Not-for-profit charities have until the end of June to apply for funding through the IMB Bank Community Foundation. Update: Application deadline extended to 5pm Friday, 15 July. 

Since 1999, IMB Bank Community Foundation has donated over $11m to more than 800 community groups and projects focusing on disaster relief, education, health care, sports and recreation, arts and culture, aged care, and many other services. 

As an example of what has been funded locally through this program, in 2021 the Lions Club of Kiama successfully applied to buy a ute to help with its Return and Earn program. This Lions Club initiative collects cans and bottles from businesses, events and wedding venues and returns them to a recycling centre so they can bank the funds.

Only a few Lions Club members had vehicles large enough to tow the trailer to collect these items, so this new ute has come in very handy. It also enables the Lions Club to transport equipment to meet local needs such as fundraising activities and emergencies.

Other Illawarra groups to receive funding previously include: the Illawarra Flame Tree Project, a music and cultural program for talented Illawarra vocal students (Years 3 to 8); Shoalhaven Heads Native Botanic Garden to buy a defibrillator; and Goats Creek Longboarders, a group acting to maintain health and wellbeing as well as being role models for young people in Port Kembla, bought two gazebos to use for events.

"Over the years, IMB Bank's Community Foundation has played an important role in providing financial support to communities in the South Coast region,” says IMB Bank CEO Robert Ryan.

"We are now calling for people and groups who are taking action to improve the lives of others to come forward and apply for IMB Bank Community Foundation funding.”

Applications close Thursday June 30. Application deadline extended to 5pm Friday, 15 July. 

Apply online at

https://www.imb.com.au/community