In its 25th anniversary year, the IMB Community Foundation has announced funding for another 58 diverse community projects across Australia.
These include four grassroots projects across Newcastle and the Hunter: Soul Hub Newcastle’s Community Mentoring and Guest Volunteer Program, The LIVEfree Project’s INSPIRE Women’s Program, Angel Gowns for Australian Angel Babies’ Freight for Angels, and the Lake Macquarie Suicide Prevention & Support Network for Volunteer Connect.
This brings the total number of grassroots initiatives supported since the Foundation’s inception to over 1,000, and grants provided to over $12 million.
This year’s grants will benefit communities in the Illawarra, NSW South Coast, Canberra, Southern Highlands, Greater Sydney, Newcastle and Hunter, and Victoria. IMB Bank CEO Robert Ryan says funding from the IMB Community Foundation is the financial lifeline needed to help local community heroes continue their important work.
“For 25 years, IMB Bank has been privileged to play our part in supporting thousands of community heroes through our Foundation. We’ve seen firsthand how this funding transforms lives and communities and at a time when many community organisations are facing financial strain, the importance to support them is greater than ever,” Robert said.
“What stands out this year is the diversity of projects we’re supporting – each addressing important and varied needs within their communities. From innovative social programs and critical environmental efforts to cultural enrichment and cutting-edge educational initiatives, it’s truly inspiring to witness the breadth of impact these projects will have,” Robert added.
Jann Gardner, IMB Community Foundation Chair, said the Foundation’s 25-year journey has been one of profound impact.
“Over the past 25 years, we’ve watched with pride as projects we have funded have grown, flourished, and created lasting positive change.
“It’s humbling to think of the countless lives touched and communities strengthened through these initiatives, and as we mark this significant milestone, we’re not just celebrating our past recipients; we’re recommitting our financial support for grass roots community groups and their changemakers for years to come.”
“The Soul Hub Community Mentoring and Guest Volunteer Program is all about creating connections and building capacity within our community. Thanks to the IMB Community Foundation grant, we can expand our program to support more individuals through their personal growth journey while fostering a stronger, more connected Hunter region,” Matthew Ortiger, General Manager of Broadmeadow-based non-profit, Soul Hub, a 2024 IMB Community Foundation grant recipient, said.
In 2024, the IMB Community Foundation identified and funded a diverse array of projects that span six key areas of community need and development:
- Social: Projects that mentor and empower men and women in our communities, build inclusion, diversity and equity, inspire the young, and support the disadvantaged and vulnerable.
- Environmental: Initiatives that improve the environment, regenerate habitats, encourage recycling, recover from disaster and adopt sustainable energy.
- Cultural: Programs that nurture culture and recognise and preserve heritage and history.
- Educational: Helping individuals acquire skills, break free and embrace new challenges, and support mental and physical health and wellbeing.
- Community Development: Projects that enhance community experiences, deliver economic and social benefits, and develop community assets supporting shared prosperity.
- Community Connection: Initiatives that bring communities together, connecting residents, businesses, the vulnerable and volunteers for mutual benefit.
The 2024 grant recipients are provided below, and you may explore more about these projects here along with many other inspirational initiatives over 25 years.
IMAGE | Soul Hub Newcastle wins
