Giving back sits at the heart of the customer-owned banking model, reinvesting profits into initiatives that help local communities grow strong and thrive.
This International Day of Charity (September 5), we look at the ways three customer-owned banks across Australia are driving meaningful impact through focused partnerships with local charities and making a positive difference in their communities.
Queensland Country Bank
With a rich history of more than two decades, Queensland Country Bank’s Good for Good Community Grants provide a helping hand to community groups across Queensland.
Each year, eligible not-for-profit organisations can apply for funding of up to $30,000 to deliver projects that help Queenslanders live better, with grants supporting initiatives across sport and recreation, health, education, environment, and arts, culture and heritage.
Recent examples include: a $24,500 grant to Fuel for Schools to help provide children in Townsville and surrounding regions with much-needed meals and supplies; a $3,292 grant to Far North Queensland Wildlife Rescue to support volunteer wildlife carers with essential resources and training to help rescue and rehabilitate vulnerable native animals; and a $5,000 grant to Outback at Isa, funding a community mural led by Indigenous artist Barbara Sam to celebrate local culture and support youth mentorship through the arts.
In total, Queensland Country Bank has invested over $3.27 million towards community initiatives stretching from Stanthorpe to Cape York, the North West and the state’s regional heartland over the past 20 years.
Grant recipient COUCH Wellness Centre in Cairns
“Right across the state, our Good for Good Community Grants Program is just one of the many ways we stay connected to Queensland’s regional heartbeat,” explained Queensland Country Bank CEO, Aaron Newman.
Additionally, outside of the community grants program, the bank further supports charities through its workplace giving program, employee volunteer program, and partnership with Ronald McDonald House.
All this reflects the bank’s commitment to reinvesting profits back into products, services, and community initiatives.
“Our Good for Good grants use profits made from our banking business to put back into the community – so that the communities that support us can deliver on projects that support the community,” Mr Newman explained.
“Every community has passionate people working hard to make life better for others, and often all they need is a helping hand to turn a great idea into reality.”
Grant recipient Charters Towers Civic Club
The Good for Good Community Grants are all about backing those people and those projects, he added.
“Whether it’s upgrading community facilities, supporting health and wellbeing, improving access and inclusion, investing in young people or protecting the environment, we’re proud to help communities thrive,” he said.
Bank Orange
With its only branch and office located in Orange, Bank Orange remains deeply connected to the community it serves.
Since 2007, its Community Support Grants Program has supported over 200 community projects, provided funding to more than 130 organisations across Orange and the Central West, and contributed more than $550,000 in community grant funding.
The program recently transitioned from an annual to a monthly funding model, allowing the bank to support more community causes throughout the year.
One of these causes is Ashcroft’s IGA’s Let’s Make Better initiative, which launched just prior to winter and sees the supermarket donate food to Vinnies’ Hot Meals Van towards meals for people experiencing hardship in the Orange community.
The chicken coop at Molong Early Learning Centre
Bank Orange has also supported Molong Early Learning Centre, which used grant funding to build a chicken coop that gives children hands-on learning opportunities around sustainability, responsibility and food production.
Another partnership, now in its third year, is with the CSU Cockatoos Soccer Club/Saints FC, who applied for a grant to purchase equipment, uniforms and provide fee subsidies for the women’s soccer team to help make participation more accessible.
“Our members live, work and participate in the same community we do, so we often see the impact of these initiatives firsthand. Whether its supporting vulnerable community members, helping children learn and grow, increasing participation in local sport or backing community events, we can see the difference these projects make,” Tayla Harvey, Chief Customer Officer at Bank Orange, observed.
Volunteers with not-for-profit community food bank and rescue service FoodCare
As a customer-owned bank, Bank Orange’s approach is shaped by the needs of members and communities rather than being an external corporate initiative.
“Industry research shows customer-owned banks contribute a higher proportion of profits to community investment than Australia’s major banks. Supporting local organisations through initiatives such as the Community Support Grants Program is a practical demonstration of the customer-owned banking philosophy: local people supporting local communities and ensuring benefits remain within the region,” Harvey said.
Beyond Bank
Beyond Bank’s Community Grants Program supports not-for-profits, charities, social enterprises and community organisations tackling a wide range of challenges, from financial wellbeing and homelessness to mental health, disability inclusion and community connection.
In FY24/25, it reinvested 6.3% of its profits into community programs and investments, including contributing more than $1 million through grants and partnerships.
“Beyond Bank’s grants help community organisations deliver programs that create meaningful and lasting local impact,” explained Sophie Scott-Young, Chief Member Banking Officer at Beyond Bank.
Beyond Bank volunteers at Hutt St Centre’s Walk a Mile in My Boots event
One example is a $30,000 community grant awarded to the Breakthrough Mental Health Research Foundation, which helped launch the Big Talks for Little Sports People pilot program. The initiative supports children involved in junior sport by helping them develop emotional literacy, resilience, and respect, while promoting positive mental health outcomes.
Through initiatives such as its Community Reward Accounts, Beyond Bank directs a portion of profits to community groups chosen by members. In August 2026, more than $900,000 was distributed to 484 organisations across Australia.
Its commitment to community impact includes financial wellbeing, like its Employee Care program, which supports employees of community organisations and small businesses in accessing financial education and support.
Beyond Bank also has a charitable foundation, with partnerships across Australia like Foodbank WA, Anglicare SA, Zahra Foundation, YWCA Rentwell and Lifeline Gippsland. The foundation helps drive positive outcomes in communities nationwide.
Grant recipient Find Your Voice Collective‘s flagship music event at Sidney Myer Music Bowl
As the Beyond Bank Foundation approaches its 20th anniversary this September, it marks two decades of community investment, having provided more than $6.5 million in grants.
Looking ahead, the Foundation is undergoing a strategy review that will enhance its unique approach where it will be a platform for engagement and impact.
“We are looking to bring together community organisations, members, employees, corporate partners, and various levels of government around a shared outcome. This is unique to the traditional philanthropic grant maker approach and seeks to have greater collective impact in our communities while engaging our members to be involved in the initiatives,” Scott-Young added.