Call for Proposals: Community Investment 2027 (Australia)

Deadline: 11-Jun-2027

The Community Investment 2027 program supports eligible Australian organisations and groups through sponsorship arrangements for events, activities, individuals and organisations within the Greater Geraldton region and surrounding districts. Delivered by Community Bank Geraldton, the programme is part of the bank’s ongoing commitment to supporting local initiatives and building mutually beneficial partnerships across the community. Sponsorship can be provided through money, goods or services, with recipients expected to provide benefits back to the sponsor. Unlike a traditional grant programme, Community Investment is based on a reciprocal sponsorship relationship. Applicants should therefore demonstrate not only how their initiative will benefit the local community but also how the partnership can provide clear business acquisition outcomes and increased community engagement opportunities for Community Bank Geraldton. Purpose of the Community Investment Program The Community Investment 2027 programme is designed to strengthen relationships between Community Bank Geraldton and organisations operating in the Greater Geraldton region.

The programme aims to:

- Support local events and activities. - Strengthen community connections. - Build mutually beneficial partnerships. - Provide sponsorship to eligible organisations and groups. - Support individuals and organisations involved in local initiatives. - Increase Community Bank Geraldton’s community engagement. - Generate clear business acquisition opportunities for the bank. The programme therefore considers both community benefit and the value of the proposed sponsorship relationship. What Sponsorship Support Is Available? Sponsorship can be provided in different forms depending on the proposed partnership.

Support may include:

- Money. - Goods. - Services.

Sponsorship can be associated with:

- Events. - Activities. - Individuals. - Organisations. Applicants should clearly explain what support they are seeking and how the sponsorship will contribute to the proposed initiative. How the Sponsorship Relationship Works The Community Investment programme is structured around a reciprocal relationship between the recipient and Community Bank Geraldton. Recipients are expected to provide a service or benefit back to the sponsor. This can include opportunities such as: - Advertising. - Event tickets. - Other agreed promotional or engagement benefits. The purpose of this arrangement is to create a partnership that benefits both the sponsored organisation and Community Bank Geraldton. Applicants should therefore explain what they can offer the bank in return for the requested sponsorship. Business Acquisition Outcomes One of the most important requirements of the Community Investment programme is that the sponsored initiative must demonstrate clear business acquisition outcomes for Community Bank Geraldton. This means applicants should not focus only on the community benefits of their project. They should also demonstrate how the partnership could create opportunities for the bank to engage with potential customers or strengthen its local business presence. A proposal should clearly explain the potential connection between: - The initiative’s audience. - Community Bank Geraldton’s engagement. - Promotional or partnership opportunities. - Potential customer or business acquisition. - Increased community visibility for the bank. Projects that cannot demonstrate clear business acquisition outcomes will not be considered. Who Can Apply? Eligible applicants must meet the programme’s organisational and banking requirements.

Applicants must be:

- Australian organisations or groups. - Organisations or groups with a valid Australian Business Number (ABN). - Current customers of Community Bank Geraldton or willing to open an account. - Organisations with a registered Community Bank Geraldton account matching the organisation’s name. Funding will only be paid into the eligible Community Bank Geraldton account. Community Bank Geraldton Account Requirement A specific banking requirement applies to successful applicants. The organisation must have a registered Community Bank Geraldton account in the same name as the organisation. Applicants who are not currently customers must be willing to open an account if required. Sponsorship funding will only be paid into the eligible Community Bank Geraldton account. Applicants should therefore ensure that their banking arrangements meet this requirement before relying on the sponsorship funding. Location Requirement The sponsored initiative must be located within the Greater Geraldton region and surrounding districts. Applicants should demonstrate a clear local connection and explain how the sponsored event, activity or initiative will contribute to the local community. Projects outside the programme’s geographic area are not eligible. Uniforms and Equipment Requests for uniforms and equipment are subject to a specific funding limit. Sponsorship requests for uniforms and equipment are capped at a maximum of $1,000. Applicants requesting support for these purposes should ensure that the amount sought does not exceed this limit. Who Is Not Eligible? Certain applicants and sponsorship situations are excluded from the programme. Applications will not be considered where: - The organisation is sponsored by a competitor financial institution. - The organisation has another financial institution as a sponsor. - The proposed initiative does not demonstrate clear business acquisition outcomes for Community Bank Geraldton. - The organisation receives an unsatisfactory result from an Anti Money Laundering/Know Your Customer search. Applicants should therefore review their existing sponsorship relationships and compliance status before submitting a request. Competitor Financial Institution Sponsorship Organisations that have another financial institution as a sponsor are not eligible. This requirement is particu