Towong Community Bushfire Disaster Relief Fund

About the Fund

The Towong Community Bushfire Disaster Relief Fund was established in response to the 2019/2020 bushfires which devastated our region.

Along with the Community Enterprise Foundation (covering the Alpine LGA) and the East Gippsland Community Foundation (covering East Gippsland), Border Trust has partnered with the Victorian Bushfire Appeal to support the Towong Shire.

As trustee of the Towong Community Bushfire Disaster Relief Fund, Border Trust will distribute $2,850,945 through grant programs to support long term recovery initiatives.

We thank the Victorian Bushfire Appeal and the generosity of public donors for enabling this place-based distribution and look forward to investing in significant community identified priorities.

Our Victorian Government Agreement requires public access to the movement in the Towong Community Bushfire Disaster Relief Fund.

• Savings Account – Details Here .   Term Deposit – Details Here.

Grant Program

Update: October 2025.

Border Trust has been working with key stakeholders and the Towong community in relation to final distributions for the Towong Community Bushfire Disaster Relief Fund.

These distributions will be aligned to Mental Health and Wellbeing initiatives, as identified through these discussions.

There will be no further open rounds for this fund, however, we encourage you to stay connected to the outcomes of the program and details regarding the final distributions through our website and social media stories.

For further information, please contact the Border Trust office on 0485 858 185

or admin@bordertrust.org.au

Grant Recipients

• Round 1: Feb 2022 – 7 Grants totalling $316,880 – Details Here
• Round 2: May 2022 – 7 Grants totalling $347,818 – Details Here
• Round 3 Sept 2022 – 6 Grants totalling $272,213 – Details Here
• Round 4: March 2023 – 11 Grants totalling $373,400 – Details Here
• Round 5: July 2023 – 8 Grants totalling $222,790 – Details Here
• Round 6: Feb 2024 – 10 Grants totalling $393,806  – Details Here
• Round 7a: Feb 2025 – 5 Grants totalling $261,030 – Details Here
• Round 7b: May 2025 –  10 Grants totalling $345,551 – Details Here

Community Consultation

The purpose of this consultation was to check in with the Towong community to identify emerging needs and local priorities. By engaging directly with residents, leaders, and community groups, Border Trust will ensure that future grants address both immediate recovery challenges and longer- term opportunities.

Media Release available HERE

Read the full document HERE

“It’s reassuring to know Border Trust is listening to the community. This consultation shows they’re committed to managing the funds responsibly and ensuring they make a real difference where it’s needed most.”