Community projects in Geraldton set to receive bigger funding pool from Bendigo Bank

Support for projects around Geraldton have been given a boost by Bendigo Bank, as they announce a change to their funding model that has already benefitted the Mid West.

Previously supporting small grants up to $3000, the bank has significantly bumped up the funding pool.

Community groups can now apply for up to $100,000.

Grants director Emma McNerney said the bank was hoping to fund projects that might not necessarily be able to get support from government grants.

“We want to see some really impactful projects making a difference to the lives of people in the children in the Mid West,” she said.

The bank has been offering community grants for more than five years, but decided to reevaluate their funding model based on the profits they were receiving.

Since the grants were established, more than $1.7 million worth of Mid West projects have been funded by Bendigo Bank.

A recent benefactor of the change was GoSH Hackathon, a technology conference that brought 500 young people from across the Mid West together to learn about computer programming and other initiatives.

The community bank has provided $20,000 for GoSH to return to Geraldton for another two years.

A therapy garden at headspace Geraldton is another recipient of the new model.

“The garden’s not complete, but . . . that’s a really nice communal space for the youth to go and feel more comfortable talking than in a clinical setting,” Ms McNerney said.

Criteria include creating positive long-term growth in the community, collaboration, and using local resources.

The program will use a rolling model, without strict deadlines. Ms McNerney would encourage anyone interested in applying to reach out with any questions.

The smaller grants will still be available.