Media Release

Eight local charities will each receive a grant of $10,000 in celebration of BankSA Foundation’s 80th year of supporting communities across South Australia and the Northern Territory.

BankSA State General Manager, Business and BankSA Foundation Ambassador, David Firth, said the Foundation has contributed millions of dollars to small local charities, and benefitted many thousands of people, over the past 80 years.

“Our staff are extremely proud to support the Foundation through regular payroll giving, which first began in 1941 when employees donated part of their wages to send comfort parcels to colleagues serving in the armed forces,” said Mr Firth.

“It seemed fitting that we celebrate this special milestone by doing what BankSA Foundation does best and help even more people in our community.

Many charitable organisations are still challenged by ongoing restrictions and losses resulting from COVID-19, so it’s particularly rewarding to be able to provide this additional funding to make a real difference in the lives of South Australians.

These special 80th birthday grants will provide a much-needed boost for charities facing additional funding pressure at a time when the most vulnerable members of our communities need extra support.

It is also an opportunity to shine a light on some of the incredible work being performed by these local charities each and every day.”

BankSA Foundation ‘80th birthday’ grant recipients:

1. Australian Lions Hearing Dogs: providing hearing assistance dogs to people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
2. Encounter Youth: providing alcohol and other drug education to South Australian young people.
3. Flinders Foundation: helping early detection of ear disease and hearing impairment in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in remote Ceduna.
4. Heartkids Limited: supporting families impacted by Childhood Heart Disease.
5. Lisa Fahey Foundation: providing financial support to South Australian cancer patients with dependent children who are experiencing financial hardship.
6. SPELD SA: supporting children and adults with specific learning difficulties.
7. Talk Out Loud Ltd: supporting youth and young adults with mental wellbeing programs to develop resilience and build positive life connections.
8. Youth Opportunities: creating opportunities for young people to develop lifelong skills, habits and confidence to thrive through personal leadership and wellbeing programs.

The one-off funding grants have been offered in addition to BankSA Foundation's Community Grants Program which provides grants of up to $50,000 each, with local charities invited to apply. The Foundation also provides a Multi-Year Grant of up to $150,000 over three years, giving organisations ongoing funding support to create positive community impact.

Earlier this year BankSA Foundation announced Community Grants for Sammy D Foundation and Habitat for Humanity totalling more than $67,000 to support youth projects across South Australia, with recipients from a second Community Grant Round in 2021 to be announced in December.

The Foundation’s Multi-Year funding is offered every second year, with the next Expression of Interest to occur in 2022. In 2018, inaugural recipient, Backpacks 4 SA Kids was awarded the funds to expand their Home Starter Pack Program. In 2020, Operations Flinders Foundation was granted $150,000 to support a new Individual Referral Program helping more young people to access their outdoor intervention program over the next three years.