Mark Kearns was just eight years old when he started playing for North Bankstown Soccer Club. More than five decades later, he’s still involved with the club, clocking up 25 years on the committee.

North Bankstown Soccer Club is one of many organisations to be awarded funding via the CBCity Community Grants and Events Sponsorship Program, which provides financial support to develop initiatives that enhance community well-being.

The club was thrilled to receive a grant this year to fund a Football NSW program, “Football4all.” It’s a unique program that provides inclusive playing opportunities in a safe and secure environment for people with disability. The club’s program will be focusing on kids from the ages of 4-14.

“Receiving this grant means that we’re able to get our Football4all program up and running. It will help the participants to improve their self-esteem and gain a sense of value and purpose,” Mark said.

Canterbury-Bankstown Mayor Khal Asfour said it’s fantastic to be able to help local organisations fulfil their dreams.

“We’ve now funded 112 organisations, who received full or partial funding totalling a massive $487,300. It’ll be exciting to see what they’re able to achieve with the money and, for many of them, it’ll open doors to opportunities they might have thought were impossible to achieve,” Mayor Asfour said.

The funding was spread across five categories; Arts/Cultural, Community, Events Sponsorship, Sport and Recreation, and Youth.

Another not-for-profit receiving a grant is Community Minds, a charity promoting asset-based community development.

Angela Crichton, the Kids Program Manager at Community Minds (CM), is also excited to see her organisation receive a grant from CBCity.

“Receiving this grant meant that we were able to work with a local school and help them bring a dream community building project to life,” Angela Crichton, Community Minds Kids Program manager said.

The funds will go towards creating a school garden where people can come together to exchange ideas and stories.

The Lebanese Australian Friendship Committee, which helps migrants make connections in the community, has also received a grant from CBCity. Committee President Hania Darwich said the funds will help take away some of the financial pressures of running a not-for-profit.

“The grants have been extremely helpful in allowing us to continue our wellbeing lessons, sports and other initiatives,” Hania said.

“The women have been overwhelmed with how the support allows them to participate in things like sport. They kept on asking for more and wanted it to be done on a yearly basis, this grant meant that we could provide the service again.”

“We are really grateful to the council for allowing us to continue our work,” she said.

Receiving the grant has allowed the Lebanese Australian Friendship Committee to continue their meaningful work.

“The emotional response was overwhelming,” Hania said.

“It boosted our confidence knowing that we can continue to help, especially when you see the people who are there and saying how much [the program] did help.”

To learn more about Council’s Community Grants and Events Sponsorship Program, visit cb.city/CommunityGrants