Backing the community that backs them … local businesses and residents across the region are being invited to join in Border Trust’s Local Giving Month, which kicks off on 1 September. Photo: Jodie O’Sullivan.
It’s a dollar from a coffee here, a pint sold there, or a simple pool water test.
Imagine these small acts of generosity becoming drops in an ocean of giving, flowing right back into our region.
That’s the heart of a month-long campaign bringing local businesses and communities together to raise vital funds for Border Trust’s Community Impact Fund.
Local Giving Month, which kicks off on 1 September, is built around a simple idea that will help support charities, community organisations and grassroots projects across the region, says Border Trust donor engagement and partnerships manager Michelle Hudson.
“Imagine if cafes, retailers, tradies, professional services, manufacturers and workplaces across our region each chose one simple way to give back during September,” she said.
“On their own those contributions might seem small. Together they can become something much bigger. We can fill the bucket drop by drop.”
The Community Impact Fund’s purpose is to build a permanent fund that can support local organisations responding to immediate needs while growing a base for the future, according to Ms Hudson.
“We know how important the need is for flexible grant funding, and the money raised here stays here,” she said.
It is money that has supported projects such as a gymnastics program at the PCYC for mums and kids (from birth to five years old) from low socioeconomic backgrounds.
PCYC Albury manager Tim McLaren said the Border Trust’s support in 2018 had created a legacy that continued today.
“From here, for here is such a powerful message,” he said. “With Border Trust there is such a positive impact when needs are met immediately, particularly given the funding challenges facing a lot of not-for-profits.
“The beauty of this is that local businesses are willing to put their hands up in tough times and give back to people on the ground.”
The need is great, says Albury Wodonga Regional Foodshare CEO Katrina Pawley with PCYC Albury manager Tim McLaren. Photo: Jodie O’Sullivan.
And there’s no doubt times are tough, according to Albury-Wodonga Regional Foodshare CEO Katrina Pawley, who said the organisation was looking for a new facility to meet the increasing needs of the community.
“We are seeing 600 families a month at our community pantry (that equated to 20,000 people in 2025 who used the service),” Ms Pawley said.
The vital local food relief charity is seeing an increase in families and individuals buckling under cost-of-living pressures, with many “holding out and holding out until they are stretched beyond their limits”, she said.
Ms Pawley urged people to reach out before they were forced to sell their cars, or fell so far behind in their mortgage payments they risked losing their home.
“There’s also a health component in this,” she said. “People need regular access to healthy food and yet there is real food insecurity where people are making decisions to reduce portion sizes or they can’t afford to eat because they need to buy medication.”
That’s why local, flexible funding from the Border Trust was “the most valuable kind”, according to Ms Pawley who said FoodShare had been the grateful recipient of many grants over the years.
A host of Border businesses have already signed on for Local Giving Month with pledges as diverse as the businesses themselves including:
- Murray Towns Brewers to donate $1 from every pint sold at the brewery during September
- Poolwerx will donate $1 from every pool water test completed this month
- Sleep Clinics Albury Wodonga will give $100 from every CPAP machine sold
- Foto Supplies Camera House will donate 10 per cent of giftware and frames sold and $5 from passport photos and selected prints
- PRD Real Estate will donate $250 for every property settlement during September.
Murray Towns Brewers founder Barry Young, who is also a member of the Local Giving Month Brains Trust, said there was no set formula for getting involved.
“Each business is doing something different, but we’re all backing the same community,” he said. “We’d love other local businesses to join us and the community to get behind those that are taking part.”
Ms Hudson said Border Trust had been connecting local generosity with local need for 20 years.
It has distributed more than $5 million to hundreds of projects addressing issues including housing, food insecurity, youth wellbeing, mental health, disaster recovery and community connection.
Local Giving Month runs throughout September 2026. Visit the Border Trust website to see participating businesses and fundraisers, register to get involved or make a donation.
