Funding Futures Program 2026

Turn Your Creativity Into Opportunity

🎓 Supporting Education, Career Development & Future Pathways

The Funding Futures Program is an initiative of the National All Breeds Junior Heifer Show designed to help young people invest in their future.

Through the official NABJHS Silent Auction, competitors can raise funds to support educational opportunities, career development, leadership programs, training, equipment, business ventures, travel opportunities, and personal growth.

Funding Futures is about more than raising money. It encourages participants to develop valuable real-world skills including entrepreneurship, marketing, communication, creativity, initiative, problem-solving, and personal branding.

Whether you're saving for university, a judging school, trade tools, a leadership program, a study tour, a business idea, or your next big goal, Funding Futures is designed to help you get there.

👤 Who Can Participate?

✅ Open to all competitors aged 5–25 years

✅ Must be entered and competing at the 2026 National All Breeds Junior Heifer Show

✅ Must submit an approved auction item

✅ Must complete the required promotional video, photo submission, and social media caption

🚀 How It Works

Step 1: Create or Source an Auction Item

Participants are invited to create, build, source, design, donate, or contribute an item, product, service, experience, or package to be sold through the official Funding Futures Silent Auction.

Examples include:

• Artwork
• Photography
• Merchandise
• Handcrafted products
• Agricultural products
• Experiences
• Services
• Sponsorship packages
• Collectables
• Livestock-related items

All auction items are subject to committee approval and must be brought to the event.

Step 2: Create a Promotional Video & Submit Photos

Submit a 30–60 second video explaining:

• Your auction item
• Why people should bid on it
• Your future goal
• How the funding will help you achieve that goal

Participants must also submit a minimum of one high-quality photo (maximum of three) of their auction item.

Photos should be suitable for use across social media, the NABJHS website, auction displays, and promotional materials.

Videos and photos may be shared across NABJHS marketing channels, displayed on the NABJHS website, and used during the event to promote auction items and participant goals.

Step 3: Submit a Social Media Caption

Provide a short caption that:

• Promotes your auction item
• Encourages bidding
• Shares your future goal

💰 Where Does The Money Go?

100% of the proceeds from your auction item will be allocated directly to you through the Funding Futures Program.

Examples:

• Item sells for $250 → You receive access to $250 in Funding Futures support.
• Item sells for $2,000 → You receive access to $2,000 in Funding Futures support.

⚠️ Important Funding Conditions

Funding Futures operates as a reimbursement and approved invoice payment program.

Funds are not paid directly to participants and cannot be redeemed for cash.

All Funding Futures allocations must be used for approved educational, leadership, personal development, career, entrepreneurial, industry, or future pathway opportunities.

To access your funding, participants must provide either:

• A paid receipt for reimbursement; or
• An invoice for direct payment by NABJHS.

All claims must be submitted within 12 months of the 2026 National All Breeds Junior Heifer Show.

Any unclaimed funds remaining after 12 months may be forfeited and returned to the Funding Futures Program.

NABJHS reserves the right to decline reimbursement requests that do not align with the objectives of the program.

🎯 Funding Must Be Used For The Approved Purpose

As part of the Funding Futures Program, participants are required to promote a specific goal, opportunity, project, activity, or future pathway through their video submission and marketing materials.

Funding allocations must be used for the purpose originally outlined and promoted to bidders.

For example:

✅ If your Funding Futures campaign is raising money to attend an Artificial Intelligence course, leadership program, judging school, university subject, trade course, or business venture, reimbursement may only be claimed against that approved purpose and associated expenses.

❌ If you raised funds for an Artificial Intelligence course, you cannot later request reimbursement for a junior show, holiday, sporting equipment, vehicle expenses, or another unrelated activity.

If circumstances change and the original opportunity is no longer available, participants must submit a written request to NABJHS outlining the proposed alternative use of funds.

Any alternative use of funds must be approved by NABJHS before reimbursement or payment will be considered.

NABJHS reserves the right to decline any reimbursement or invoice request that does not align with the original Funding Futures goal promoted to auction bidders.

The intent of Funding Futures is that bidders are supporting the specific goal presented by the participant. Funding should therefore be used in a manner consistent with that purpose.

💳 How To Access Your Funding

Option 1: Reimbursement

If you have already paid for an approved expense:

1. Pay for the approved expense.
2. Email nabjhs@gmail.com with the subject line:
   Funding Futures Reimbursement – [Your Name]
3. Attach a copy of your receipt.
4. Include:

• • Your full name
  • Description of the expense
  • Amount being claimed

1. Bank account details for reimbursement
2. NABJHS will review the request and confirm approval.
3. Approved funds will be transferred to your nominated bank account.

Option 2: Direct Payment

If you have not yet paid for the expense:

1. Obtain an invoice from the supplier or provider.
2. Email nabjhs@gmail.com with the subject line:
   Funding Futures Invoice Payment – [Your Name]
3. Attach the invoice.
4. Include:

• • Your full name
  • Description of the expense
  • Amount requested

1. NABJHS will review the request and confirm approval.
2. Approved invoices may be paid directly to the supplier on your behalf, up to the value of your available Funding Futures allocation.

Examples of Eligible Claims

✅ School textbooks, uniforms, camps, excursions and tutoring

✅ University, TAFE, apprenticeship and trade expenses

✅ Leadership programs, conferences and workshops

✅ Junior shows, judging schools and agricultural camps

✅ Industry training courses, licences and certifications

✅ Laptops, cameras, software and study resources

✅ Sporting, creative, musical and performing arts opportunities

✅ Domestic and international study tours

✅ Business start-up costs and entrepreneurial ventures

✅ Travel and accommodation associated with approved educational or development opportunities

Please allow up to 30 days for processing of approved claims.

🌱 What Can Funding Be Used For?

Funding Futures is designed to support participants in pursuing opportunities that contribute to their education, personal development, leadership growth, career progression, entrepreneurship, industry involvement, skill development, and future aspirations.

Funding does not need to be directly related to cattle or agriculture.

The program is intentionally broad. If the opportunity helps you learn, build skills, gain experience, develop confidence, explore a career pathway, or invest in your future, it is likely to align with the objectives of Funding Futures.

🔨 Auction Day

🏆 Auction items will be displayed throughout NABJHS 2026 in Blayney, NSW.

📢 Participants and auction items will be promoted through NABJHS marketing channels.

📝 Bidding will occur through the official onsite silent auction.

🥇 The highest bid at auction close will secure the item.

💳 Successful bidders will complete payment through NABJHS.

📅 Important Dates

• Program Opens: 1 June 2026 – 7:00 PM
• Auction Item Submission Deadline: 1 August 2026
• Video Submission Deadline: 1 August 2026
• Photo Submission Deadline: 1 August 2026
• Social Media Caption Deadline: 1 August 2026
• Silent Auction: During the 2026 National All Breeds Junior Heifer Show
• Funding Claim Period: Up to 12 months following the 2026 NABJHS event

📜 Terms & Conditions

• Participants must be registered competitors at the 2026 National All Breeds Junior Heifer Show.
• Participants must be aged between 5 and 25 years at the time of the event.
• All auction items are subject to approval by the NABJHS Committee.
• Auction items must be delivered to NABJHS prior to the commencement of the silent auction.
• Participants must submit a 30–60 second promotional video and a minimum of one high-quality photo (maximum of three) by 1 August 2026.
• Participants must submit a social media caption by 1 August 2026.
• By submitting photos and videos, participants grant NABJHS permission to use the content for promotional, marketing, fundraising, and program-related purposes.
• Funding allocations are held by NABJHS and are not transferable, redeemable for cash, or payable directly to participants.
• Funds may only be accessed through approved reimbursement or invoice payment processes.
• Funding allocations must be used for the purpose originally promoted through the participant's Funding Futures campaign and approved by NABJHS. Any change in purpose requires prior written approval from NABJHS.
• Valid receipts or invoices must be submitted to nabjhs@gmail.com before reimbursement or payment can occur.
• All funds must be claimed within 12 months of the 2026 National All Breeds Junior Heifer Show.
• Participants under 18 years of age must have claims submitted by a parent or legal guardian.
• Any reimbursement payments for participants under 18 years of age will be paid to a parent or guardian unless otherwise approved by NABJHS.
• NABJHS reserves the right to request additional information or supporting documentation before approving a claim.
• NABJHS reserves the right to refuse auction items deemed inappropriate or inconsistent with the objectives of the program.
• NABJHS reserves the right to amend the program if required.

🌟 Why Funding Futures?

Funding Futures is about creating opportunities beyond the showring.

It encourages young people to think creatively, develop practical skills, build confidence, share their goals, engage with their community, and take ownership of their future.

Every auction item tells a story. Every bid creates an opportunity.

Learn. Create. Lead. Invest in Your Future.