9 August 2024

A big welcome to our first update under the People First Bank Foundation banner. And, to our newly renamed newsletter, Pulse.

We’re excited to build on the legacy of the Heritage Bank Charitable Foundation and continue our commitment to improving the wellbeing of communities across Australia.

By harnessing the collective strength of the People First Bank community, and team members from Heritage Bank and People’s Choice, we’re out there making a real difference. With that said, it’s all systems go at the Foundation, so let’s jump into it!

Celebrating our biggest year yet

Every year the Foundation continues to grow, and so does our impact!

Last financial year we recorded our biggest year to date, donating $300,164 to 29 amazing charities to support people in need.

It was also exciting to see the increased geographic footprint of the Foundation with our funding predominantly helping people in South Australia, Queensland, Northern Territory and New South Wales.

We are tremendously honoured to be in a position to support the tireless work of our dedicated charity partners. It is extremely rewarding to witness the positive impact they are
having on the communities they support.

More than a grant

From the very beginning, we’ve taken a holistic approach, providing our charity partners with more than just financial assistance.

With the generous support of People First Bank and its employees, we’re grateful to receive feedback like this showing we are on the right track!

“Extending beyond the program and financial support, Heritage Bank has been one of our most involved partners, which strongly demonstrates their care and commitment to the community. It’s one thing to donate money – and another to donate time! We deeply appreciate Heritage Bank committing to volunteering at our programs and events, and also inviting us to speak in a room of well-connected individuals, helping to open doors for us for future funding, sponsorship, and partnership opportunities. It’s these connections that we are so grateful for and that we don’t always see from funders.”
~ Little Dreamers

“We are truly appreciative of the support of the support from the Heritage Bank [Charitable] Foundation. The financial contribution has made a real difference in the lives of children and families in the bush. We feel like with Heritage, it’s not just a cheque to help us, but that we share a common love for bush communities and want to give back where we can. Thanks for being a part of our work!”

~ Outback Futures

Volunteering

Last financial year we saw a dramatic increase in the number of volunteering hours People First Bank employees provided to many of the charities we support.  The Foundation facilitated 433.5 volunteering hours between 10 different charities with over 120 People First employees participating.

We would like to highlight two special volunteering opportunities.

Raise Foundation

The Raise Foundation was the recipient of this year’s $50,000 Heritage and People’s Choice grant.  This funding supports their 20 week early-intervention mentoring program which matches young people in high schools with volunteer mentors from the community.

This year there are seven People First Bank team members who are now mentoring for Raise in Queensland and South Australia. 

A big thanks to People First Bank for extending their two day per year volunteering leave policy to specifically allow employees to participate in this mentoring program.  

Eat Up Australia

This year we set a goal with Eat Up to contribute 5,000 sandwiches to their school lunch program on top of the $15,000 Growing Stronger Communities grant they received.  Teams turned up in force for volunteer sandwich making sessions in Brisbane, Darwin and Gympie and we estimate that figure has already been well and truly reached!

Community at Heart Appeal 2024

Our third Community at Heart Appeal opens on 12 August! 

Last year the appeal supported Zephyr Education and collected 207 lunchboxes and 374 water bottles.

This year we’ve upped the ante by supporting two amazing charities.

Zephyr Education – In Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Northen Territory we will collect water bottles and school lunchboxes for children starting a new school as a result of domestic violence.

Backpacks 4 SA Kids - In South Australia, we will collect pyjamas for children and young people who have become displaced from their homes often as a result of a trauma and with little to no personal belongings.

Both of these organisations struggle to gather enough of these respective items to meet the needs of the children they support. So, our aim is to collect as many new lunch boxes, water bottles and PJ’s as possible. 

The appeal opens on Monday 12 August and closes on Friday 16 August 2024

How to get involved:

• Donate needed goods at any People’s Choice or Heritage Bank branch.
• Make a donation to the appeal at:http://www.givenow.com.au/cah2024

This is a great opportunity to come together as a collective to showcase what having community at heart can achieve.

__________________________________________________

This publication is intended only to provide an information service on matters of interest to readers. Statements are based upon facts and information believed to be accurate, reliable and current as at the date of the publication.  Information may change without notice. It has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider obtaining independent legal, financial and taxation advice before acting on this information. Some of the information provided in this document has been created with the support of our charity partners. The People First Bank Charitable Foundation has relied on the charity partner for it’s accuracy.