Media Release

Communities in St Kilda, Geelong, Ballarat, Dandenong and Metro Melbourne will receive Bank of Melbourne Neighbourhood Fund grants in time for the festive season.

Victorian organisations St Kilda Mums, Skyline Education Foundation Australia and Fitted for Work have received up to $50,000 each from the Bank of Melbourne Neighbourhood Fund.

The grants will be used to re-home donated infant clothing and equipment to needy families; provide financial support and a personal and career development program to disadvantaged VCE students; and connect 170 women with sustainable employment.

Bank of Melbourne Chief Executive Michelle Winzer said she was delighted that the funding would reach the organisations in time for the holiday period.

“Christmas is a time for giving and we’re pleased to recognise grassroots organisations who are working hard and making a difference in their local communities all year round,” Ms Winzer said.

“I’m delighted that this money will be spent on expanding the great services delivered by these groups throughout Melbourne and Regional Victoria.”

Bank of Melbourne’s Neighbourhood Fund has donated more than $2 million to 87 local charities over the past four years, with this money helping 300,000 Victorians in need.

The latest funding round will improve the lives of disadvantaged Victorians by supporting:

 

1. St Kilda Mums –  Geelong, St Kilda and Ballarat surrounds: $50,000

St Kilda Mums in St Kilda, Geelong and Ballarat ensure donations of infant clothing and equipment reach families in need. Since 2009 the team’s 1,500 volunteers have re-homed over 132,000 items of children's clothing and nursery equipment, including cots, prams and car seats, and have expanded their services to Geelong and Ballarat.

This grant will help fund the salary of a Partnership Manager, one of three part-time fundraising staff responsible for securing the funding required to deliver the organisation’s services across Victoria. The position will play a central role in securing the 54,000 items of infant equipment and clothing the group expects to distribute to families in the coming year.

 

2. Skyline Education Foundation Australia – Dandenong: $42,696

Skyline assists socially and financially disadvantaged, talented young people to step out of adversity and realise their full potential through education. Its program supports students through their final two years of secondary education by providing financial support, counselling and tutoring, leadership development, time management skills, study and exam preparation skills, and personal and career development opportunities.

Skyline has a near 100% success rate of students completing their secondary education and gaining entry to university. This grant will enable Skyline to expand its two-year Student Bursary Program to the Greater Dandenong region.

 

3. Fitted for Work – Metro Melbourne: $44,810

Fitted for Work’s mission is to help women experiencing disadvantage get work and keep it, ensuring long-term financial independence. Since 2005, the team of over 260 volunteers and 14 staff have assisted over 35,000 women to find sustainable employment. The group’s Connecting Women with Work Program builds participant’s confidence and self-esteem. Participants are involved in an intensive interview preparation workshop, a personal outfitting appointment and a career day. This grant will provide course materials for 170 women and contribute to salaries for the group’s dedicated and experienced Program Managers.

For more information about the Bank of Melbourne Neighbourhood Fund or to apply for grants of up to $50,000 in 2018 funding rounds, visit bankofmelbourne.com.au/neighbourhoodfund.

 

Media enquiries

Bridget Crowe
Corporate Affairs
0407 963 549
bridget.crowe@bankofmelbourne.com.au