Commonwealth Bank of Australia

Even after implementing emergency support operations and attracting record donations for the Australian Red Cross from customers and employees affected by the bushfires, CommBank recognised that, to recover, our community needed more.

From January to June, CommBank developed and rolled out the CommBank Bushfire Recovery Grants Program and the Baggy Green Tour. A total of 213 grants (worth between $5,000 and $50,000) were made directly to community organisations based in bushfire affected areas. The grants focused entirely on community benefit, rebuilding and recovery and weren’t confined to CommBank customers.

They also wanted to give more Australians an opportunity to gain a sense of involvement and contribution beyond the conventional donations and got this chance when they purchased Shane Warne’s baggy green cap and took it on a fundraising tour.

The cap attracted hundreds of visitors, keen to unite behind a symbol of national solidarity, raising an additional $1 million to support drought and bushfire affected Australians for CommBank’s charity partner, Australian Red Cross.

CommBank adds: “It’s no secret that the financial services sector, including CommBank, has been the subject of intensive scrutiny in recent years. We acknowledge openly that the sector has, at times, been found wanting.

“The initiative outlined here is one of many that we hope signals some of the lessons learned and our commitment to being a better bank.’’

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