NOVA Alliance Bank invests in positive social change with latest grant round

NOVA Alliance Bank invests in positive social change with latest grant round

With community and customers at the bedrock of their mission, NOVA Alliance Bank have again supported local community groups and charities in their latest grant round of $40,000 in funding.

Since their establishment in 1964 as a local credit union, NOVA Alliance Bank has proudly supported a range of local charities with their grant program.

In recent years, seeing the affect COVID-19 has had on society, NOVA Alliance Bank has upped the ante to include local groups who are promoting positive changes within the community.

This year seven local groups and charities each received a personalised grant to help support a program that directly benefits the community.

The groups and charities who received these grants includes:

  • Ronald McDonald House Charities (Newcastle)– receiving funding to support sick kids and their families as they try to wind down and relax during their stay. The Quiet Room located in the Ronald McDonald Family Room at the John Hunter Children’s Hospital, offers a place for kids and their families to take a break from treatment and enjoy some one-on-one time.
  • Hunter Breast Cancer Foundation – receiving a grant to support breast cancer patients and survivors with their wellness program.
  • Hunter Prostate Cancer Alliance (HPCA) /ProCare – for the continuing support in spreading awareness for prostate cancer patients with their free counselling services.
  • Soul Café – Funding to help the team upgrade their computer systems, which will help empower their volunteers and team at large to provide further support to vulnerable people in the community.
  • Hunter Melanoma (HMF) – receiving funding to support their Spot Check Program, dedicated to providing free skin checks and supplying sunscreen samples in the community to ensure the early detection and prevention of skin cancer.
  • ConnectABILITY – receiving funding to help provide ongoing transport support and required resources for aged and disabled people in the community.
  • Got Your Back Sista – the grant will go towards the running of their grassroots cooking program, Feast with Friends. This program is dedicated to teaching people who are living on or below the poverty line how to cook nutritious food on a budget.

NOVA Alliance Bank CEO, David Franklin, said that the Board with the support of staff and members agreed that providing personalised grants to support local community programs was an important but vital change to this year’s grant structure.

“With the devastation of COVID-19, we re-evaluated our grants program to determine how we could make a difference that counted,” David said.

“Instead of providing a fixed grant to all recipients, we took the time to evaluate each program, the resources required, and the funds that would see the best possible social outcomes.

“We are hopeful that these personalised grants will not only help community groups and charities to drive positive change in the community, but to inspire others to do the same.”

Got Your Back Sista Founder & CEO, Melissa Histon expressed deep gratitude towards NOVA Alliance Bank for allowing them to run their grassroots cooking program, Feast with Friends.

“COVID-19 has been an even more isolating time for the domestic violence victims in our community. More than ever, we are so grateful to those who help us support people in these unfortunate circumstances,” Melissa said.

“This grant will go directly towards our Feast with Friends program, offering victims of domestic violence who are living at or below the poverty line a chance to cook nutritious food on a budget.

“With this grant we will be able to buy a new commercial oven and provide an opportunity to put food on the table. Most importantly, we will be able to also reinstate independence and confidence to those in the community wo need it most.”

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, NOVA Alliance Bank CEO, David Franklin and Director, Rosalie Taggart presented each cheque to grant recipients virtually.

“Despite the restrictions we faced, we felt it necessary to go ahead with formalities virtually and award these cheques to our grant recipients,” David said.

“We look forward to personally visiting the Charity groups once the restrictions are lifted, congratulating them on the vital work they perform within our local community.”

In addition to their grants program, NOVA Alliance Bank host an annual ‘Do Good Awards’, which is dedicated to standing together against tragedy, and rewarding those in the community who present bravery and generosity against all adversity.

NOVA Alliance Bank plans to bring this award program back in 2022 and to continue this initiative alongside their successful grants program.

IMAGE | Hunter Melanoma Foundation’s Spot Check Program, a recipient of the Nova Alliance Bank 2021 grants funding.

Nova Alliance Bank

NOVA Alliance Bank is Australia’s first 100% independent, member-owned social enterprise banks that, through the business of banking, invest their profits in initiatives that support members and seek to generate positive social outcomes within their communities.

 

Now, more than ever before, our community purpose can effect real positive change through the strength of Bendigo and Adelaide Bank and Alliance Bank® Partner investments in their members and communities.

 

In 1964 we began as Hunter Water Board Employees Credit Union and later merged with Newcastle Herald Employees Credit Union, so a co-operative philosophy has always been at the centre of everything we do. Today, through an alliance with Bendigo and Adelaide Bank, we have become Nova Alliance Bank®.

Trending Articles

Advertise with us

Affordable and engaging advertising to a business community

Submit an article

Tell your story to the Hunter business community

Does your business need a little help with its marketing?

Marketing strategies