Carrie's Place is tackling domestic violence and homelessness in the Maitland and Hunter area of NSW, with a $120,000 surprise CommBank Community Grant. The funding will help provide essential services including child-minding services for women in group support programs - giving them the time and space to heal, knowing their children are in safe and trusted care.
This year's CommBank Community Grants program has delivered $4 million in funding to 175 community organisations across Australia - supporting causes from youth development and education to disaster relief and mental health. As part of this national initiative, five standout regional charities that applied for $20,000 grants, were instead surprised with $120,000 donations.
Carrie's Place joins Feel the Magic, St Helens Neighbourhood House, Queensland Youth Services and Farm Angels, each doing vital work to strengthen and support their respective communities. The additional funding recognises the powerful role these organisations play in helping people thrive, often working one-on-one with those in need, and the greater impact they can make when given the resources to do more.
Nathan Barker, Head of Community Investment at CommBank, said: "Regional charities play a vital role in strengthening their communities. These additional grants will help them reach more people where support is needed most. It's rewarding to see how our employees' nominations and regular salary donations are enabling this important work - across everything from supporting vulnerable families to building resilience in rural areas."
In FY25 alone, the Community Grants program has awarded $4 million to 175 local organisations to help strengthen and build brighter communities across Australia. The CommBank Staff Foundation funds the Community Grants program with employees regularly donating from their salary each week, which is then matched by CommBank. For more than 17 years the Community Grants program has awarded over $30 million to worth community organisations, building on CommBank's long-standing workplace giving culture which dates back to 1917.
For the full list of grant recipients, visit: commbank.com.au/communitygrants
Go to CBA Newsroom for the latest news and announcements from Commonwealth Bank.
