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IMB Bank Community Foundation opens applications for new grant funding for not-for-profits

Announcement posted by Blue Planet PR 27 Apr 2021

Community groups are encouraged to apply, following the challenges of 2020

Images and vision available here

27 April 2021 – To support communities challenged by the global pandemic, fires, floods and financial stress over the past 18 months, IMB Bank Community Foundation has today announced new grant funding for 2021 and invites community groups and not-for-profits to apply.

The global pandemic has seen many charities and not-for-profits across Australia fight for survival, with 91% of not-for-profits[1] experiencing continued service delivery challenges. While 48% are experiencing increased demand for services[2], nearly six in 10 report a continued loss of revenue[3]. 41% report a decline in general donations[4].

With a history of supporting more than 750 community projects and donating over $10million since 1999, the IMB Bank Community Foundation recognises the critical role charities and not-for-profits play in delivering disaster relief, education, health care, sports and recreation, arts and culture, aged care, and many other services and supports for Australians.

Applications are now open for 2021 IMB Bank Community Foundation grant funding and not-for-profits are encouraged to apply by June 30 via the website: https://www.imb.com.au/community.

Projects supported by IMB Bank Community Foundation range from larger, far-reaching initiatives - such as the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute state-wide Heart Health Tour - to smaller local projects, such as sustainable veggie gardens in bushfire-ravaged South East NSW, and inclusive netball tournaments in the Hunter region.

The IMB Bank Community Foundation supports people and communities in IMB’s key markets - Sydney, the Illawarra, Hunter, South Coast, Southern Highlands and the ACT. It is focused on building strong, resilient and forward-focused communities - which is at the heart of IMB Bank’s core philosophy.

“The last 12 to 18 months have been unprecedented. COVID, fires, floods...there are thousands of people and community groups out there who desperately need a helping hand right now. IMB Bank’s Community Foundation has never played a more critical role,” says Robert Ryan, IMB Bank CEO.

“In 2021, we are again calling for those people, not-for-profit groups and communities that are taking action and making a real difference in their neighbourhoods and networks to come forward and apply for IMB Bank Community Foundation funding.

“Anyone who is focused on improving the lives of others in their community, who has a great idea or a program already underway, should consider applying for a grant through the IMB Bank Community Foundation. If it’s a great not-for-profit idea, that helps people, we want to hear about it,” said Robert Ryan.

This month, the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute Heart Health Tour will make its COVID-safe return to NSW. The Heart Health Tour has been a major initiative for the IMB Bank Community Foundation over the past 18 months, and will visit the Illawarra, Shoalhaven, South Coast, Sydney and Hunter regions. The tour is possible thanks to a $150,000 grant from the IMB Bank Community Foundation.

“Thanks to the IMB Bank Community Foundation, we’ve been able to test the heart health of thousands of people,” said Jayne Baric, Strategic Partnerships Manager at the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute. “As with many other not-for-profits, COVID put a stop to the Heart Health Tour last year, but now we’re happy to be back on the road again. It’s no exaggeration to say IMB’s support has literally been a life-saver.”

IMB Bank Community Foundation 2021 funding applications open on 26 April 2021. Community groups should visit https://www.imb.com.au/community to apply. Applications close at the end of June.

“Since 1880, IMB Bank has been strongly invested in the communities in which we operate,” said Rob Ryan. “We have enabled hundreds of local groups to access essential funds to advance and strengthen their communities. 2021 will be a new beginning for many, and IMB Bank Community Foundation is proud to be the organisation giving voice to the unsung community heroes creating a better future for others.”

 

ENDS

 

Vision: Images, B-roll and audio for the IMB Bank funded Heart Health Tour available here.

 

For more information, or to arrange an interview, contact Blue Planet Public Relations:

Maria Crema – maria.crema@blueplanetpr.com.au or +61 402 239 929

Sophie Blue - sophie.blue@blueplanetpr.com.au or +61 416 006 821

 

 

About the IMB Bank Community Foundation

The IMB Bank Community Foundation was established in 1999 to support the communities that IMB Bank calls home. Since inception, the Foundation has supported more than 750 community projects with over $10m 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 sustainable community assets.

 



[1]Reset 2020 - NATIONAL IMPACT+NEED RESEARCH STUDY, Phase 2 - September 2020 Survey Interval

[2] Reset 2020 - NATIONAL IMPACT+NEED RESEARCH STUDY, Phase 2 - September 2020 Survey Interval

[3] Reset 2020 - NATIONAL IMPACT+NEED RESEARCH STUDY, Phase 2 - September 2020 Survey Interval 

[4] Reset 2020 - NATIONAL IMPACT+NEED RESEARCH STUDY, Phase 2 - September 2020 Survey Interval