Grants to connect and fund community

VARYING not-for-profit projects and initiatives will be eligible for the third round of Ballarat Connected Communities’ grants.

Offering funding bundles up to $5000 to eligible groups working in the areas of youth, arts and culture, community events, health and wellbeing, sport, community services, environment, and disability services, BCC gives to local organisations twice a year.

BCC chair Cameron Montgomery said his team is thrilled to have the second 2020 grant process operational, having launched last October.

“This initiative is auspiced by the Bendigo Bank, always thinking of their local community and helping out where they can,” he said.

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

“These commissions are paid as part of the Bendigo Bank’s community engagement budget and are made at no cost to the Bendigo Bank customer, so the grants are essentially provided by locals for locals.”

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 local government area.

Learmonth Pony Club were a recipient in the March round, purchasing five adjoining three-panel yards for their facility at Alexander Park.

Applications close Monday, 17 August. Visit ballaratconnectedcommunities.com.au to apply and find more information.