20 June 2019
Feeding homeless and at-risk youth; promoting career opportunities within the dairy industry; and mobilising refugee women through cycling programs are just some of the worthy causes in the ACT which today were awarded a share of $700,000 from the IMB Bank Community Foundation.
The donations were given to nine not-for-profit groups across the ACT and surrounding regions, and were announced at the 20th anniversary IMB Bank Community Foundation launch event at the National Gallery of Australia.
Recipients included Canberra PCYC (funding for a purpose-built mobile food and information trailer for at-risk and homeless youth), Cows Create Careers (Dairy Australia’s career education program), St John’s Ambulance Australia ACT (funding for a sturdy all-terrain wheelchair and Patient Transport Cart); Neighbourhood Watch Australasia ACT (funding to translate safety brochures into Iraqi, Sudanese, Eritrean, Afghan and Myanmar); Girls on Bikes ACT (a free learn to cycle program mobilising and connecting migrant and refugee women); My Coaching My Future Inc. (a program promoting financial security for victims of domestic violence); Girl Guides Association of NSW (Queanbeyan’s High Ropes for Girl Guides program); Giralang/Kaleen Men's Shed (funding for first aid officers for the elderly community), and the Canberra Model Railway Club (Youth Mastering Digital Technology education program).
Cheryl O’Donnell from Canberra PCYC said the trailer will be invaluable in their work to create pathways for a better future for people living on the streets:
“The trailer will not only provide hot food and drinks, it will serve as a mobile resource and referral service to get people into a safe place and on the path to a better life. It will operate year-round – throughout Canberra’s cold winters and beyond – to create opportunities for disadvantaged members of the community.”
Now in its 20th year, the ICF has donated over $10 million to communities where IMB Bank operates in Sydney, the Illawarra, Southern Highlands, South Coast, Victoria and the ACT. In the ACT and surrounding regions, the ICF has supported over 100 projects with $1million of funding since it was established in 1999.
IMB Bank CEO Robert Ryan praised the 2019 recipients and thanked them for their dedication and determination to assist in the communities in which they live.
“As we mark 20 years of community funding, it is an honour to reflect on the partnerships we have formed with people and organisations in the community who dedicate their time and effort to creating a better life for others.
“IMB Bank is proud to be associated with them and we look forward to another 20 years of supporting community initiatives,” said Mr Ryan.
The IMB Bank Community Foundation had a record-breaking number of projects apply for funding in 2019, its 20th year of operation.
“The Foundation committee visits each shortlisted project to assess them and we are always humbled and amazed at the dedication and commitment of community members to help others,” said Mr Ryan.
“It is a real pleasure to be able to allocate funds to these organisations announced today, so they can continue to grow and develop their resources,” he said.