Give now for greater impact: Country Education Foundation local foundation matched giving campaign open

The Country Education Foundation (CEF) helps regional students access education and training by breaking down financial barriers.

Across Australia, almost 800 students were supported in 2025 through a network of 49 local foundations, including CEF Coolah, one of the network’s fastest-growing foundations.

Now in just its second year, CEF Coolah has already helped 30 local students pursue further education and training, with support made possible through the generosity of the community.

“We were able to assist 10 students in the first year, and 20 in the second year,” said Shelley Piper from CEF Coolah.

“We’ve been fortunate to receive donations from corporate supporters and community events, including a $20,000 fundraiser from the Local Cricket Club on Australia Day.

“This year a local landholder is hosting a Melbourne Cup luncheon in their garden, with proceeds going to CEF. We are grateful that the community gets behind us.”

Beyond the fundraising totals, the true value of CEF is seen in the lives of local students.

“We have some lovely stories to share”, Ms Piper said.

“We were able to assist a student that had lost their father, and this grant was the difference between going to university or not.”

Felicity McMaster, Secretary of CEF Coolah, added: “One of our students has almost completed a carpentry trade at TAFE. This student works full time to support herself, as well as studies.

“Our grant has provided fuel vouchers for her to travel over an hour to TAFE, as well as purchase the tools she needs for her trade.”

“She is so grateful for the support and is always telling us what a difference we have made to her ability to train and achieve her goals,” Ms McMaster said.

CEF Coolah takes thoughtful steps to honour the generosity shown by its donors.

“We have initiated naming the grants that we give to students. We can combine all small local donations into a Coolah Community Grant, while larger donors over $1,000 receive their own named grant.

“This promotes those donors, makes our process transparent, and allows us to tell them exactly who they’ve supported and how the funds are helping,” Ms McMaster said.

The annual Local Foundation Matched Giving campaign is currently underway and will close on October 31, 2025, with total donations to a local foundation matched to a maximum of $5,000.

Funds raised will go directly to local foundations across rural and regional Australia to support their local students with costs such as accommodation, laptops, fuel, and work placements.

“Matched giving is so important for local CEF foundations as it allows us the opportunity to maximise funds for the next year,” Ms McMaster said.

To donate to a local foundation today please visit: https://cef.org.au/donations/