Francis Gregory Foundation

The Francis Gregory Foundation is a charitable organisation established in 2012 with the purpose of providing financial support to students from farming families in rural Victoria who aspire to undertake undergraduate university studies. The Foundation recognises the unique challenges faced by young people in agricultural communities, particularly those experiencing financial hardship, and aims to reduce barriers to higher education for these individuals.

Mission and Vision

The Foundation’s mission is to empower children of primary producers by offering scholarships that enable access to tertiary education, which might otherwise be unattainable due to economic constraints. Its vision is to foster educational opportunities that contribute to the sustainability and development of rural communities by supporting the next generation of leaders and professionals from agricultural backgrounds.

Main Objectives

• Provide annual scholarships to eligible rural students pursuing full-time undergraduate degrees.
• Alleviate financial burdens associated with university education for students from farming families.
• Encourage academic excellence and community leadership among scholarship recipients.
• Support students who demonstrate resilience in overcoming personal and financial challenges.

Benefiting Groups

• Victorian students from families whose primary income is derived from primary production.
• Students residing in designated farming zones who face financial hardship.
• Young people committed to pursuing full-time undergraduate studies at Australian universities.

Services and Activities

• Annual awarding of two scholarships, each valued at $6,000 per year for the duration of the undergraduate degree.
• Financial assistance paid in two instalments per year to support educational expenses.
• Ongoing engagement with scholarship recipients through regular meetings with Foundation trustees to monitor academic progress.
• Promotion of leadership and community involvement as part of the selection criteria for scholarship recipients.