Meet Matt: bringing a customer voice to our 2026 community customer grants evaluation committee

At Bank Australia, our community customer grants program supports projects run by community organisations who bank with us, which aim to create positive change around the country.

Our evaluation committee includes two customers, working alongside Bank Australia employees and a director of the bank. Their valuable insights and perspectives help ensure our grants effectively support impactful projects within the community.

In 2026, our customer Matt joined the evaluation committee, helping review applications and contribute to funding decisions.

We spoke with Matt about his experience and what he learned from seeing the incredible work being done by community organisations around the country.

Bringing a community perspective to the process

What motivated you to put your hand up to be a customer representative on the evaluation committee?

"I've always enjoyed being involved in the community, so when the opportunity came up it seemed like a great way to contribute. Through my work I've also had quite a bit of experience with grant programs, so I thought I could bring a practical perspective to the process while helping support some really worthwhile community projects."

A closer look at the applications

What was it like reviewing and discussing the grant applications?

"It was really interesting. There were so many different projects and causes, and it was great to hear about the work people are doing in their communities. The discussions were open and respectful, and everyone genuinely wanted to make the best decisions with the funding available."

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Passion and impact stood out

Were there any common themes or stories that stood out to you across the applications?

"What stood out most was how passionate people were about what they were doing. A lot of the organisations rely on volunteers or have pretty limited resources, but they're still making a big difference in their communities. It was easy to see how even a relatively small grant could have a real impact."

The breadth of community-led initiatives

Were there any surprises?

"I think I was surprised by the variety of applications. There are so many community groups doing great work that most people probably don't even know about. It really highlighted how valuable these grant programs are."

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Why customer voices matter

Why do you think it's important for customers to be involved in deciding where grant funding is directed?

"Customers bring a community perspective that you don't always get otherwise. Having people from different backgrounds involved helps make sure decisions aren't just based on numbers, but also on the potential impact a project can have on the people it's trying to support."

The inclusion of customer representatives helps bring a broad range of lived experiences and viewpoints into discussions about community impact.

A rewarding and collaborative experience

Anything else about your experience that you'd like to share?

"I really enjoyed being involved. It was well-organised, everyone had the opportunity to share their views, and it felt like every application was given genuine consideration. I'd happily take part again if the opportunity came up."

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What made the experience meaningful

"Seeing just how many incredible organisations are out there making a real difference in their communities. Honestly, every application felt worthy of funding, and if there had been enough money, I think we would have loved to support them all.

What Matt appreciated about the committee

“What I appreciated most, though, was how the committee worked together.

Everyone had an equal voice when it came to the decisions, and there was genuine respect for each other's opinions. The discussions were thoughtful, and it never felt like one person had the final say or dominated the process.

You could tell everyone cared about making the right decisions, and when we were able to award funding to some of the projects, there were definitely a few emotional moments.

It was a nice reminder of the positive impact these grants can have on communities and the people behind them."

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Encouraging others to participate

What would you say to other customers who might be interested in participating in the future?

"I'd definitely recommend it. It's a great experience and gives you a real appreciation for the work that's happening in local communities. It's also nice knowing you've had a small part in helping those organisations receive support."

Learn more about our community customer grants

Want to learn more about our community customer grants program and the organisations receiving support in 2026?

• Learn more about the community customer grants program
• Meet the organisations supported through the 2026 community customer grants.