Peter Hille
20 years ago Bendigo community banks arose due to the major banks moving out of regional towns, so Bendigo Bank set up a different model in order to service these communities. Each community bank has its own board and shareholders and must reinvest 50% of its profits in the community. The Clifton Hill Fitzroy Branch has been in existence for 12 years and over this time has given $1.8m to the community.
When it comes to determining who gets the money, they try to strike a balance between the different groups and different needs of the community giving to all age groups. Often they have specific emphasis placed on a theme such as women/girls in sport. They are involved in the arts via the Gertrude Street Projection Festival and Brunswick Art Gallery. They fund literacy programs in needy schools, have been involved in Step up Down Syndrome.
Grants applications are excepted twice a year, in March and September (the facebook page advertises when grant applications are open).
In addition to assessing applications and giving funds on a reactive basis, they are also trying to be proactive in giving funds. Two and a half years ago they held a community forum to determine what the community needs, as a result of this:
- they have turned their board room into a community space that can be used by groups who need it.
- They have developed a connection between youth and employment
- they have developed a mentoring vocational network
- they have introduced a young change-makers program that introduces secondary school children philanthropy and puts them in charge of finding worthwhile causes.
The Community Branch is now able to work with the Carlton Branch and get assistance with funding projects from the corporate side of Bendigo Bank.
Peter sees the community bank and Rotary Clubs have a shared set of values and should be able to work together on local projects.