Ballarat gets access to new grant funding
Ballarat community groups will soon have a new place to access all important grant funds.
Ballarat Connected Communities is a new philanthropic body founded in partnership with Bendigo Bank which aims to support the local groups and projects that help make Ballarat such a thriving regional centre.
Bendigo Bank’s Executive Local Connection Alex Tullio said groups would be able to apply for grant funding from Connected Communities Ballarat for projects across 10 sectors including youth work, aged care, sport and the arts.
"Working with other local businesses and community partners, we hope to grow a central, sustainable funding model that helps support collaboration on projects that make Ballarat a great place for everyone to live," Ms Tullio said.
"We know that creating successful communities is a good business model for our bank and the people we serve, we’re excited to expand our ethos of shared value in a new way."
Bendigo Bank Regional Community Manager, Mark O’Dowd said the initiative would be partly funded by profits from three local Bendigo Bank branches, Wendouree, Sturt Street Central and Sturt Street West.
"That means by banking at your local Bendigo Bank branch, you can help support your local community," he said.
"We encourage locals to come in to these branches and talk to us about their big dreams for Ballarat, and we hope that by supporting Connected Communities Ballarat we can make many of these a reality.”
Ballarat Connected Communities will be launched at a special event at the Art Gallery of Ballarat on Thursday 27 April.
A grant of $3,000 provided by supporting partner GMHBA will be awarded to one lucky community organisation to mark the occasion, with the first official grant round opening for applications in May 2017. The grant applications can be made online and will be considered by the independent Connected Communities Ballarat Board.
For more information visit www.ballaratconnectedcommunities.com.au or head into your local Bendigo Bank branch.
