Our Granting Focus: Advancing Educational Equity Across Victoria

At the Ross Trust, we believe every young person deserves an education that supports their identity, potential and connection to community—no matter who they are or where they live. But across Victoria, many children and young people still face unfair barriers to learning. These challenges are especially acute for First Nations students, those in out-of-home care, young people in contact with the justice system, those living in regional and rural areas, school-avoidant and neurodiverse learners, and young people from migrant and refugee backgrounds.

What We Will Fund

This year we will support initiatives that:

• Prioritise equity by focusing on those furthest from opportunity

• Support community-led solutions, especially in regional Victoria

• Back flexible and inclusive learning models that re-engage young people

• Strengthen systems and workforce capacity to better support students

• Amplify community voice and drive policy change

Where We Focus

We invest in communities with community-led, collaborative solutions and strong local leadership—including the Mornington Peninsula, South-West Coast, Central Victoria, and Outer West Melbourne.

How We Fund

Our approach is grounded in trust-based philanthropy. We offer multi-year, flexible support, keep processes streamlined and transparent, and build respectful, long-term partnerships. We’re here to walk alongside our grantees—not just fund them.

All grants are by invitation only. If you wish to express initial interest, please contact us.

See where we’ve granted

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