Local Generosity Delivers Record-Breaking Give500 Grant Pool for 2025.
Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of local individuals and businesses, Border Trust’s Give500 initiative has reached a significant milestone, achieving 100 donations and creating a community grant pool at a five- year high.
As a result, the value of the 2025 Give500 grants has increased, with the winning grant now awarded $20,000, and two runners-up each receiving $5,000. This year’s funding boost is a powerful demonstration of the strength of local giving and locals caring for locals.
‘This result is something the whole community can be proud of’ said Sue Gold, Border Trust Executive Officer. ‘It shows what’s possible when people come together with a shared goal of supporting local impact. Every single donation has helped grow the pool, and now three community-focused projects will benefit in a meaningful way.’
Give500 is a program of Border Trust, the Community Foundation for the Border region, which raises funds exclusively through donations from the community and local fundraising. Border Trust does not receive government funding and relies on the generosity and commitment of local people to support local causes.
‘That’s the essence of a Community Foundation,” Ms Gold added. ‘It’s about creating a place-based culture of giving, where we back ourselves and each other to make a difference.’
This year, local businesses played a pivotal role in helping Border Trust grow the 2025 grant pool, in particular Albury Business Connect, who supported the campaign as a Give500 partner.
‘We are proud to support Give500 and help raise awareness among our members’ said Glen Robinson, Albury Business Connect General Manager. ‘Local businesses care deeply about our community and recognise the value of working together to create lasting local impact. Give500 makes it easy to be part of something bigger.’
Border Trust also acknowledged PRD Albury-Wodonga, who were the single largest donor to Give500 in 2025, and have supported the initiative every year since it began in 2021. This year, PRD selected Give500 as the recipient of their Caring for the Community initiative, which sees $250 donated for every property settlement completed in the quarter.
‘As a team of local people, we believe it’s vitally important to contribute to the place we call home,’ said Kate Stevens, Director and General Manager of PRD Albury-Wodonga. ‘Give500 gives our team a tangible way to support the many amazing community projects happening across our region. We’ve proudly backed this initiative since it started, and we’re thrilled to see so many others getting involved too. It’s local giving, and local impact, exactly what our community needs more of.’
Applications for the 2025 Give500 Grant are now open to eligible charities and not-for-profit organisations servicing the Border region. Applications close 12 August 2025.
Full details and application guidelines are available at: bordertrust.org.au/give500/give500-grant/
About Give500:
Give500 is Border Trust’s collective giving program. With a tax-deductible donation of $500, donors come together to fund a major annual grant, vote on the project that will receive it, and see the impact of their giving in action. It’s local giving, amplified.