Sponsorships
Are you a local business or community group with a strong customer base? Do you have an exciting project or event on the horizon? We're always open to partnering with organisations that share our passion for building thriving, connected communities.
We offer support through funding, goods or services in exchange for opportunities that help grow our customer base and enhance our brand recognition. Examples would include the sponsorship of local sporting clubs, festivals and events. Let’s work together to create positive impact—both in your organisation and in our region.
Eligibility
To be eligible to enter into a sponsorship arrangement with us:
Your organisation must hold a valid ABN and provide a clear community benefit to residents in the southern Macedon Ranges.
Your organisation and the sponsored initiative must be based in postcode 3437, 3431, 3438, 3440, 3441 and/or 3442;
The initiative must not also be sponsored by a competitor financial institution e.g. banks, brokers, insurance providers; and
Your organisation must actively bank with Community Bank Gisborne & District.
Groups that are not based locally may be eligible if:
They actively bank with us; and
The sponsored initiative provides a unique benefit to residents in the southern Macedon Ranges.
Funding round schedule
We encourage you to submit your sponsorship application through one of our funding rounds, well before your event or project starts. However, if the dates below don’t align with your project timeline, please email community@mrce.com.au and we may consider your application out of round.
Funds will only be available after formal announcement has been made and a partnership meeting has taken place.
| Program round | Applications accepted | Results announced | Funds available |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn | Mar | May | From 1 Jun |
| Spring | Sep | Nov | From 1 Dec |
In special cases, grant applications may be considered outside of our autumn and spring funding rounds. If you have a project that you’d like considered out of round, please email community@mrce.com.au
Assessment criteria
Sponsorship applications are assessed on a range of criteria, including:
Partnership alignment – organisations/initiatives whose vision, values and objectives align with ours – in particular, our impact pillars.
Project feasibility – realistic, well-planned initiative with adequate lead time, necessary permits/insurance, and proven capacity to deliver.
Potential for business outcomes – opportunities for brand exposure, customer growth, meaningful involvement, and strong value for money.
Step-by-step application process
Review the eligibility criteria above.
Develop your project proposal or submission, including your project budget and project partner details (if applicable).
Ensure you have all of the requested supporting documentation - including, where appropriate, quotes, financials, letters of support and evidence of other funding.
Complete and submit your online application, including any supporting documentation.
You will be notified by email whether your application was successful, unsuccessful or requires more information.
Successful applicants will be required to sign an Agreement, which will be emailed to you.
Funds will be paid on submission of a Tax Invoice and banking details.
Project acquittal
Once the project is completed, and by no later than 12 months of your project end date, you must submit an acquittal report and impact story. This should include:
How funds were spent
Benefits delivered
Participant or recipient information
Project achievements
Lessons learned
To be eligible for future funding, you must acquit your project. We also ask that, throughout your project, you acknowledge Community Bank Gisborne & District in accordance with our Partnership Matrix.
Questions
Please contact Liz O'Connell on mrce@community.com.au with any questions about our sponsorship program and she’ll be in touch to help you.
