SparkTank will bring the spark
SparkTank is a brand-new program we’ve introduced to distribute community investment funding to community groups. It’s designed to complement our year-round program and SparkTank will bring a sense of excitement, pizazz and fun for everyone.
How does it work?
We’re calling all community groups in the greater Ballarat region to apply for funding through our SparkTank program. We have up to $50,000* to distribute on the one night, and it’s going to be fun!
Essentially, we’re looking for great ideas, bold ideas, innovative ideas that your community group can bring to life with our support.
1. Get the band together and start thinking big. Yep, big and bold!
2. Develop your project by scoping the purpose, impact, what’s involved, your budget, resourcing, delivery timeframes.
3. Submit your application online. Applications are open from 15 July to 8 September 2024.
4. Our Assessment Team will review all applications and select approximately ten final organisations to pitch live at the SparkTank event on 12 November.
5. The SparkTank finalists will pitch live to an all-of-community event at the Buninyong Town Hall on Tuesday 12 November where we’ll announce up to $50,000* of funding. We’ll also be encouraging community participation on the night.
Who should apply?
Your group should simply be a local community organisation doing good things in our community and with a great project proposal.
You may be a for-purpose, NFP or community group registered as an incorporated association. You may have an ABN, but not compulsory. Alternatively, you may seek a registered group to auspice your project.
Your group should be made up of volunteers and go about making impact in the community we all live. This includes the greater Ballarat region.
More specifically, you should have an exciting impact project that you can resource and deliver in the period December 2024 to December 2025 (approx. 12 months).
Community Group Information Session
Come along to our SparkTank Information Session to learn more about this program and how you can get your hands on a share of $50,000*.
We’ll be talking about our community investment program, where funds come from, how to apply and we’ll run a forum for questions. If time permits, we can workshop ideas from participants.
When: Monday 15 July 2024
Time: 7pm
Where: Buninyong Community House (Emery Room)
This session will be recorded and you can re-watch it here afterwards.
*Please note, only community groups can apply. Funding cannot be distributed to individuals. Applications are subject to assessment. Funding is not guaranteed. Terms and conditions apply. Visit Frequently Asked Questions for more details.
Where does funding come from?
Our company Buninyong & District Financial Services Ltd, operates a franchise of Bendigo Bank, namely Community Bank Buninyong. The more customers we have, the more profit we can invest back into meaningful community projects. And, this is the primary purpose we exist – to build community.
Community banks are different as we operate independently and with the purpose of returning profits to our community.
We were established more than 13 years ago and we love being local. We’re an independent company with a Board of volunteer Directors and have a Franchise Agreement with Bendigo Bank, one of Australia’s largest and most trusted banks.
To date, we’ve distributed over $2,000,000 to community organisations just like yours delivering impactful projects for the betterment of our region.
Why support the community banking model?
For the model to work, we need you, your family, friends, neighbours and colleagues to support us. It’s as simple as that. We want to be your choice for a number of reasons.
We need to run a successful business in the first instance to do anything meaningful in the community. So, we openly operate with the intention of making a profit (like everyone else). However, the difference is what happens to that profit. Profits go back to community projects which is good for everyone. You’ll see infrastructure development, community assets, programs and more funded by Community Bank Buninyong.
Customers who support community banking feel good knowing they are supporting a model where everyone benefits, not just shareholders. It’s a win-win.
When customers realise we’re a force for good and the profit we make is returned to the exact community we all live, work and love, they feel good about their choice. We’re a social enterprise model at our core and we see the branch as the engine room to make it all happen.
And when it works, everyone not only wins, but feels great. Customers know they are contributing to a much bigger cause, community groups feel great delivering impactful projects and we love giving back to the community in a meaningful way.
For more information on us visit communitygrowshere.com.au
