Border Trust is a place-based community foundation supporting charitable organisations and community projects across the Albury–Wodonga and Border region of Australia. It connects local donors, families and businesses with nonprofit initiatives addressing community wellbeing, equity, leadership, disaster recovery and climate resilience.
Introduction
Border Trust serves the local government areas of Albury, Federation and Greater Hume in New South Wales, and Indigo, Towong and Wodonga in Victoria. Its community foundation model ensures that donations support local needs and locally developed solutions.
History and Background
Border Trust traces its community philanthropy work to 2004 and marked 20 years of local giving in 2025. It was established by local people to encourage charitable giving and create a permanent source of funding for the Border region.
Over time, the foundation has expanded its activities from general community grantmaking to collective giving, corporate partnerships, named charitable funds, disaster recovery and long-term community investment.
Mission and Purpose
Border Trust’s purpose is to transform local generosity into lasting community impact.
Its priorities include:
- Community connection and wellbeing
- Community equity
- Community leadership
- Climate-resilient communities
- Disaster recovery, resilience and preparedness
The foundation supports projects that improve access to food, shelter, education, employment and healthcare while strengthening inclusion, community capacity and regional resilience.
Governance and Structure
Border Trust operates through BT Community Foundation Ltd, a charitable company limited by guarantee. It acts as trustee of a public ancillary fund and the Towong Community Bushfire Disaster Relief Fund. Donations made through its eligible public fund structures can be tax deductible.
A locally connected Board of Directors provides governance and strategic oversight, supported by an operations team responsible for community engagement, donor partnerships, administration and grantmaking. Border Trust reports that its accountability mechanisms include external audits and community consultation.
Funding and Grants
Border Trust receives no regular government funding for its general operations. Its philanthropic activities are supported through:
- Individual and business donations
- Corporate and philanthropic partnerships
- Bequests and gifts in wills
- Fundraising campaigns
- Named Sub-Funds
- Collective giving
- Investment earnings and permanent endowment funds
Named Sub-Funds allow individuals, families and businesses to build long-term charitable funds without establishing a separate family foundation. Contributions are pooled for investment, with future earnings used to support eligible local causes.
Under its 2026 Community Grants model, local not-for-profit organisations may submit an Expression of Interest throughout the year. Grants of up to $5,000 are generally awarded, while larger requests of $10,000 or more may be considered depending on the project and available funding.
Major Programs and Initiatives
Community Grants provide funding for locally developed projects addressing identified regional needs.
Give500 is a collective-giving campaign through which community members, families and businesses contribute $500. Sixty per cent of the annual funding pool supports current projects, while 40 per cent builds a permanent Give500 Sub-Fund for future grantmaking.
Hume Bank Safer Communities Fund supports nonprofit projects advancing community equity, connection and wellbeing.
ACE Radio 2AY and Edge FM Grant Program, supported by the Handbury Foundation, has distributed more than $168,000 to community-identified initiatives since 2017.
Towong Community Bushfire Disaster Relief Fund was created following the 2019–20 Black Summer bushfires. Border Trust was appointed to distribute approximately $2.85 million for long-term, community-led recovery in Towong Shire.
Impact and Examples of Work Funded
Border Trust’s current website reports that it has distributed more than $6.3 million and supported 447 community projects across the Border region. (Border Trust)
Funded initiatives have addressed areas such as:
- Food security and emergency relief
- Mental health and social connection
- Family violence prevention
- Multicultural inclusion
- Youth leadership
- Community infrastructure
- Bushfire recovery and preparedness
- Education and employment support
One example is support for the Albury Wodonga Aboriginal Health Service through the Hume Bank Safer Communities Fund. The initiative strengthened culturally led family-violence support and practical assistance for Aboriginal families.
Conclusion
Border Trust is an important regional community foundation connecting local philanthropy with nonprofit organisations across Albury–Wodonga and surrounding communities.
Through charitable grants, collective giving, donor-advised sub-funds, business partnerships, disaster recovery funding and permanent community investment, it supports locally designed solutions to social, environmental and economic challenges. Its place-based funding model helps keep charitable resources within the region while building stronger, safer and more inclusive communities.
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