Since establishment in 1964 as a local credit union, the Nova Alliance Bank has provided grants and incentives to a variety of local charities.

However, this year the group decided to expand their grant program, especially in wake of COVID-19 which affected so many local initiatives and their ability to raise funds organically.

This year, five local charities each received a grant of $5,000 to help support a program that directly benefits their community.

The organisations Nova Alliance Bank supported include:

• ConnectAbility – to support the cost of transportation supplied to ConnectAbility customers, including the older community, children and youth and people living with a disability.
• Got Your Back Sista – to conduct a monthly Feast with Friends (I Cook to Say NO to Domestic Violence), a cooking initiative inviting the community to cook and create food with friends whilst learning the principles of using healthy and affordable ingredients.
• Hunter Breast Cancer Foundation (HMF) – to develop a virtual women’s wellness hub, providing specialised exercise programs, virtual support groups and meditation and mindfulness programs for local women impacted by breast cancer.
• Hunter Melanoma Foundation – to purchase sunscreen that will be provided free to the communit yas part of the organisation’s commitment to check and protect.
• Soul Cafe – to enable Soul Cafe to continue to support the lives of vulnerable people in Newcastle through initiatives such as free meals.

Nova Alliance Bank CEO, David Franklin, said that the Board, with the support of staff and members, agreed to expand the grant program.

“There is no doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic has thrown many challenges to our community, particularly in the not-for-profit sector,” David said.

“This year we decided to increase our support and provide five organisations within our community with a grant.

“Each grant provides additional financial support to projects so that they can operate within their communities.”

Hunter Melanoma Foundation (HMF) Executive Officer, Claudia Tolhurst was extremely grateful for the support of the Nova grant in helping HMF purchase sunscreen that will be provided free to the community.

“With summer right around the corner we want to ensure everyone is protecting themselves from the sun and through Nova’s generous contribution, we have been able to purchase more than 1000 tubes of sun screen that will be available free to our community,” Claudia said.

Nova Mutual CEO, David Franklin and Nova Mutual Director, Rosalie Taggart presented each charity with a cheque at the Nova Alliance Bank office last month.

“This was a great opportunity to hear about the wonderful work that each charity does within the Hunter and although they are very different in their causes, they are similar in their dedication to our local community,” David concluded.

IMAGE | Director of Nova Alliance Bank, Rosalie Taggart and CEO of Nova Alliance Bank, David Franklin.