Grant allocations will focus on projects which provide “sustainable, tangible and long-term benefits” in regional, rural and remote areas.

A total of 12 grants are available with a focus on six individual pillars, each offering two funding tiers at $10,000 and $20,000.

Applications must fall under at least one of the following: people and regions, environmental awareness, innovation, safety, encouraging diversity, and healthy bodies and minds.

Elders head of communications Naomi Dallenogare told InDaily the grant came about as the group wanted to do “something more to further support our communities, where our people live, work and our clients reside”.

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Dallenogare said applications had already come through to cover amenity upgrades, transport initiatives, education and mental health programs, and community gardens.

“They are very much not just about the purchase of a barbecue for a football club,” she said.

“Initiatives that will produce a long-term positive impact within a community, and its very much something that can be accessed by that community and for diverse groups as well.”

The grant will focus on initiatives that make a long-lasting, sustainable change to their community. Photo: Supplied

Dallenogare said they consulted with “a range of industry bodies that are involved in regional impact” to form the judging criteria going into the grant applications.

“[Applications] will go to our specific experts within Elders that are aligned with each of the pillars,” she said.

“We also have a panel that will look at [the applications] across the criteria that we’ve put together in terms of their impact within the community.”

Elders CEO Mark Allison said he hoped the grants would kickstart initiatives aimed at addressing challenges faced by rural communities.

“There is so much creativity and ingenuity in our regions…this initiative is one way we will give back and invest in initiatives that will support in building further connections and capability in our towns,” he said.

Applications for the grant opened on March 12, and will close May 10, with recipients to be announced mid-July.