At the NRCF, we believe education is a fundamental right and that a quality education should be accessible irrespective of your personal circumstances, or where you live. However, many families in rural, regional and remote Australia struggle to provide the basics their children need at the start of the new school year.

In partnership with the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR), the NRCF have been supporting the Back to School Program since it began in the Northern Rivers in 2006, distributing over $500k in redeemable vouchers to disadvantaged children and their families across our region.

Previously, the Program has specifically supported ‘Grandcarers’ – grandparents who are primary carers of school aged children, by offering redeemable vouchers valued at $50 for items such as books, stationery, school bags, shoes and clothing.

“The vouchers have been very valuable in keeping the boys in uniform for school and having the required basic equipment,” said one Grandcarer.

Another added “I am very grateful for the vouchers which allow me to provide all that the children need by way of school supplies, uniform and fees. Thank you most sincerely.”

In 2020, the NRCF partnered with regional service provider Social Futures to distribute 1000 redeemable $50 vouchers to families in need across 35 schools in bushfire affected zones, as part of a special bushfire response program.

For the 2021 school year, the Back to School Program will once again target rural and remote students who are in need of financial support.

FRRR is offering to support our local fundraising efforts, so we are seeking to raise $4,000 to help disadvantaged students and their families pay for back to school essentials as they return to the school year in 2021. If you would like to help, go to our NRCF Giving Page and select “Donate to Back to School Program” when making your donation.