Rural Communities and Youth (Australia)

Deadline: 30-Sep-2026

The Mazda Foundation provides grants for projects that address pressing needs in Australian communities, with a particular focus on strengthening primary producer communities facing hardship and creating opportunities for at-risk or disadvantaged young people. Its funding supports community-based initiatives that build resilience among primary producers and programs that provide skills development, vocational training, and employment readiness for young people aged 12 to 21. Eligible organizations must ensure that their proposed projects align with the Foundation’s nominated priority areas and broader objectives and meet the eligibility requirements under the Income Tax Assessment Act. Applications are assessed by the Foundation’s independent Board of Directors, which may request additional information from shortlisted applicants. Certain programs are excluded, including those receiving more than 70% of their total program budget from government funding, one-off or semi-regular initiatives, programs solely benefiting young people with a specific disability or illness, and programs that do not provide wraparound support. What Are Mazda Foundation Grants? The Mazda Foundation provides grant funding to support projects addressing identified community needs across Australia. Rather than maintaining a single permanent focus, the Foundation periodically identifies priority areas based on pressing needs within Australian communities. The current focus described for the grant program includes two major areas: - Supporting primary producer communities experiencing hardship. - Supporting at-risk or disadvantaged young people. Organizations should ensure that proposed projects directly align with the Foundation’s nominated priorities before preparing an application. What Are the Main Mazda Foundation Funding Priorities? The Foundation’s grant program focuses on projects that strengthen communities and create meaningful opportunities for people facing disadvantage. Supporting Primary Producer Communities One priority is strengthening the resilience of primary producer communities facing hardship. The Foundation supports community-based projects designed to help these communities respond to challenges and build greater resilience. Projects should demonstrate a clear community benefit rather than focusing only on individual assistance. Supporting At-Risk and Disadvantaged Young People Another major priority is providing opportunities for young people who are at risk or disadvantaged. The Foundation supports programs designed to help young people develop skills, improve their employment prospects, and prepare for participation in the workforce. The relevant age group is 12 to 21 years. What Youth Programs Can Be Supported? Youth-focused programs can provide practical pathways toward education, skills development, and employment.

Relevant activities include:

- Skills development - Vocational training - Employment readiness - Programs that help young people prepare for work - Broader support that addresses barriers faced by disadvantaged youth The Foundation’s approach recognises that young people facing disadvantage may require more than a single training activity. Programs should therefore provide appropriate wraparound support. What Is Wraparound Support? Wraparound support means addressing the broader needs and barriers affecting young people rather than providing only a single isolated service. For youth programs, applicants should demonstrate how the proposed program provides ongoing or integrated support that helps participants progress toward positive outcomes. A program focused solely on one training activity without broader support may not meet the Foundation’s requirements. Who Can Apply? Eligible organizations must meet the Foundation’s organizational requirements and ensure that their proposed projects align with the nominated priority areas and broader objectives. Applicants must also be eligible recipients under the Income Tax Assessment Act. Organizations should confirm their legal and tax eligibility before investing significant time in preparing a proposal. How Are Applications Assessed? Applications are reviewed by the Foundation’s independent Board of Directors. The Board may request additional information from shortlisted applicants before making final funding decisions. Applicants should therefore ensure that the information provided in the initial application is clear, accurate, and sufficiently detailed to demonstrate the project’s relevance and potential impact. What Should an Application Demonstrate? A strong application should clearly establish the relationship between the proposed project and the Foundation’s current priorities.

Applicants should explain:

- The community need being addressed. - The target population or community. - How the project responds to that need. - How the project aligns with the Foundation’s nominated priority areas. - The expected benefits and outcomes. - How the program will support participants. - How the organization is qualified to deliver the project. Youth-focused proposals should specifically explain how the program supports at-risk or disadvantaged young people and how wraparound support will be provided. Primary Producer Community Projects Organizations proposing projects for primary producer communities should clearly identify the hardship or challenge affecting the community. The proposal should demonstrate how the project will strengthen community resilience. Community-based approaches are particularly relevant because the Foundation’s focus is on strengthening primary producer communities rather than simply providing isolated assistance.

Applicants should explain:

- Who the affected primary producers are. - What challenges they face. - Why community-based support is needed. - What activities will be delivered. - How the project will strengthen resilience. - What outcomes are expected. Youth Skills and Employment Prog