Country Education Foundation of Australia (CEF)

Country Education Foundation of Australia (CEF) is a national charity that was established in 1993, to promote and enable equal access to further education and career opportunities for rural and regional youth, irrespective of background, circumstances or location through community-based encouragement and financial assistance. Country Education Foundation’s 49 local foundations across the country are run by community volunteers all with one thing in common – a passion for seeing rural and regional youth succeed.

It all started in Boorowa, southern NSW, in 1993, when a group of community members came together to raise funds for students who couldn’t afford post-school training or further education.

The idea soon spread and CEF has grown into a family of almost 50 local foundations across New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Queensland and Northern Territory.

Local foundations engage in fundraising to provide local grants and scholarships to youth in their areas. The financial support helps to pay for educational expenses such as textbooks and laptops for university students, tools and equipment for apprentices, and assist rural and regional youth to relocate to take up career opportunities.

CEF provides a lot more than just grants; through a combination of local and national support, CEF also mentors and supports students throughout their studies or training. For most students, this community support is just as important as the financial assistance. It’s about knowing that their community is backing them and believes in their aspirations.

Charity Cause:

• Children/Youth

Education Location:

• National