As Community Bank Pinewood (CBP) marks its 20th year, the team celebrates putting $1.3 million back into the Monash community.
A part of the Bendigo Bank, CBP has been supporting local people, community groups, sporting clubs and organisations through grants, sponsorships and donations since its inception in 2002. CBP gives away $70,000 to $100,000 a year with the annual Pitch It program being the largest of its funding opportunities. Participants must go through an application process and selected finalists have the opportunity to pitch their community project to peers, local Pitch Partner businesses, CBP Directors and staff for a share in up to $60,000.
“It’s a diverse cultural team here that reflects the Monash community.
– Chairman Robert Davies.
Chairman Robert Davies said health and wellbeing projects had proven to be popular with Monash Children’s Hospital’s internal radio station, Radio Lollipop, being a successful and regular recipient of Pitch Night funds.
“It’s all volunteers helping children who are in need or in distress,” Mr Davies said. “What better (group) to help than somebody who is helping children.”
The ‘Pitch It’ Community Grants Program began at Community Bank Pinewood six years ago and has grown quickly since then. Mr Davies said it was a combined effort, with other Monash businesses (Pitch Partners) now contributing to the project.
In addition, the bank sponsors local sporting clubs, including AFL, cricket, soccer, bowls and tennis clubs along with local community groups. With a multicultural, multi-lingual team, CBP recently opened a sales office in Melbourne’s CBD to help build a relationship with the ethnic Chinese community.
“We have a few directors on the board who have a Chinese ethnic background and who wanted to do more for that community,” Mr Davies said. “It’s a diverse cultural team here that reflects the Monash community. In particular, the branch staff are multicultural and cohesive. It allows us to relate to a broader customer base. People of all backgrounds are welcome to do their banking with us.
Community Bank Pinewood celebrated its 20th milestone with a branch party and a formal celebration at Mulgrave Country Club.
