The People First Bank Foundation is an Australian charitable foundation supporting programs that assist vulnerable people, improve physical and mental health services, and reduce barriers to education for young people. Its 2026 grant round provides one $80,000 People First Grant and seven $20,000 Growing Stronger Communities Grants, offering $220,000 in total funding.
Introduction
The People First Bank Foundation provides grants, structured-giving services and practical support to Australian charities creating measurable improvements in community wellbeing.
The foundation combines financial grants with employee involvement, partnerships, fundraising and other forms of in-kind support. Its vision is “Growing stronger communities, together.”
History and Background
The foundation was established in 2018 as the Heritage Bank Charitable Foundation. Heritage Bank provided $2 million in seed funding to create a sustainable charitable fund capable of supporting communities over the long term.
The former Heritage Bank and People’s Choice Credit Union merged in 2023. Following the merger, Heritage Bank Charitable Foundation Limited was renamed People First Foundation Limited, and the charitable fund became known as the People First Bank Foundation.
The change aligned the foundation with the bank’s national identity while retaining its existing philosophy of supporting high-quality community programs.
The foundation awarded its first $10,000 grant in 2020. It subsequently reported providing more than $1 million to 68 charities.
Mission and Purpose
The foundation seeks to improve community wellbeing and life outcomes for people experiencing disadvantage or vulnerability in Australia.
Its work focuses on three areas:
- Supporting people experiencing domestic violence, child abuse, homelessness and food insecurity.
- Supporting physical and mental health services for vulnerable people and their families.
- Supporting young people experiencing barriers to equitable education.
Rather than limiting its contribution to financial grants, the foundation seeks to connect charity partners with People First Bank employees, customers, business partners and community networks.
Governance and Structure
The legal entity responsible for the foundation is People First Foundation Limited as trustee for the People First Bank Foundation. Its Australian Business Number is 79 297 317 699.
The foundation operates as a Public Ancillary Fund. This is a regulated Australian philanthropic structure that receives tax-deductible donations and distributes funding to eligible charities with Deductible Gift Recipient status.
The foundation is governed by a board responsible for strategy, compliance, grantmaking and financial oversight.
Its leadership includes:
- Thomas William “Bill” Armagnacq, Chair
- Stephen Davis, Board Member
- Darren Stephens, Board Member
- Christine Maher, Board Member
- Virginia Hickey, Board Member
- Michael Töns, Board Member
- Paul Olds, Executive Officer
People First Bank Foundation is separate from the bank and is not an authorised deposit-taking institution. People First Bank’s support is limited to operating costs, donations and in-kind assistance involving employees and charity partners.
Funding Mechanism
The foundation receives resources through:
- Seed capital originally provided by Heritage Bank.
- Donations from individuals and members of the public.
- Contributions from People First Bank.
- Investment income generated by the foundation’s capital.
- Fundraising activities.
- Sub-Funds established by individuals, families, companies and charities.
- In-kind assistance from People First Bank employees and business partners.
People First Bank pays the foundation’s operational costs. This arrangement enables donations and investment income to be directed toward charity partners and community programs.
As a Public Ancillary Fund, the foundation must distribute at least 4% of the market value of its net assets each financial year.
People First Bank Foundation Grants 2026
The 2026 funding round offers eight grants with a combined value of $220,000:
- People First Grant: One grant of $80,000.
- Growing Stronger Communities Grants: Seven grants of $20,000 each.
Applications opened on 28 September 2026 and close at 5:00 p.m. on 23 October 2026. The official materials do not specify a time zone.
All applicants are expected to be informed of the outcome in early December 2026.
Successful recipients must spend their grant within 12 months of receiving the funding.
Difference Between the Two Grant Categories
The $80,000 People First Grant is intended for a charity delivering services across a broad geographical area covering most of the People First Bank and Heritage Bank footprint.
The $20,000 Growing Stronger Communities Grants may support charities operating across the same wider footprint, as well as programs delivered at regional or state level.
Applicants may submit only one application during the grant round.
Who Is Eligible?
An applicant must:
- Be an Australian nonprofit organization.
- Hold Deductible Gift Recipient status under Item 1.
- Have been registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission for more than two years, unless invited following discussions with the foundation.
- Have annual income below $10 million for 2025–2026.
- Receive less than 70% of its annual income from government sources.
- Apply for an existing program or service aligned with at least one funding priority.
- Provide reliable evidence that the program is successful.
- Explain the issue being addressed and the program’s role in creating change.
- Demonstrate that lived experience contributed to the program’s development or delivery.
- Present clearly defined and measurable outcomes.
- State how many people will benefit from the grant.
- Provide a clear and well-defined budget.
Only an authorised representative of an eligible organization may apply.
Applicants do not need to bank with People First Bank or Heritage Bank.
Geographical Focus
Programs must operate in Australia and generally serve communities within the People First Bank and Heritage Bank footprint.
Identified locations include:
- Western Sydney, New South Wales
- Greater Darwin, Northern Territory
- Brisbane, Darling Downs, Gold Coast, Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, Sunshine Coast and Wide Bay–Burnett in Queensland
- South Australia
- Ballarat, Greater Melbourne and Warrnambool in Victoria
Applicants for the national $80,000 People First Grant must reach people across the majority of this geographical footprint.
Eligible Programs and Activities
Funding is intended for established programs or services with evidence demonstrating positive outcomes.
Relevant activities may address:
- Domestic and family violence
- Child abuse and childhood trauma
- Homelessness and housing insecurity
- Food insecurity and hunger
- Physical health services
- Mental health and emotional wellbeing
- Support for vulnerable families
- Educational disadvantage
- Barriers preventing young people from accessing equitable education
- Crisis support and essential supplies
- Community-based services for people experiencing disadvantage
The foundation prefers programs that use partnerships and collaboration to increase their reach and impact.
Assessment Criteria
Applications are assessed by a selection committee that includes People First Bank employees.
The assessment examines:
- Alignment with the foundation’s three focus areas.
- The significance of the community need.
- Clarity of the program’s intended outcomes.
- Evidence of previous impact and success.
- Participation of people with lived experience.
- Risks connected with the proposed program.
- Number of people expected to benefit.
- Cost-effectiveness and appropriate use of resources.
- Partnerships with other organizations.
- Contribution to stronger Australian communities.
A strong application should demonstrate both proven impact and a realistic plan for using the grant.
What the Foundation Does Not Fund
The foundation excludes:
- Programs delivered outside Australia.
- Auspiced applications.
- Sponsorships and general fundraising appeals.
- Events and commercial activities.
- Small contributions toward large capital projects.
- Political or religious programs.
- Work normally considered the responsibility of government departments or local authorities.
- Direct support for individuals.
- Recurring operating costs such as rent and utilities.
- Study costs and attendance at conferences or seminars.
- Endowments, memorials and bursaries.
- Named academic chairs.
- Motor vehicles and buses.
- Government entities.
- Private schools.
- Other Public Ancillary Funds and Private Ancillary Funds.
- Standalone sports, recreational or social activities.
- Programs duplicating existing services.
- Research.
- Animal-welfare programs.
Organizations without eligible Item 1 DGR status cannot apply.
Major Programs and Initiatives
Community Grantmaking
The foundation’s principal activity is providing grants to established Australian charities. Funding supports programs with demonstrated results rather than new or untested concepts without historical evidence.
Charity Partnerships
Selected charities receive more than funding. The foundation seeks to connect partners with employees, customers, volunteers and business networks associated with People First Bank.
This model can generate volunteer participation, fundraising opportunities, public awareness and stronger community connections.
Structured Giving and Sub-Funds
The foundation allows individuals, families, companies and charities to establish named or anonymous Sub-Funds.
A Sub-Fund is created through a tax-deductible contribution and invested as part of the broader foundation fund. Income is then used to support eligible DGR charities recommended by the donor and aligned with the foundation’s purpose.
Sub-Funds may support areas such as:
- Education
- Health
- Culture
- Social welfare
- Financial wellbeing
The minimum amount to establish a Sub-Fund is $20,000. In agreed circumstances, this may be contributed through payments of $5,000 per year over four years.
Additional donations of more than $2,000 may subsequently be made. The foundation does not charge establishment or ongoing administration fees because People First Bank covers operational costs.
Employee Volunteering and In-Kind Support
People First Bank employees contribute volunteer time and practical assistance to charity partners. The foundation reported 668 volunteer hours during its 2025–2026 year of impact.
This involvement reflects the foundation’s intention to provide financial and non-financial support to participating charities.
Impact and Examples of Work Funded
Since providing its first grant in 2020, the foundation has reported distributing more than $1 million to 68 charities.
In 2025, more than 40 charities across Australia received support that helped them expand services for people experiencing serious need.
Examples of charity partners include:
- DV Safe Phone: Converts donated mobile phones into safe communication tools for people experiencing domestic violence.
- Foyer Foundation: Supports Youth Foyers that combine secure accommodation with education, employment and life-skills assistance for young people at risk of homelessness.
- Baby Give Back: Provides essential items such as clothing and nappies to vulnerable families with children aged five and under.
- Backpacks 4 SA Kids: Supplies essential items to South Australian children and families experiencing crisis.
- Catherine House: Provides accommodation, recovery assistance and support services to women experiencing homelessness.
- Eat Up: Supplies free school lunches to students experiencing disadvantage.
- KidsXpress: Provides trauma-informed mental-health programs for children affected by adversity.
- Our Village: Redistributes donated nursery and children’s items to vulnerable families.
- Youth Insearch: Provides peer-focused intervention programs for at-risk young people aged 14 to 20.
These partnerships demonstrate the foundation’s focus on practical services with clear benefits for vulnerable people.
Why the Foundation’s Work Matters
Australian charities working with vulnerable communities often need reliable funding to maintain and expand programs that have already demonstrated positive results.
The foundation addresses this need by supporting established services rather than funding only short-term pilots. Its selection criteria emphasise measurable outcomes, lived experience, collaboration and the number of people expected to benefit.
Its Public Ancillary Fund structure also allows the foundation to provide immediate grants while maintaining an invested charitable corpus for future community needs.
How to Apply for a Grant
Eligible charities should follow these steps:
- Review the official grant guidelines.
- Confirm that the organization has Item 1 DGR status and has been registered with the ACNC for more than two years.
- Select either the $80,000 People First Grant or one of the $20,000 Growing Stronger Communities Grants.
- Confirm that the program is already operating and has historical evidence of positive impact.
- Prepare information about community need, lived-experience involvement, outcomes, beneficiaries, partnerships and previous results.
- Develop a clear project budget showing how the grant will be used within 12 months.
- Prepare concise responses to the application questions because the online form has word and character limits.
- Submit one application through the foundation’s online application page by 5:00 p.m. on 23 October 2026.
Applicants experiencing difficulties with the online form may contact the foundation to discuss alternative submission arrangements.
Application Tips and Common Mistakes
- Confirm Item 1 DGR status before starting the application.
- Apply for an existing and proven program rather than an untested idea.
- Use evidence and historical results to demonstrate impact.
- Explain how people with lived experience shaped the program.
- State the exact number of expected beneficiaries.
- Connect the proposal directly to one or more funding priorities.
- Keep responses concise and within the online form’s limits.
- Include a realistic, clearly itemised budget.
- Demonstrate partnerships and collaboration.
- Do not submit more than one application.
- Do not submit an auspiced application.
- Submit early because late applications will not be accepted.
An organization previously unsuccessful with the same program should speak with the foundation before applying again.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much funding is available in 2026?
The foundation is offering one $80,000 People First Grant and seven $20,000 Growing Stronger Communities Grants, providing $220,000 in total.
When is the application deadline?
Applications close at 5:00 p.m. on 23 October 2026. The official information does not specify a time zone.
Can organizations without DGR status apply?
No. Applicants must be nonprofits with Item 1 Deductible Gift Recipient status.
Can a newly registered charity apply?
Organizations must generally have been registered with the ACNC for more than two years. An exception may be made by invitation following discussion with the foundation.
Can an organization submit multiple applications?
No. Each organization may submit only one application per grant round.
Must applicants bank with People First Bank?
No. Banking with People First Bank or Heritage Bank is not an eligibility requirement.
How long do recipients have to spend the grant?
Successful organizations must use all grant funding within 12 months of receiving it.
Conclusion
The People First Bank Foundation is an Australian philanthropic organization supporting proven programs for vulnerable people, families and young people. Through grants, structured giving, charity partnerships and employee volunteering, it addresses domestic violence, homelessness, food insecurity, health needs and educational disadvantage.
Its 2026 grant round offers $220,000 across eight awards. Eligible Australian charities should carefully confirm their DGR status, geographic reach, program evidence and financial eligibility before applying.
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