Community Bank • Surf Coast
Community Bank • Surf Coast
Community Bank Surf Coasts greatest strength is that we are able to provide physical branches in Winchelsea, Anglesea and Lorne to support our community and customers. Physical branches in small communities support the local customers, but most importantly support the local economy, ensuring long term sustainability in our townships.
While online banking is a fantastic tool, nothing compares to the value of walking into a branch or calling and speaking directly to a local staff member when facing problems or navigating a major milestone. Our team are ready to assist you over the phone or in person a service level that online platforms simply can’t match.
Thanks to the support of our customers over the past 20 years, Community Bank Surf Coast has not only been able to provide a physical banking presence in our towns but has also become a pillar of the community.
We take pride in returning almost all profits back into the communities we serve. Choosing to bank with your local Bendigo Bank becomes a powerful way for your banking to make a difference in your community.
Our Community Investment program returns the profits back into the Community that generated them, meaning our Investment Program is geographically aligned to the Winchelsea, Anglesea and Lorne and Districts communities.
All applications are assessed following our community investment policy and inline with the Community Bank Surf Coast Community Impact Pillars. We look for events and activities that benefit the wider community, particularly assets that enhance the community. Grants are only possible from the profit generated from the community choosing to bank with the Community Bank.
Please note that our Community Investment Program is in quarterly cycles with strict application and funding deadlines. Quarterly sponsorship cycle in the current financial year is as follows:
Applications open and launch 1 August 2024
Applications close 31 August 2024
Notification of outcome 30 September 2024
Applications open and launch 1 November 2024
Applications close 30 November 2024
Notification of outcome 23 December 2024
Applications open and launch 1 February 2025
Applications close 28 February 2025
Notification of outcome 31 March 2025
Applications open and launch 1 May 2025
Applications close 31 May 2025
Notification of outcome 30 June 2025
The funding of successful applications will follow shortly after the receipt of a tax invoice and any other requirements as outlined in the approval letter.
SMALL Grant FUNDING TO make a small but important impact
Our small grants provide funding for small projects, activities or equipment for your group or organisation that will enhance your community group. This could be covering the sausages for a fundraising activity or paying for netball bibs for a newly created team. We love to share these around and provide quick turn around on responses to allow for groups to move swiftly and remove timely admin for our local volunteers.
These small grants can be approved outside of grant rounds by our Branch Managers and Directors. We can only provide community support that we do, thanks to the customers that choose to bank with us.
SIGNIFICANT FUNDS THAT REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Surf Coast Community Bank takes pride in the number of community groups and organisations we have supported over the years. Our investment program is designed to support projects that benefit as many people as possible across our region from new tennis nets to first aid education programs. Our program requires mutual commitment from both the bank and the organisation.
When applying for these grants please think about and include in your application how you can help us spread our Community Bank message of when you bank with us, e.g. your money stays right here, circulating within our community.
This can be done via invitations for our staff and Directors to speak at your events, hang signage at your club or organisation, share us on your social media pages and encourage your members and participants to support the Bank that supports them.
SUBSTANTIAL PROJECTS THAT leave an everlasting legacy
Surf Coast Community Bank are proud of the many major projects we have partnered and supported in the past including the re-development of the Anglesea Fire Station, Hesse Rural Health Winchelsea Dementia Ward, Moriac Medical Centre, Barwon Health – Kids Rehab Centre, Lorne Stribling Reserve Digital Screen and most recently the Winchelsea Community Bank Village Project to name a few.
These projects support our Community Impact Strategy of investing into the growth of a resilient, sustainable, and thriving community and are a community owned asset that will continue to serve our customers and community for many years to come.
The assessment of these projects is significant, as it is not something we can fund for all. The Board of Community Bank Surf Coast assess each application against the Boards Community Impact Strategy Guidelines and review the impact each project will have on the greater catchment area to maximise community benefit.
If you would like to apply for a Hero Project grant please reach out to a local Director or our Community Engagement Officer – Kelly Turner Ph: 0459 997 102 for details on how to apply.