Creswick & District Financial Services Ltd (CDFS) is the franchisee of Community Bank Creswick & District. CDFS is a social enterprise run by the community, for the community, and aims to provide funding and sponsorships for community-based groups and initiatives.

CDFS is driven by our overarching strategy to invest in the growth of a resilient, sustainable, and thriving Creswick & District community.

CDFS offers the following funding opportunities:

1. Community Impact Grants (4 times per year)
2. Sponsorships (5 times per year)
3. Community Infrastructure Grants

Before you attempt to apply for funding, it will be useful for you to understand that the following criteria apply to all applications.

Generally, CDFS is unlikely to approve an applications if:

• The group you are applying on behalf of has already received funding from CDFS in the last 12 months
• You apply for funding as, or on behalf of, an individual person
• You do not already have a bank account, or list your intention to open a bank account with, the Community Bank Creswick and District; (any funding provided can only be deposited into a Community Bank Creswick & District bank account)
• You have failed to supply acquittal details or to comply with previous funding conditions set by CDFS
• You are applying on behalf of a commercial enterprise
• Your application seeks 100 percent of funding from CDFS. (It is expected that community organisations will detail what funding or “in-kind” support they will contribute to the initiative/project outlined on the application)

If you successfully answered “no” to all of these criteria, then please continue on and read the information that follows. You can then ascertain which funding round is most appropriate for your application.

If you have experienced exceptional circumstances (eg. theft or property damage) and wish to apply for an exemption from the criteria listed above, please email admin@cdfsl.com.au to start this process).

Community Investment Funding

Community Impact Grants

Community Impact grants are provided to support worthy initiatives that enhance the community. Community and not-for-profit organisations can apply for funding for projects and activities that offer clear public benefit and align with our Community Investment Strategy which is outlined below.

1. Add value to the community
2. Have a tangible positive benefit for our community
3. Be relevant to the wider community
4. Protect the integrity of the Community Bank and Bendigo Bank brands
5. Be non-politically motivated
6. Activities must be legal and considered acceptable by normal community standards

As a part of the Grant process, you will be asked adhere to conditions outlined in the community grant agreement. You will also be asked to acquit the grant and demonstrate how you have adhered to these conditions.

Community Impact Grants are as follows:

2025 Community Impact Grant Round 1 - opens 10th December 2024 and closes 1st February 2025.

2025 Community Impact Grant Round 2 - opens 2nd February 2025 and closes on 1st May 2025.

2025 Community Impact Grant Round 3 - opens 2nd May 2025 and closes on 1st August 2025.

2025 Community Impact Grant Round 4 - opens 2nd August and closes on 1st November 2025.

Please note: Notifications of application outcome will be issued approximately one month after the grant round closes.  Payment of a grant cannot be made until the Community Grant Agreement has been signed

Sponsorships

Sponsorships are provided to community organisations rather than specific projects. Sponsorship supports a local club or activity and is entered in to on the understanding that the gesture will be reciprocal (i.e. the organisation supports the community bank with their business and that the sponsorship is appropriately acknowledged and publicised).

Sponsorships of up to $3,000 can be applied for within our Sponsorship rounds. If you are seeking a larger sponsorship, please apply for a Community Impact Grant (see information above).

CDFS offers four different levels of sponsorship. Each level of sponsorship incurs specific conditions that you are asked to adhere to as part of the Sponsorship agreement. You will also be asked to acquit the sponsorship and demonstrate how you have adhered to the conditions.

The levels of sponsorships and corresponding conditions can be found in this document - Sponsorship Matrix

Sponsorship rounds are as follows:

2025 Community Sponsorship Round 1 - opens 1^st January 2025 and closes on 1^st March 2025. 

2025 Community Sponsorship Round 2 – opens 2^nd March 2025 and closes on 1^st May 2025. 

2025 Community Sponsorship Round 3 – opens 2^nd May 2025 and closes on 1^st July 2025. 

2025 Community Sponsorship Round 4 – opens 2^nd July 2025 and closes on 1^st September 2025. 

2025 Community Sponsorship Round 5 – opens 2^nd September 2025 and closes on 1^st November 2025.

Please note: Notifications of application outcome will be issued approximately one month after the grant round closes.  Payment of a sponsorship cannot be made until the Community Sponsorship Agreement has been signed.

Community Infrastructure Grants

We have a specific Grant process for Community Infrastructure Grants. Community Infrastructure Grants cover everything from scoreboards for your footy ground, to installing disability access to your current building, or even a new purpose-built facility for your Club. Community Infrastructure Grants are offered and assessed on a needs basis and require items such as council permits, building plans, proof of ownership and submission of full financial statements by the applicant. Please contact admin@cdfsl.com.au if you wish to enquire further about these grants.

The CDFSL also provides funding for urgent situations or emergencies through our Benevolent Fund. Normal processes for this funding are not required and any request for this type of funding can be made through admin@cdfsl.com.au or via one of our directors.

Community Investment Policy

Sponsorship Matrix

Keep up to date with our upcoming community investment programs, by visiting our Facebook page.