COMMONWEALTH BANK STAFF SUPPORT YOUNG AUSTRALIANS FOR TENTH YEAR BY PLEDGING $2 MILLION IN COMMUNITY GRANTS

Applications open today for organisations that support the health and wellbeing of Australian youth to apply for a Community Grant, as Commonwealth Bank continues its annual staff-funded initiative for the tenth year.

Commonwealth Bank staff in partnership with the Bank will invest $2 million in local communities across Australia by awarding hundreds of individual grants, worth up to $10,000 each.

Since the initiative launched in 2007, $11.7 million in grants have been awarded to more than 1,400 youth-focused organisations to support a range of programs on education, health and social inclusion.

The Community Grants program is an initiative of the Commonwealth Bank Staff Community Fund, Australia’s longest running employee contribution program. Staff can contribute a nominal amount from each pay towards the fund, which is then matched dollar-for-dollar by Commonwealth Bank.

Kylie Macfarlane, General Manager Corporate Responsibility, Commonwealth Bank, said: “Our staff have a long and proud history of supporting the health and wellbeing of young Australians, and our Community Grants are just one of the ways we can help improve the lives of Aussie kids.

“The grants are made possible by the generosity of more than 13,000 of our current and retired staff donating a little from each pay to the fund.

“We look forward to receiving this year’s applications and encourage eligible organisations across the country to apply.”

To be eligible for a 2016 Community Grant, organisations must support the health and wellbeing of Australians up to 21 years of age and be endorsed by the Australian Tax Office with Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status.

Applications open today and close at 5.00 pm AEDT on Monday, 28 March 2016. To apply for a grant or for more information, visit commbank.com.au/grants.

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