Costa Tomato Exchange
Well Grown Community Grants Program
Costa Tomato Exchange has initiated a Well Grown Community Grants Program to provide support for community organisations within the Guyra and Armidale regions.
Applications for funding for 2025 opened on Wednesday, January 22 and closed on Friday, February 7.
Sustainable Commercial Farming Principles
Community is one of Costa’s 10 Sustainable Commercial Farming Principles, which underpin our operations.
Costa operates in many rural and regional areas and is actively involved in supporting the social fabric of these communities. Our commitment is to act and behave as a responsible corporate citizen, and to work closely with communities so they can benefit both economically and socially from our ongoing presence.
Eligibility criteria
We aim to support local or regional activities, events and organisations which align with the Costa values of Passion, Determination, Accountability, Sincerity and Respect and which provide clear benefits to the community.
In 2025 we will be awarding five grants up to a total of $4000 each, with ONE grant to be awarded in each of the following category areas:
- Sporting event/activity which promotes and supports healthy active lifestyles.
- Community event which is aimed at supporting cultural diversity and/or creating strong community connections.
- School project/initiative which enhances education or educational opportunities, particularly in the areas of healthy eating; or nutrition; or sustainability.
- Environmental initiative/activity which promotes the enhancement of our environment.
- Community organisation project aimed at supporting disadvantaged youth and/or Indigenous youth projects.
How to apply
To be considered for a grant applicants should consider how their activity/event/program provides benefits for the local community.
Applicants will need to complete an online Expression of Interest including the following details:
- Organisation’s contact details.
- Description of the organisation.
- Description of the event/activity/program which funding is being applied for.
- Benefits to the community.
- How the event/activity/program relates to the Eligibility Criteria.
- Details of sponsorship including promotional/advertising plans.
What we won't fund
- Organisations with direct links to tobacco or alcohol, negative impacts on health or the environment, or associated with risk-taking activities.
- Events/projects that are inconsistent with the Costa values.
- Activities which denigrate, exclude, or discrimate against minority community groups.
- Projects, events or organisations undertaking high-risk activities or with poor occupational health and safety performance.
- Events, projects or organisations that expose Costa to reputation or financial risks.
Key dates
Wednesday January 22, 2025: 2025 Expression of interest opens
Friday, February 7, 2025, 5pm: 2025 Expression of interest closes
Monday, February 17, 2025: Successful grants announced for 2025
2025 Successful applications
Thank you to all the organisations which applied for funding in 2025.
- Sporting event/activity: New England Nomads Junior AFL; Guyra United Soccer Club.
- Community event: New England Garden Festival.
- Community Project: Armidale City Public School to support the completion of the Yarning Circle/Indigenous Garden.
- School project/initiative: St Peter’s Preschool Armidale to support the creation of a community garden; Parents and Friends of St Mary’s of the Angels Primary School Guyra to support farm to table activities.
- Environmental initiative/activity: Guyra Neighbourhood Centre to support Cool Climate Permaculture Workshops.
2024 Successful applications
Thank you to all the organisations which applied for funding in 2024. The organisations which have been successful for 2024 are listed below. Due to the large number and quality of applications in the sporting event/activity category we have split the funding among three recipients.
- Sporting event/activity: Guyra Shamrock Hockey; Armidale Blues Netball; Duval Dam Buster Trail Run
- Community event: Guyra Trout Festival
- Community Project: Young Life Armidale
- School project/initiative: Kelly’s Plains Public School
- Environmental initiative/activity: Guyra Neighbourhood Centre
2023 Successful applications
- Newling Public School
- Bald Blair Public School
- Guyra Junior Rugby League Spuds
- Drummond Memorial Public School
- Global Citizens at St Mary of the Angels Guyra
- Sandon Public School
- Guyra Super Spuds Rugby League Club
- Armidale City Public School
- Guyra Volunteer Rescue Association
- Guyra Lamb & Potato Festival Committee inc.
- Yarm Gwanga Preschool and Early Education Centre
- Guyra Bowling and Recreation Club
- Guyra United Soccer Club
- Guyra Cricket Club
- Armidale Neighbourhood Centre Inc
- Little Bear Child Care Cottage
- Guyra & District Chamber of Commerce Inc
- Guyra Cycling Community
- Armidale Blues Netball Club