Community connected and funded

MANY varying projects and initiatives of not-for-profits will be eligible for the latest round of Ballarat Connected Communities’ grants.

Awarding $15,000 in their inaugural round of funding last year to a Christmas event, athletic program, harm and trauma prevention sessions and more, BCC is offering grants up to $5000.

Eligible groups will work in the areas of youth, arts and culture, community events, health and wellbeing, sport, community services, environment, and disability services.

Chair of BCC, Cameron Montgomery said funding comes from “generous” bank customers, so the program can run with the help of “locals, for locals.”

“Customers who choose to link their Bendigo Bank accounts to BCC have created a central, sustainable funding model for projects in their community,” he said.

“There is no change to the way in which customer accounts operate, but it does provide a very simple way for customers to support charitable activities.

“All our funding comes from Bendigo Bank, who pay a commission to our organisation when locals tag their account with BCC.”

BCC gives funds to a broad range of local organisations twice a year, and launched last October.

An independent charitable body overseeing grants supplied by the city’s three Bendigo Bank branches, BCC will help award money to groups coordinating projects that socially benefit the area.

Applications close Tuesday, 31 March. Visit ballaratconnectedcommunities.com.au to apply and find more information.