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A helping hand where it matters most

What difference can $20,000 make? Four recipients of the 2025 CommBank Community Grants program share how funding is helping their communities thrive.

By Dilvin Yasa

  • Community organisations across Australia are doing vital work to support people through rising cost-of-living pressures.
  • A $20,000 grant can change what’s possible, giving organisations the support they need to keep helping others.
  • Four grant recipients share how this funding is strengthening their communities, from surf safety and disability services to youth programs and food relief.

Backing communities doing vital work

With the current cost of living, charities across Australia supporting a range of causes – from cancer support to homelessness shelters and First Nations services – are working harder than ever to create a brighter future for those in need.

But they’re not doing it alone. With the help of the CommBank Staff Foundation’s Community Grants program – funded by staff donations and matched by CommBank – 180 community organisations have each been awarded a $20,000 grant to help them improve the wellbeing of Australians across all facets of their lives. Here, four recent grant recipients share their stories.

Anita Moore – Alexandra Headland Surf Life Saving Club

Keeping people safe, on and off the beach

Anita Moore is the community education manager for Alexandra Headland Surf Life Saving Club, a 101-year-old organisation on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast anchored in family and friendship.

“In a club like ours there’s a sense of belonging that’s hard to walk away from.” 
Anito Moore amongst the rescue boards

“When we say Alexandra Headland Surf Life Saving Club is family orientated, we’re not overstating things. The club was founded in 1924 by men from nearby Woombye and today, some of their great-great-grandkids are members of the club and active in getting the community together, just like their forebears did.

“I’ve heard it said that we’re one of the strongest clubs in the life-saving movement – probably because some of our former nippers have gone on to do great things. Kristy Munroe, Aly Buck, Lani Pallister, Callum Simpson and brothers Nathan and Braedan Jason have represented Australia on the global stage in a range of events. While I’m proud of our former members, watching kids reach goals – whether that’s doing a bronze or finding a new social group – gives me the most joy.

“In a club like ours there’s a camaraderie – a sense of belonging that’s hard to walk away from. Obviously we take the work we do very seriously – I teach school kids about surf awareness as well as survival skills and advanced resuscitation and every Sunday we have about 700 nippers on the beach – but the social aspect is hard to ignore. Parents bring their kids to do nippers and when they get older and want to do other things, the parents stay because they’ve made such great friends.

“I was screaming when I found out we were awarded the Community Grant. Honestly, it couldn’t have come at a better time. We desperately need an inflatable rescue boat for our water-safety events. Getting one will make all the difference to our community; we plan to use it for search and rescues and assisting with our general training. Not only that, it ensures we’ll continue to have great people working together to keep our club as wonderful as it is.”

Natasha Williams – Golden City Support Services

Creating space for connection and creativity

Natasha Williams is the CEO of Golden City Support Services, which provides disability services from Bendigo to Echuca and New Gisborne in Victoria.

Natasha Williams whos company provides support for people with disabilities

“Golden City Support Services has been helping people with disabilities around central regional Victoria for almost 50 years. From supported living and respite care to group programs like choir and arts activities, we do things with people, not for them. Whether it’s joining someone on a shopping trip or supporting them to try something new, we provide assistance that encourages independence.

"We do things with people, not for them."

“One of our programs I’m especially proud of is CreateA, which offers people with disabilities the opportunity to engage in contemporary arts practice and share their work with the wider community. This year, inspired by a news story about local street culture, our drama group has created a production titled Burnout Ballet, which will be performed in December at The Engine Room in Bendigo.

“While the NDIS provides fantastic support in many areas, it doesn’t cover creative programs. That’s why we’re thrilled to receive funding from the CommBank Staff Foundation, which will help cover essential elements, such as costumes, props and our experienced creative director. It means our participants can continue to take part in meaningful arts activities, building self-esteem and social connections along the way.

“For us, it’s about more than a performance. It’s about giving our participants a stage to express themselves on and the chance to be contributors to their community. We’re deeply grateful to CommBank for supporting the arts in central regional Victoria and for investing in the potential of the people we support.”

Gemma Clendining – The Girls & Boys Brigade

Opening doors for children, youth and families

Gemma Clendining is the fundraising impact coordinator for The Girls & Boys Brigade, a Sydney-based charity that supports children, youth and families in need by providing educational and recreational opportunities.

Gemma Clendining works to provide opportunities to less advantaged families in Sydney

“The Girls & Boys Brigade tends to fall under the radar but we’ve been around supporting disadvantaged children, youth and families in inner Sydney since 1882. We have three main pillars. Our Children’s Program provides after-school care in collaboration with the City of Sydney council, holiday care and weekend camps. Our Youth Program provides the same care, as well as outreach and case work for older kids, and the Family Support Program is designed to provide assistance for entire family units and meet the various challenges parents might be facing at the moment, whether it’s soft counselling options or referrals to external services. Our programs are designed to give low-income families the same opportunities as everyone else.

“For charities like ours, the landscape is tougher than ever.”

"We’re not government-funded so we rely mostly on donations from individuals and corporate partners, grants – like this one – and events run by our small fundraising team. What we’ve noticed, however, is that the cost of living is hitting every demographic, making what we do that much more difficult. We currently have more than 300 parents, children and youth relying on us, including an increase in neurodiverse children who require more one-on-one support.

“The Community Grant is a huge chunk of funding for us and we couldn’t be more thrilled to be able to spend it on our weekend youth camps. So many of our children and youth don’t have the opportunity to go on holidays so this is a great way for city kids to either go up to the coast or to regional NSW to have fun, spend time with peers, learn practical life skills and work on building self development. We’ll be spending it on resources, activity costs, food and supporting staff wages to ensure they have the time of their lives. Every family deserves that carefree feeling every now and then.”

Bev Woolhouse – The Pantry WA

Helping people put food on the table with dignity

Bev Woolhouse is the CEO of The Pantry WA, a not-for-profit in Perth’s Wangara dedicated to providing food to those in need.

Bev Woolhouse has spent years working to support those needing a meal in WA

“I was volunteering at a food charity run by a local church group that was closed down. I couldn’t turn my back on the 60,000 people depending on them for food so I decided to see what I could do. I asked a friend to open a café on the site I rented to help me afford the space. Then, as we grew, locals gave us money – $300 here, $1000 there – to help keep the lights on. What began as a leap of faith has now become The Pantry WA.

“The list is long but hope is in sight.”

“We provide food hampers to those doing it tough and we do it in a way that allows everyday Aussies to maintain their dignity. Having sourced the food – predominantly from organisations like OzHarvest and SecondBite as well as through donations from church groups – we package everything neatly and then people drive up to our garage to have them placed in the boot. Just like they would at a supermarket. We ask for a $10 contribution to go towards our rent but if someone is really stretched and can’t afford it, that’s fine, too.

“As the cost of living increases, the number of people asking for help is continuing to grow. We’re now receiving more calls and emails than ever before and people are desperate. Unfortunately, we’re just not able to source enough food to feed the community and we now have a waitlist of more than 150 people. It’s as disheartening for them as it is for us.

Small grants, lasting impact

“There was a period not too long ago where I was asking myself how much longer I can keep going financially. I’d ordered a new refrigerated truck – essential for picking up food – two years ago, not knowing how I was going to be able to afford it. Everything felt like a big act of faith. When I found out about receiving the grant, I burst into tears of relief. Now I have the money to pay for the truck outright and all of the on-road costs, as well. With Christmas coming, it will also allow us to include a few treats in the 600 hampers we’ll be giving out. The list is long but hope is in sight and I’m just so very grateful.”

Learn more about CommBank Community Grants

Since 1917, CommBank employees have been supporting Australian communities through our workplace giving program. 

Learn more

Published: 4 February 2026

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An earlier version of this article was published in Brighter magazine. 

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