Groups’ social initiatives boosted by grants

EIGHT not-for-profit organisations are benefiting from Ballarat Connected Communities’ latest round of project grant funding.

Eureka Gymnastics, the Ballarat Foundation, Kids Foundation, Victoria Bowling Club, Ballarat Football Umpires Association, Meals for Change, HiveMind Community Apiary and SpringFest have all received boosts up to $5000 for impactful, social community initiatives.

CEO and founder of the KIDS Foundation, Dr Susie O’Neill is “thrilled” that money allocated to her charity will further assist the provision of resources and support for young people.

“Children in our recovery programs have horrific injuries and trauma caused by burns, accidents, dog attacks, crime, neglect, abuse and environmental events,” she said.

Groups submitted applications linked to one of BCC’s grant categories; youth, arts and culture, disability, community events, health and wellbeing, sport, community services, and environment.

COVID-19 financial assistance packages have been given to 11 organisations, including Ballarat Pony Club, to assist operations during the challenging pandemic climate.

President, Susan Atkinson said the club grant will help pay for the ongoing maintenance of their 40-acre facility at Victoria Park, including grass mowing.

“As the club cannot hold Pony Club rallies, competitions or clinics, there is no form of revenue coming in to assist us in maintaining our club grounds, enabling us to successfully come back after COVID,” she said.

“We are supporters of the Bendigo Bank and love to see how much generosity they have for their local communities and not-for-profit clubs.”

AAA Sports, Ballarat & District Railway Club, Ballarat & District Gem Club, Sovereign Knights, Avicultural Society, Ballarat City Football Club, BROSH, Friends of Ballarat Botanical Gardens, Flashdrive Beyond the Classroom, and Pay it Forward have been supported.

Ballarat Connected Communities is an independent charitable body overseeing grants supplied by the city’s three Bendigo Bank branches, and awards money to groups coordinating projects socially benefiting the area multiple times annually.

Organisations within Ballarat interested in the next round in mid-February of next year can keep up-to-date and source more information via ballaratconnectedcommunities.com.au.