Greater Bank’s #GreaterNewEngland Community Funding Program has started the year on a high having reached the major milestone.
Since launching the program in 2016, 123 charitable and community groups across the New England region have collectively received $200,000.
Each month, the #GreaterNewEngland program has provided $5,000, which is split amongst three beneficiaries who are helping make it a greater New England.
The community-funding program has directly assisted 61 Armidale-based organisations to the value of $96,000, 39 Gunnedah-based organisations to the value of $61,000 and 23 Tamworth-based organisations to the value of $43,000.
Greater Bank’s Head of Marketing and Customer Experience, Matthew Hingston said offering this kind of ongoing support to the local community is a truly rewarding experience for all involved.
“As a customer-owned bank we have a strong commitment to supporting the communities that support us and the #GreaterNewEngland funding program is a wonderful example of this philosophy,” Mr Hingston said.
“Since September 2016 we have been providing these relatively small but significant funding contributions to a wide range of beneficiaries including sporting clubs, schools, health and community support groups, as well as arts and cultural groups.”
“This program can have such a positive impact on local community groups who continually have to work hard to fundraise each year and we have seen first hand the positive impact our funding has on these groups and the communities they serve.”
Matt Hingston, Head of Marketing and Customer Experience.
A recent beneficiary is Tamworth Tech Shed who received funding as part of the #GreaterNewEngland December 2019 round.
Tamworth Tech Shed provides a safe and supportive work and training space for those with an interest in technologies such as computers, robotics, coding, electronics and CNC manufacturing.
Tamworth Tech Shed founder and organiser, Trevor Bradberry, said the $3000 win from the December community vote helped the group develop and construct plastic shredders to recycle and repurpose disposable plastic items.
“The members came up with the idea to build the plastics shredder as a group project. We have drawings and the next step now is to purchase the parts to make our plan a reality,” Trevor said.
The #GreaterNewEngland program continues in February, with voting currently open until Wednesday, 26 February 2020. Vying for their share in $5,000 will be South West Robins, Gunnedah Junior Soccer Canteen and Oxley High School Robotics.
To submit your vote, either go online to greater.com.au/greaternewengland or visit any Greater Bank branch. Collectively the effort you make to vote will mean a lot to the winning organisation in terms of the programs and services they are able to offer the community.
Greater Bank is also calling for nominations for future funding rounds. Community groups can visit greater.com.au/greaternewengland and tell us in 100 words or less how their organisation is helping to improve lives of locals.