You’ll need to update your browser so you can continue to log on to your online banking from 28th February. Update now.

Close
Newsroom

Media Release

Youth-focused organisations across Australia encouraged to apply for Commonwealth Bank Community Grants

Commonwealth Bank Community Grants open for applications

06 March 2017

Image source: The Fight Cancer Foundation has used its $10,000 community grant to subsidise 357 nights accommodation for families with kids in hospital.

Commonwealth Bank’s Community Grants program is again open for applications, with the bank pledging to donate more than $6 million to youth-focused organisations over the next three years.

The program, which was launched in 2007, has since invested $13.7 million in 1,730 youth-focused community organisations across Australia.

In recent years, the Community Grants program invested over $2 million per annum into youth-focused organisations, with more than 200 organisations receiving an annual grant of up to $10,000 each.

From this year however, the bank will award grants over three years, with successful organisations receiving payments of up to $10,000 in 2017, 2018 and 2019. A total of $6 million ($2 million per year) will be donated to help programs that:

  • Support Australian youth to access quality education; or
  • Engage youth in developing life skills for their future; or
  • Address the mental, physical and emotional wellbeing of youth; or
  • Create stable family environments that support youth to thrive.

The Community Grants program is an initiative of the Commonwealth Bank Staff Community Fund, which enters its 100th year in 2017. Through the Staff Community Fund, Commonwealth Bank employees can contribute a nominal amount from each pay, which is then matched dollar-for-dollar by Commonwealth Bank.

Anna Lenahan, Chair of the Staff Community Fund, is encouraging youth-focused organisations to apply for a grant.

“Over the last decade, these grants have helped more than 1,700 charities support the wellbeing of tens of thousands of young Australians. This is a big impact and we are very proud of what the grants have achieved so far,” she said.

“This year, we have introduced some significant changes to improve our grant funding program. Youth organisations will now receive grant funding for three years, as opposed to just one, meaning they will be able to plan further ahead and do a lot more with the money they receive.

“By committing to fund our grants for three years, we believe we can help community organisations plan for the longer term, allowing them to deliver more services and support for young Australians. If your organisation is community-based and committed to supporting the wellbeing of Australia’s youth, please make sure you apply for a grant.”

Applications open today (Monday 6 March 2017) and close at 11.59 pm AEDT on Friday 31 March 2017. To find out if your organisation is eligible or to apply for a grant, visit commbank.com.au/grants.

The investment in the Community Grants program is an important part of Commonwealth Bank’s new corporate responsibility plan, Opportunity Initiatives, which is designed to drive positive change.

About the Commonwealth Bank Staff Community Fund

The Commonwealth Bank Staff Community Fund was formed in 1917 and is one of Australia’s longest running employee contribution program. Over 13,000 current and retired staff contribute to the Fund. All administrative costs for the Fund are met by the Bank, ensuring 100 per cent of funds raised go directly to youth-focused organisations. The Commonwealth Bank matches contributions made by staff dollar-for-dollar.

About Opportunity Initiatives

As one of Australia’s largest companies, we are committed to making a positive contribution to our customers, communities and the economies in which we operate. Opportunity Initiatives is our corporate responsibility plan to drive positive, lasting change through education, innovation and good business practices. Visit us at commbank.com.au/opportunityinitiatives to find out more.