The IMB Bank Community Foundation has committed a further $700,000 for grassroots projects that strengthen communities by addressing universal issues that affect many Australians.
The IMB Bank Community Foundation has announced funding for 55 diverse not-for-profit, grassroots projects in 2023, taking the total funding pledged by the Foundation since 1999 to $12million, helping over 900 community groups.
In 2023, the IMB Bank Community Foundation is delivering funding for programs and initiatives that tackle challenges faced by many Australians across Sydney, the Hunter, the Illawarra and South Coast, Canberra and Melbourne.
IMB Bank CEO Robert Ryan says that IMB Bank Community Foundation funding in 2023 could be the boost that many community groups need to deliver effective and meaningful support.
“Australians have faced many challenges in recent years and community organisations are providing the on-the-ground support for people when they need it most,” said Mr Ryan. “It is a privilege to support volunteers and organisations that donate their time, energy and care to help others.
Key themes for funding in 2023 include:
- Heart disease – This year sees the continuation of the Foundation’s long term support for initiatives that raise awareness and educate Australians about reducing their risk of heart disease.
- Support for victims of domestic violence – Several projects and groups address crisis support for women and children experiencing domestic violence, providing vital services in their time of need
- Environment and sustainability – Sustainability continues to be a priority for Foundation funding, with recycling, and food sustainability initiatives in 2023 aimed at driving positive community and environmental change.
- Food relief – Tackling everyday living pressures, funding is supporting initiatives that help Australians put food on the table and deliver nutritional meals for those experiencing financial disadvantage.
- Youth skills and education – Tailored programs that strive to build resilience and awareness among youth remain a steadfast commitment for the Foundation. 2023 funding will support initiatives that address driver safety, healthy habits and wellbeing, empowering young people to make positive choices to benefit their futures.
- Multicultural support – Delivering funding support for programs that provide CALD (Culturally and Linguistical Diverse) communities with the opportunity to expand their skills or receive support tailored to their needs.
- Volunteer services – With El Niño officially declared in Australia, this year’s funding will support volunteers, on-the-ground, in communities most vulnerable to bushfires and other extreme weather patterns. Funding will ensure essential equipment and resources are available to keep volunteers, and their communities.
“The community projects funded this year are working towards strengthening communities and building capability to help them prosper. They are nurturing the young leaders of tomorrow, creating opportunities for people of all backgrounds, ages and stages of life to connect and develop skills, deliver volunteer services, and improve the quality of life of those in our communities.
“We are supporting a diverse range of projects that are making a real difference in their communities and striving for a better tomorrow. The Foundation funding will provide a financial boost helping energise communities so they can continue to build for a brighter future,” Mr Ryan said.
IMB Bank is one of the longest-standing financial organisations in Australia and was recognised with Canstar’s Most Satisfied Customers – Bank, and Most Satisfied Customers – Customer Owned Bank awards in 2022.
For more information about IMB Bank Community Foundation visit www.imb.com.au/community.
The community groups and projects funded by IMB Bank Community Foundation in 2023 include:
NSW – Sydney & Sutherland Shire
- Cumberland Community Radio – Purchase of equipment for the new podcast room to enable our community partners to have a place to record and post a podcast.
- Harman Foundation – Upgrade of the 24/7 Helpline that supports individuals and families facing challenging circumstances to have access to services, support and opportunities.
- Menangle Men’s Shed – Purchase of equipment to enable members to participate in projects for use by the local community.
- PCYC Eastern Suburbs – Supporting Fit for Life – an early morning intervention program for disengaged and vulnerable youth.
- Rotary Club of Camden – Delivery of the U Turn the Wheel full-day program that educates Year 11 students on safe driving, motor vehicle and road rules.
- SAGE Community Services – Creating a new therapeutic and sensory space for vulnerable children, women and families living in Parramatta and Cumberland local government areas.
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute – The Heart Health Check is a fully mobile and portable service that provides free testing to educate communities about modifiable risk factors for heart disease and healthy heart habits.
- Wrap With Love – Purchase of yarn for the Knitting Bank where knitting and crochet enthusiasts of limited means can collect yarn for projects that contribute to the organisation.
- Cancer Patients Foundation – Supporting the Foundation’s Look Good Feel Better programs that provides face-to-face and virtual workshops, Feel Better Fridays and Home Delivered Confidence Kits to support the physical, psychological; and social wellbeing of cancer patients.
- Morris Children’s Fund – Supporting a music therapy program within seven special needs schools across the Sutherland Shire.
- Wanda Surf Life Saving Club – Supporting the purchase of a new SSV (Side by Side Vehicle) for patrolling lifesavers to quickly respond to emergencies in and around Wanda Beach.
NSW – Illawarra
- Food Ladder – Development of a Food Ladder Greenhouse System to an underprivileged NSW school.
- Football South Coast – Raising awareness for Walking Football – a weekly program targeted at senior players and players who are unable to run due to injury or physical restriction.
- Frame Running Wollongong – Purchase of frames and equipment to support children with disabilities that affect mobility and balance to enjoy inclusive sporting games, social interaction and the freedom of movement.
- Illawarra Wig Library: New wigs and turbans will be purchased to support those who have experienced hair loss due to medical conditions or treatment.
- Lifeline South Coast (NSW) – Supporting the delivery of the Lifeline South Coast Big Book Fair in Wollongong to raise funds for suicide prevention and crisis support services.
- Need a Feed Australia – Supporting the Breakfast Buddies Program which delivers a free breakfast BBQ every month in Wollongong for those requiring food relief.
- Our Community Project – Expanding the Tender Funerals Volunteer Development Program to support people in the local community.
- Port Kembla & District Meals on Wheels – Upgrade of technology to support the organisation’s delivery of services to the local community.
- The Scout Association of Australia NSW Branch – Providing wheelchair access to Austinmer Scout Hall to benefit members.
- U3A Third Age of Learning (Wollongong) – Learning for Fun in Retirement – Development of learning packages to train members to research, design, prepare and present talks/lectures and other learning activities.
- Supported Accommodation and Homelessness Services Shoalhaven Illawarra (SAHSSI) – Security at Women’s Crisis Accommodation – Providing additional video security systems to crisis accommodations in Dapto and Nowra to support women who have experienced domestic violence.
NSW – South Coast
- Batemans Bay Surf Life Saving Club – Supporting the Batemans Bay Nipper and Junior Lifesaving Program which runs from October to March to raise awareness of water safety and skills amongst vulnerable community members.
- Bay & Basin Cancer Support Group – Purchase of home care support equipment for those going through cancer treatment.
- Community Workshed – Purchase of a band saw and lathe for participants with special needs.
- Eurobodalla Volunteer Operations Support Rural Fire Brigade – Purchase of equipment to support work-related activities of the Brigade.
- Eurobodalla Woodcraft Guild – Purchase of tools and equipment so that members can participate in projects, supporting their social and mental wellbeing.
- Friends of Eurobodalla Regional Botanic Garden – Purchase of marquees to be used for community events, and entertainment activities for children and families.
- Long Beach Community Association – Purchase of equipment for Plotters Community Garden to benefit the local community.
- Surfair Motor Sports Club – Delivery of the Teensafe driver education program for L and P plate drivers.
- The Narooma Rescue Squad – Purchase of a new battery-operated spreader and ram for road crash rescue incidents.
- Volunteer Marine Rescue Narooma – Purchase of equipment to support volunteer radio operators.
- Zonta Club of Berry – Providing resettlement baskets to women and children affected by domestic violence exiting the local refuge.
NSW – Southern Highlands
- Rotary Club of Goulburn – Delivery of the U Turn the Wheel program that educates Year 11 students across Goulburn, Crookwell and Yass on safe driving, motor vehicle and road rules.
- Rotary Club of Moss Vale – Delivery of the U Turn the Wheel program that educates Year 11 students on safe driving, motor vehicle and road rules.
- Southern Highlands Christian Community Centre – Purchase of a vehicle to expand capacity to collect rescued food and donations, distributing to people in need, in crisis or isolation in our local communities.
NSW – Far South Coast
- Bega District Volunteer Rescue Group – Purchase of a Pentheon Ram and extension to fit out the rescue vehicle.
- Native Animal Education Sanctuary – Educational signs to support conservation, education and community in the Bega Valley.
- Sapphire Community Projects – Saving Lives – Purchase two defibrillators, one for the Sapphire Community Pantry and the other for the Mobile Pantry, and first aid training for volunteers.
- Southern Women’s Group – WRC Recovery Sanctuary – Creating a specific trauma informed ‘Recovery Sanctuary’ space at the Bega Women’s Resource Centre for women to heal, reflect and ground themselves.
- Towamba Rural Fire Brigade – Establishing a fire fighter in the shed for essential communication with the crew during fire emergencies.
- Yass Valley Men’s Shed – Construction of a new workshop to encourage more local membership for greater social connection and skills development.
NSW – Hunter
- A Splash of Colour Swimming – Empowering culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) women to learn to swim during a 12-week program.
- Angel Gowns for Australian Angel Babies – Supporting families experiencing the tragic loss of a young child to deliver Angel Gowns.
- Hunter Heart Safe – Improving the outcomes of sudden cardiac arrest in the Hunter region by arming community members with the skills to act in cardiac arrest emergencies.
- LIVEfree Project – Supporting the Shine Bright Mentoring Program which is focused on group and individual mentoring of children and their carers with life-preserving skills, safety, self-confidence.
- Red Nose – Supporting the development of resources for the Safe Sleep for Bubs initiative developed by First Nations midwives and community, for First Nations families.
- Uniting Church in Australia St Luke’s Church Belmont – Purchase of flannelette and fleece for the Quirky Quilters program which also serves as a social support network for women.
- Warm Blankets for Everyone – Purchase of polar fleece for blankets to provide to vulnerable people in the community.
ACT
- Adamas Nexus – Expanding support services into regional Australia for women who have experienced domestic violence and sexual abuse with a focus on post-crisis, long-term support.
- Canberra Region Junior Rugby League – Ensuring that every club has a portable defibrillator and trained personnel in case of an emergency to protect players, volunteers, and supporters.
- Lids4Kids ACT – Supporting the recycling hub and education centre for recycling workshops, education, micro factory, and communal garden.
- St John Ambulance Australia ACT – The Little First Aiders program educating of children across the ACT through online modules, raising awareness, teaching, and reinforcing basic life-saving skills.
- Weston Creek Men’s Shed – Purchase of materials and equipment for the creation of timber products such as toys, small furniture items, street libraries, bird and possum nesting boxes for donation to local preschools, daycare centres and primary schools.
VIC
- 300 Blankets – Purchase of care packages that include a balanced selection of nutritious foods and essentials to supporting people experiencing or at risk of homelessness in Victoria.
About IMB Bank
Established in 1880, IMB Bank is one of Australia’s most enduring financial institutions, helping people achieve their financial goals for over 140 years. IMB was rated as one of the World’s Best Banks by Forbes in 2020, and was recognised with Canstar’s Most Satisfied Customers – Bank, and Most Satisfied Customers – Customer Owned Bank awards in 2022. IMB Bank offers digital and mobile banking, home loans, personal loans and deposit products, retail and business banking, and has a growing branch network through NSW and Melbourne. With total assets over $7 billion, IMB is regulated by APRA and ASIC, is proudly customer-owned and is one of the leading mutual banks in NSW.
About the IMB Bank Community Foundation
The IMB Bank Community Foundation was established in 1999 to support the communities IMB Bank calls home. Since inception, the Foundation has supported more than 900 community projects with over $12m in donated funding. The Foundation is proud to support projects which strengthen local communities through the transfer of skills and knowledge, encouraging and supporting volunteer input and building lasting community assets.
