Funds
Country & Co Rural Community Fund
A thriving, resilient future for rural communities across Southland, where people and place are nurtured for generations to come.
This is the founding purpose of the Country & Co Rural Community Fund.
Established in 2016, Country & Co is a local rural real estate business based in Southland. Built on strong relationships, local knowledge, and a team approach, the company has grown to become a leading rural sales agency in the region, working closely with farming families and landowners across Southland.
Their work often places them alongside clients at significant points of change including farm sales, succession, and transition where decisions carry both personal and long-term community impact.
Country & Co Rural Community Fund
Through their work, the team at Country & Co see firsthand the realities facing rural communities, the opportunities, but also the pressures that come with change.
The establishment of this fund reflects a considered response to these realities. Rather than supporting communities through one-off contributions, they have chosen to create a permanent fund that will continue to give back over time, supporting the same communities they live and work in.
It is also a way of acknowledging the trust and support of their clients. The business exists because of those relationships, and the Country & Co Rural Community Fund is one way of returning value to the wider community.
A First for Southland
Country & Co is the first corporate business to establish a fund of this kind with the Southland Foundation.
It reflects a forward-thinking approach, recognising that businesses can play a role not just in the economy, but in the long-term wellbeing of the communities they are part of.
What this Fund will Support
The fund will support a broad range of initiatives and opportunities. Through ongoing investment, it will provide support for charitable initiatives that aim to:
Strengthen rural wellbeing
Support education and capability
Enhance environmental stewardship
Improve access to essential services
Build community resilience
This fund is a practical commitment to the place Country & Co calls home, and to the communities that continue to support their work.
Looking Ahead
As an endowment fund, the Country & Co Rural Community Fund is designed to grow over time, providing a steady source of funding for rural initiatives each year. It reflects a simple idea that long-term, consistent support can make a meaningful difference. While established by Country & Co, the fund also creates an opportunity for others who share a connection to rural Southland to contribute over time, helping extend its reach and impact.