The Ross Trust’ granting strategy focuses heavily on Educational Equity and Biodiversity Conservation, working in ways which are most likely to achieve positive differences in both areas.

To help organisations achieve the desired outcomes, they grant in three different ways:

1. Smart Grants: up to $40,000 per year for up to three years. (online application)
2. Advocacy Grants: up to $50,000 per year for up to three years. (by invitation only)
3. Challenge and Change Grants: $40,000 to $100,000 per year for up to three years. (by invitation only)

– Biodiversity conservation

Desired Change: Victoria’s biodiversity is conserved, protected and valued by all as part of a healthy and resilient environment

The Ross Trust recognises the challenges to conserving Victoria’s biodiversity and protecting our unique native species. To contribute to addressing this issue, the Trust is working towards a desired change that is focused on conserving and building resilience in Victoria’s land and marine environments. This desired change will assist with guiding the Trust’s work and those seeking funding, to target and focus our work together, towards common outcomes.

Their Biodiversity Conservation funding priority supports increased and coordinated biodiversity conservation actions and increased community support for conservation. It is informed by the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals 14 and 15, knowledge from their grantees, published research and sector expertise.

Smart Grants are one of the ways in which the Ross Trust will fund organisations working to make a difference in biodiversity conservation.

They welcome applications from organisations which seek to move one of the following levers of change:

Build collaborations and partnerships – coordinate planning and action to conserve Victoria’s biodiversity.
Build organisational capacity – support organisational sustainability and equip organisations and communities to advocate for the protection and preservation of Victoria’s biodiversity.
Improve public awareness and education – so that Victorians understand the value of biodiversity and act to conserve and protect it.

– Educational equity

Desired Change: Young people in Victoria have equitable access to educational opportunities so they complete secondary school

The Ross Trust recognises the challenges to achieving educational equity and enabling young people to complete secondary schooling are particularly complex and multifaceted. To contribute to addressing this issue, the Trust is working towards a desired change to support the improvement of educational outcomes for vulnerable students which engage and partner with students, not only in the classroom, but in the home and community. This desired change will assist with guiding the Trust’s work and those seeking funding, to target and focus their work together, towards common outcomes.

Their Educational Equity funding priority is focused on improving educational attainment of Victorian children. It is informed by the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 4, knowledge from their grantees, published research and sector expertise.

Smart Grants are one of the ways in which the Ross Trust will fund organisations working to make a difference in achieving educational equity.

They welcome applications from organisations which seek to move one of the following levers of change:

Increase early learning participation – support engagement in early learning (ages 0-5) and improve readiness to commence primary school.
Support at education transition points – support students, schools and communities to reduce educational disengagement at critical transition points.
Strengthen school and community connections – enhance school effectiveness and capability to establish and maintain engagement.