Benefit Bendigo grant recipients announced as distributions exceed $160,000

September 2026 award recipients include:

• $5,000 to the Maiden Gully Marist Cricket Club All-Abilities Team to assist with transport costs for away-games in Melbourne.
• $8,250 to the Bendigo District Cricket Association, supporting various programs including the Senior 20/20 Competition and a Girls Development Program.
• $10,000 to support the 2027 Community Award for the Bendigo Sports Star Awards.
• $20,000 to La Trobe University’s Regional Pathways Program in the Bendigo Region.

Benefit Bendigo is a not-for-profit organisation which enables local residents to support local initiatives through their banking. Bendigo Bank customers who have a Bendigo Bank loan and/or deposit accounts connected to Benefit Bendigo automatically direct a share of the bank’s profits back into the region.

Launched in March 2026, the initiative has distributed more than $160,000 in funding to 23 groups in Bendigo and surrounding areas.

Bendigo Bank’s Chief Customer Officer, Adam Rowse, said the partnership between Bendigo Bank and Benefit Bendigo was just one of the many ways the Bank is delivering on its purpose to feed into the prosperity of its customers and the community.

“Through Benefit Bendigo, we have created a pathway for new and existing customers to support community projects and groups, and help give local organisations the resources they need to thrive and grow. It’s exciting to see the diverse ways these groups have put these funds to work,” he said.

Maiden Gully Marist Cricket Club Co-ordinator Rob Fisher is excited to have received funding through the Benefit Bendigo program.

“Our All-Abilities Cricket Program has around 50 participants living with an intellectual disability. This grant will help with transport costs when playing ‘away’ games in the All-Abilities Cricket Association in Melbourne. It will also help reduce the financial burden on families during 2027. We thank Bendigo Bank and Benefit Bendigo for their support,” he said.

Residents in and around Bendigo can directly support local organisations and projects simply by choosing Bendigo Bank for their banking needs. By visiting a local branch and linking an eligible account, customers can start making a difference in the Bendigo community today.

Previous recipients of Benefit Bendigo grant funding have included: Bendigo East Swimming Club, Sports Focus, Bendigo Winter Night Shelter, The Old Church on the Hill, Bendigo Woodturners Association, Bendigo Comedy Festival, Mitochondria Productions and Bendigo Pickleball Club.

Applications for Benefit Bendigo grants are open year-round. Visit benefitbendigo.com.au to apply.

Bendigo Bank is a proud, community focused organisation and one of the largest employers in the region. The Bank is the only ASX100 listed company with its headquarters based in a regional city and operates the country’s second-largest regional branch network.