Help strengthen rural communities by training young people to work in areas of local skills shortages.

Young people in rural Victoria often need to travel long distances or leave home to complete an apprenticeship or study at TAFE. Cost can be a real barrier to achieving dreams. Your donation can help turn a young rural person’s dream of vocational training into reality.

Rural Chances Vocational Scholarships offer financial assistance from $2,000 to $5,000 to young Victorians who train for a high-demand job. We select outstanding applicants who demonstrate their commitment to rural Victoria and show potential to be leaders in their community.

Success in study requires more than money alone. Youthrive Victoria provides supportive programs that will improve personal and educational outcomes. Scholarship holders attend the Young Rural Leaders program, receive vocational mentoring, and join a network of like-minded young rural people – all at no cost to the student. 

Donations of any size will help to support young rural people to study and succeed. Our generous supporters have already established the Rural Chances Vocational Scholarships in Victoria and your donation will extend vocational training opportunities to more young rural Victorians.

What's in a name? Youthrive Victoria is a legacy of Helen Macpherson Smith. Until 2018 we were known as the Macpherson Smith Rural Foundation and have awarded more than $1.4M in scholarships for university and vocational education.