Greater Bank’s #Greater Community Funding Program epitomises our mantra of supporting the people that support us, and now after five years and expansions into five regional areas, the program has reached an important milestone.
In July, we celebrated $500,000 in community funding that has supported 363 community groups across the New England, Illawarra, Central Coast and Mid North Coast.
It’s something we are exceptionally proud of.
Launched in Armidale in September 2016, the Community Funding Program aimed to support those organisations that work every day to make their community even greater.
Such was the response, the program soon expanded into the wider New England region, taking in Tamworth and Gunnedah. Within two years, further expansion into other areas of regional NSW started.
According to Greater Bank’s Community Engagement Manager, Ingrid Kaczor, the program has been a wonderful opportunity to broaden the reach of the organisation’s community support.
“There are so many wonderful groups across our areas of operation, run by passionate and dedicated people that work hard to support their communities,” Ingrid said.
“Fundraising for all these groups is challenging, particularly over the past 18 months as COVID restrictions put a hold on or even cancelled more traditional fundraising opportunities. Our program has helped so many groups fill that financial shortfall, which has allowed them to continue to operate.
Ingrid Kaczor, Greater Bank Community Engagement Manager
“We’ve also seen over the past year or so how the program has also helped these groups connect with their people.
“Be they sporting clubs or community groups, the program has helped galvanise the groups as they rally their members and supporters, and then in turn their networks, to come together and vote for the cause.”
Ingrid said that the most rewarding elements of the program have been seeing the diverse range of groups it supports, but also the impact this money can have on those involved.
“Our funding program has shone a light on how many amazing groups there are in our communities that can be providing very specific support. The majority of time they go unnoticed outside of those people they directly service, which makes it difficult for them to get any sort of financial support.
“Sporting teams have used the funding to purchase training equipment, support groups provided programs for victims of domestic violence, animal rescue services provided care for stray and abandoned pets, and schools have updated playground equipment.
“Each and every one of the winners and runners up have expressed great appreciation for this support.”