IMB Bank Community Foundation has today opened applications for new 2022 grant funding for all community groups and not-for-profits in need of financial support.

The IMB Bank Community Foundation is proud to be a funding partner for many community groups working on the ground to help locals, particularly as recovery efforts continue following bushfires, two years of the pandemic, and recent flooding events.

Since 1999, IMB Bank Community Foundation has donated over $11million to more than 800 community groups and projects across NSW, ACT and Melbourne, focusing on disaster relief, education, health care, sports and recreation, arts and culture, aged care, and many other services.

Financial support has been delivered to communities when and where they need it most, including:

• 10,000 free health heart checks across ACT and NSW.
• Essential first aid skills for more than 4,700 primary school students.
• Driver training education for close to 20,000 teenagers with $1.6m donated overall to education and training projects.
• Over $1.8m donated to support 163 youth-centred projects.
• Ongoing support for projects focused on women’s and men’s wellbeing.
• Support for volunteer services including Rural Fire Brigades, State Emergency Services (SES), Marine Rescue, Surf Life Saving Clubs, St John Ambulance.
• Enhancement to community facilities including projects for solar power, sustainability and access for people of all abilities.

“There are people and community groups in desperate need of a helping hand right now. The strains of the pandemic, floods, and now higher living costs are testing the resilience of many communities,” says Robert Ryan, IMB Bank CEO. “Through the IMB Bank Community Foundation, funding relief for recovery and support projects is available.”

Helping local communities when and where it counts for them has always been a key focus for IMB Bank Community Foundation.

“Over the years, IMB Bank’s Community Foundation has played an important role in providing financial support to communities in the sectors where it is needed. We’ve supported far-reaching initiatives such as the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute state-wide Heart Health Tour, and also provided a financial boost for many diverse grassroots projects,” said Ryan.

“Recent projects we’ve supported include a Turbans4Australia community kitchen in Western Sydney, SCARF refugee support programs in the Illawarra, SAGE’s sustainable veggie gardens in bushfire-ravaged South East NSW, and Survivors R Us mental health training in the Hunter.

“The Foundation has also delivered funds to Rural Fire Services, Surf Life Saving Clubs, marine rescue and ambulance teams, men’s sheds and women’s wellbeing programs to ensure these vital services continue to help locals across the board.”

Ryan encourages local community groups to get working on their applications as soon as possible.

“In 2022, we are again calling for those people and not-for-profit groups who are taking action to improve the lives of others in their community to come forward and apply for IMB Bank Community Foundation funding. Applications can be made online, and the closing date is Thursday 30th June.”

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

IMB Bank Community Foundation 2022 funding applications open on 2 May 2022. Community groups should visit https://www.imb.com.au/community to apply. Applications close 30 June 2022.