Greater Bank’s Community Funding Program believes a little support goes a long way and has now supported more than 770 community groups to the tune of $1M, with $114,000 given away on the Central Coast alone.
Since launching in 2016, the program has expanded across the state.
In 2020 it began on the Central Coast, where it provides $3,000 each month split among three local organisations, as determined by a public vote.
Across the Central Coast, Greater Bank’s Community Funding Program has supported: 38 community services and events; 22 sport and recreation clubs; 19 creative arts programs; 11 health and wellbeing organisations; 10 environment groups; seven animal Welfare Groups; six schools and education programs; and one historical society.
Greater Bank Chief Distribution Officer, Emma Brokate, said the Central Coast region has been a significant beneficiary of this program, with 114 community groups sharing in the $114,000.
“The million-dollar milestone is something we are extremely proud of, and with it the small role we have played in helping these groups achieve their goals to make a positive difference in the local community,” Brokate said.
“The success of this program is dependent on these community-focused organisations, as well as their volunteers and supporters who work tirelessly to make the Central Coast even greater.
“So ‘thanks a mil’ to the hardworking volunteers who run the sports clubs, food pantries and photography groups; to those who coach the teams, look after abandoned animals and make the costumes for performances; and to those who raise money for the local school, to restore the community hall, or provide vital help to the elderly, the isolated and people battling illness.
“These are the people who make our communities thrive, building camaraderie and cohesion in difficult circumstances and getting involved when something needs doing.
“We know this program is instrumental in helping communities and look forward to helping many more organisations achieve their goals and make a difference across the Central Coast.”
Berkeley Vale Neighbourhood Centre won the December 2022 round of the program.
President Kim Juresa said the money made a huge difference.
“The $2,000 we received from Greater Bank paid for an entire term of our Brekkie To Go program that we run at Berkeley Vale Skate Park every Tuesday morning,” Juresa said.
“We provide juice boxes, Up and Go, muesli bars, fresh fruit and muffins, as well as essentials like chapsticks, tissues and sanitary products for local teens as they walk to school.
“Everyone is welcome, because we want to make sure we don’t embarrass those kids whose families might be doing it a bit tough, and with the rising cost of living, sadly that’s more and more local families.
“We recently held a garage sale which raised $1,800, which was a fantastic result, that also served as a community event.
“While the garage sale was a great success, it involved a lot of work from a lot of people over many weeks, so Greater Bank’s program provides invaluable funding for significantly less effort on our part, which is amazing and very much appreciated.”
Greater Bank’s Community Funding Program exists in six other regions – the Central West, Gold Coast, Illawarra, Mid North Coast, New England, and Northern Rivers.
Community Groups from across the Central Coast, including grassroots sporting clubs and teams, school P&C associations, not-for-profit organisations and charities, can still enter to be part of the #GreaterCentralCoast program.
They can do so by going online and explaining in 100 words or less how their organisation helps to improve the lives of people in our community.
Source:
Greater Bank