Four grassroots community groups helping Victorians in need have received more than $140,000 from the Bank of Melbourne Neighbourhood Fund.

Bank of Melbourne Chief Executive Scott Tanner said the grants would help improve the lives of more than 1,000 Victorians in need, creating a better future for young people, families and communities all over the state.

“Bank of Melbourne is proud to support Victorian communities and recognise how important local charities are to the fabric of our neighbourhoods. By supporting Bairnsdale Neighbourhood House, Good Cycles, the Spanish Latin-American Welfare Centre and Western Chances, we’re helping more Victorians in need with access to nutritious food and programs to create connected communities,” Mr Tanner said.

Since its launch in 2013, the Fund has donated more than $1 million to small charities that attract little government funding or significant fundraising income of their own. The Fund is proud to support these projects in the latest round of grants:

1. Bairnsdale Neighbourhood House, East Gippsland: $22,000

Using a community development model, Bairnsdale Neighbourhood House helps those experiencing disadvantage in East Gippsland by providing training and support. The grant will be used to increase the capacity of their kitchen and deliver more nutritious meals to local residents through their food rescue program.
www.facebook.com/BairnsdaleNeighbourhoodHouse

2. Good Cycles, Docklands/CBD: $46,500

Good Cycles uses bikes to develop vocational skills that help isolated and vulnerable people in the community find meaningful jobs. The grant will be used to convert two shipping containers into a bike workshop, encouraging a healthy mode of transport, providing access to resources and delivering economic opportunities.
www.goodcycles.org

3. Spanish Latin-American Welfare Centre, Maidstone/Western Melbourne: $25,000

The Spanish Latin-American Welfare Centre provides community support services to Victoria’s Spanish speakers. The grant will go towards an 11-seat bus to help disadvantaged older people attend weekly group outings from their homes or aged care facilities, creating a supportive network with common interests.
www.united.org.au

4. Western Chances, Western Melbourne: $50,000

Western Chances helps financially disadvantaged young people in Melbourne’s west realise their potential. They provide tailored merit-based scholarships and support to talented students so they can pursue their education and career goals. The grant will be used to help around 55 young people with education and job training costs.
www.westernchances.org.au

For more information about the Bank of Melbourne Neighbourhood Fund or to apply for grants of up to $50,000 in the next funding round from 14 March 2016, visit bankofmelbourne.com.au/neighbourhoodfund.

 

Media enquiries

Helen Aynbund, Bank of Melbourne Media Relations – aynbundh@bankofmelbourne.com.au, 0402 227 881