Volunteer, not-for-profit, and community groups in the Sutherland Shire are being encouraged to apply for grants from the IMB Bank Community Foundation.
There are now just two weeks to go until the applications close for a share of $700,000 worth of funding.
The foundation (ICF) has donated up to $500,000 to community groups every year for the last 19 years and now, in their 20th year of support.
Over the past 20 years, the ICF has allocated much-needed funds to small community groups including schools, sporting, charity and volunteer organisations, plus larger bodies including Lions Clubs Australia, Rotary Australia, Vision Australia, Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Scouts Australia, the SES, St Johns Ambulance, and Royal Life Saving Australia.
IMB Bank CEO Robert Ryan urges all community groups, not-for-profit organisations, and charities to apply before the February 28 deadline.
‘‘This year, The Community Foundation celebrates 20 years of funding community projects, with 2019 projects bringing our total funding amount to $10 million," said Mr Ryan.
‘‘To date, we have supported nearly 700 projects and we are very proud to have seen first-hand the direct benefits these projects have provided to their local area.
‘‘We want to hear from people or groups with an idea to support their community, whether they are new projects in need of seed funding, or projects already in operation that are looking to expand.’’
The foundation has a rich and diverse history of community engagement and improvement.
Projects have ranged from the establishment of recycling programs and Men’s Sheds, through to public walkways, school gardens, youth driver training, mental health, first aid training and increased security for victims of domestic violence.
In 2018, in the Sutherland Shire, students with learning difficulties, trainee sailors, a community band and beekeepers were among those who shared $100,000 in grants from the IMB Community Foundation.
The grants were shared between 16 community projects.
Community groups are encouraged to go to imb.com.au to apply before February 28.