BankSA Foundation launches search to find $150,000 charity partner

BankSA Foundation has opened its second only multi-year funding grant and is calling for expressions of interest from charitable organisations in need.

BankSA Foundation launched a three-year grant, its largest ever, in 2018 with inaugural recipient, Backpacks 4 SA Kids.

Now, at the halfway point in the partnership, Backpacks 4 SA Kids is working with more than 68 agencies to meet a service gap by providing Home Starter Packs of essential items to families starting over after fleeing domestic violence or the possibility of homelessness.

Home Starter Packs contain all the essential household items needed to start over and empower families to make a fresh start. One mum shared how the pack had a positive impact for her and her child: “When we left we stayed in a hotel for seven months before we could get housing and I was scared what would happen when we moved in,” she said.

“We received the Home Starter Pack and I just cried. My baby had a quilt and gorgeous quilt cover
and so did I, I could cook us meals and I had cleaning products to help me keep my house clean. All
the items that helped make our house a home”

The $150,000 BankSA Foundation grant will be welcome at a time when the not-for-profit sector is facing numerous challenges; natural disasters, devastating bush fires and COVID-19. The grant will allow one charity in South Australia or the Northern Territory to fund a crucial program or initiative that otherwise may not be possible over a three-year period.

BankSA Foundation Chair Nick Reade said the BankSA Foundation grant has been designed to provide a longer-term boost to small charitable organisations.

“This year has presented many challenges to the not-for-profit sector and we have already seen some of the ways our charity partners have adapted to continue support for the most vulnerable members of our communities,” said Reade.

“Ongoing funding uncertainty is a challenge for many charitable groups and we hope that our threeyear grant will enable work to occur that otherwise might not have proceeded due to short term funding restrictions,” he said. “We look forward to seeing some innovative projects, along with the valuable ongoing programs that charitable organisations work tirelessly to deliver on limited budgets. Projects and programs aimed at making a difference, aimed at creating positive social impact. We are excited to be able to back another small organisation and help our communities to emerge stronger.”

The recipient of the multi-year grant will be announced later this year after applications have been received and assessed over coming months, with BankSA Foundation planning to continue offering the grant every two years.

BankSA Foundation was started by bank employees during World War 2 to support the community through a time of great need. Nearly 80 years on, it continues to support South Australians through this latest time of need.

Pearl Dy

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Pearl Dy is a community manager and journalist. She is passionate about business and development particularly involving not-for-profits, charity and social entrepreneurship.

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