Night to spark innovative ideas

COMMUNITY Bank Buninyong is providing the public with a chance to have innovative ideas funded.

The SparkTank initiative, which launched this week, will allow groups to get a share of up to $50,000 of funding.

“This is an extension of our existing community investment program,” said Sam Elshaug, communications lead at Community Bank Buninyong.

“This is a program that’s already seen over $2 million returned to meaningful community projects and organisations over the last 13 years.”

An event, to be held in November at the Buninyong Town Hall, will provide community groups with a chance to pitch their idea to get a share of funding.

“In terms of projects that we are interested in, we are not going to be too prescriptive about that at this stage,” said Ms Elshaug.

“What we are asking groups to consider applying for is innovative projects, creative projects, projects that are very different from stock standard club sponsorship.

“We’re looking for impactful projects that groups can resource and ideally deliver in about a 12-month period.”

The evening is designed to also be an opportunity for the local community to come together and have some fun.

“We’re hoping that it won’t just be attended by groups on their own but also by the broader community to be part of the audience,” said Ms Elshaug.

“Groups can get quite creative in how they present and how they pitch to really engage the audience.”

Interested groups can attend an information session on Monday 15 July and applications will be open for eight weeks.

“What we are really trying to do is encourage groups to start thinking early about projects and to flag the 15th of July to come along,” said Kelly Bevan, community partnerships lead at Community Bank Buninyong.

“Because of numbers there will be a maximum of two people per organisation who can attend that session.”

To find out more about this session and to register interest in the event, visit bit.ly/3RD6DZZ. More information can be found out sparktank.org.au.