Greater Bank is giving charities and community groups across the Central Coast the chance to share in $3,000 each month, following the expansion of its community funding program.
Since 2016, Greater Bank has provided more than $300,000 to 200 community groups through similar programs in the New England and Illawarra regions, and this month will launch #GreaterCentralCoast to assist a diverse range of groups across the region.
Each month, three community groups on the Central Coast, nominated by and voted on by the community, will share in the funding, with $2,000 to the organisation attracting the most online votes and $500 to each of the two runners-up.
Contesting the public vote in the inaugural #GreaterCentralCoast May round are Coast Shelter, We Care Connect and Lions Club East Gosford & Wyoming.
Coast Shelter is a not-for-profit charity providing accommodation and support programs for people on the Central Coast who are homeless, at risk of homelessness or escaping domestic and family violence.
The organisation will use the funds to purchase activity books and art supplies for the children living in its refuges and transitional housing.
We Care Connect supports children living in poverty on the Central Coast by collecting community donations of pre-loved children’s clothing and good quality baby items, which they then give to local families in need.
Lions Club East Gosford & Wyoming holds regular fundraisers in order to support a number of local charities and organisations, including Maya Cottage, a local refuge for young women, Childhood Cancer Research, Central Coast Kids in Need and Aboriginal Reconciliation Group.
Greater Bank’s Chief Executive Officer, Scott Morgan, said the program launch reaffirms Greater Bank’s commitment to supporting the communities it serves.
“There is no doubt that these are uncertain and unprecedented times through which many community and charity groups are struggling,” Morgan said.
“Supporting the communities that support us is something that we have long lived by and it’s more important than ever to reinforce this support.
“For this reason we are proud to launch our community funding program on the Central Coast.
“We have seen how much the program can make a difference to community groups and are extremely proud to play a small part in helping these groups achieve their goals.”
The #GreaterCentralCoast funding program puts the power into the hands of the community by allowing them to both nominate and vote for the organisations they think are deserving of funding.
Voting is open from May 4-27.
Greater Bank is also calling for nominations for future funding rounds.
Source: Media release, Apr 28, 2020 – Greater Bank