Heritage Bank Charitable Foundation opens applications for charities to share $137,000 in grants  

The Heritage Bank Charitable Foundation today opened applications for its latest round of grants, offering a massive total of $137,000 in funding for eligible charities, including one new grant worth $50,000.

The Foundation has introduced the new “Heritage and People's Choice Grant”, giving charities an extraordinary opportunity to apply for a $50,000 boost to support their inspiring work within the community.

This new grant celebrates the successful merger between Heritage Bank and People’s Choice Credit Union and recognises both organisations’ long history of community support. 

Also up for grabs are the $27,000 Our Shout Workplace Giving Grant targeting health care services for vulnerable Australians; and four $15,000 Growing Stronger Communities Grants.

Foundation Executive Officer Paul Olds said, “It’s so rewarding to see the generosity of our supporters directly translate into more money being distributed through our grants program. The more financial support we can provide the greater impact our charity partners can achieve.”

Mr Olds said the introduction of a new grant was a big step forward for the Foundation at a time when many charitable organisations are facing unprecedented financial challenges.

“The Heritage and People's Choice Grant is our largest grant to date and provides a fantastic opportunity for the Heritage and People’s Choice team to engage with and support organisations that support the same communities they serve,” Mr Olds said.

“From day one we said we wanted to be more than just a cheque book, and we hope this grant will create a butterfly effect, leading to more volunteering and opportunities for awareness,” Mr Olds said. 

Mr Olds said launching a new great grant round was extremely gratifying and anticipated many amazing and incredibly worthy submissions.

“Whether r not they are selected for this grant round, we would like to thank the charities in advance for taking the time to apply and let them know we value the contribution they make to the community,” Mr Olds said.

A total of six grants are available in the fourth grant round:  

Heritage and People’s Choice Grant $50,000 

One grant will support an existing program of a people-focussed charity that works across the majority of Heritage and People’s Choice footprint in Queensland, South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria and the Northern Territory.

The Our Shout Workplace Giving Grant $27,000

One grant with a focus on health care services for vulnerable Australians and their families.

Growing Stronger Communities Grants $15,000 each

Four grants at $15,000 each, focusing on one or more of the following areas:

• Positive educational and alternative pathways to help at-risk children and teenagers;  
• Health care services for vulnerable Australians and their families; and
• Support for the economic and social wellbeing of people in regional, rural and remote communities, including in times of natural disasters.

Eligible not-for-profit organisations can apply and view full details of eligibility on our application page.

Applications for this round of grants open today and close on Friday, 29 September 2023.

The Foundation will notify the successful recipients in early November 2023.