Community Bank • Blackburn South
Community Bank • Blackburn South
We’re excited about your interest in our Community Investment Programs and invite you to apply and help make a positive impact in our local community.
The Community Bank model allows Community Bank Blackburn South to reinvest profits back into the community. Our commitment goes well beyond funding—it's about creating lasting impact where it matters most.
Here are some examples of the meaningful and impactful projects we have funded in recent times:
We’re focused on developing partnerships with local community organisations to help grow our funding sources to ensure that we can keep contributing back into the community. We’re all about our community thriving so that everyone benefits.
We encourage community and not-for-profit organisations to apply for projects and activities that offer clear public benefit for the community and that align with our 5 Key Impact Pillars:
1. Community Resilience we aim to build community resilience through strengthening the capacity and capabilities of local community groups.
2. Health and Wellbeing we support the health and wellbeing of our community through enhanced access to services and programs.
3. Social Cohesion we strengthen the social cohesion within our community and seek to increase opportunities for social connections, particularly across specific ‘at risk’ community segments.
4. Financial Inclusion we foster financial inclusion by strengthening the capability of community members through the delivery of training and resources.
5. Education we support education opportunities aimed at enhancing respectful behaviour, and achievement of young people to reach their potential.
Community banking operates on a profit-for-purpose model, with our profits reinvested directly into the community that generates them.
To maximise the impact of our Community Investment Program, we must first operate a strong and sustainable banking business. That’s why we encourage people to bank with us and prioritise grant and sponsorship support for community groups that do.
This reciprocal model creates a positive cycle – strong banking performance enables greater community investment, which in turn supports and strengthens the community we serve.
If you’re part of an eligible community group doing great things and making a positive impact in our local area then please apply for our community investment funding. We’re looking for meaningful projects and socially responsible initiatives that your local
community organisation can bring to life with our support.
Our Community Investment Programs support a broad range of organisations, including (but not limited to) community interest groups, community service providers, schools, and sporting clubs. Our aim is to have a broad positive impact across multiple community sectors.
• Any not-for-profit community group or organisation based in the Whitehorse City Council area that actively bank with Community Bank Blackburn South and that is proactive within the community and committed to delivering a project that aligns with one or more of our five key impact pillars.
• Groups that actively bank with Community Bank Blackburn South and deliver a clear benefit to the residents of Whitehorse City Council & surrounds, even if they are not locally based. Political and religious organisations, and any group in this category, must contact Chelsea.Deacon@bendigoadelaide.com.au to confirm eligibility before applying.
• Schools and select government and large community support organisations are exempt from the requirement to bank at Community Bank Blackburn South.
• Projects with other funding contributions will be looked upon favourably.
Our grants are paid to an organisation to address a social issue within the community or to enable them to deliver a specific, standalone project that will benefit local residents.
We sponsor events, projects, clubs or organisations in return for customer acquisition opportunities and brand recognition. Examples of sponsorships include local sporting clubs, festivals and one-off events.
We provide goods, services, and financial support to help achieve social outcomes in our community.
• Round 1: Applications open March 1st, successful applicants notified in April.
• Round 2: Applications open July 1st, successful applicants notified in August.
Applicants are encouraged to apply in a community investment round well before their project or event commences as funds will only be made available after formal announcement has been made and in line with the above schedule.
The actual process itself is quite simple:
1. Read our Community Impact Guidelines
2. Review the eligibility criteria
3. Develop your project proposal or submission
4. Complete and submit your online application
5. You will be notified by email whether your application was successful,
unsuccessful or requires more information
6. Successful applicants will be required to sign an Agreement
7. Funds will be paid on submission of a Tax Invoice (sponsorships and some grants) or provision of banking details (some grants and all scholarships)
8. You’ll deliver the project as proposed and will be required to promote the partnership.
9. Once the project is complete, you’ll submit an acquittal and report on how the project was delivered and how the funding was used.
Before you begin make sure you are eligible to apply and have:
We understand applying for funding can be challenging for volunteers. Please contact Chelsea Deacon on 9894 8467 or 0478 435 574 alternatively you can email Chelsea.Deacon@bendigoadelaide.com.au with any questions on our community investment programs and she’ll be in touch to help you.
Keep up to date with our upcoming community investment programs, by visiting our Facebook page.