IGA Community Chest - Local Community Support

You’ve no doubt heard about it or seen signs mentioning it, but to many people, IGA Community Chest remains a bit of a mystery. Common questions we hear are:

How does it work?
Who is it helping?
And how do I get to be part of it?

Well here’s a quick summary to help you get started…

What is IGA Community Chest?

It is a community support fund that is made up of a percentage of sales of IGA branded products and selected product lines bearing the Community Chest logo.

Throughout the year IGA stores select a local group or charity to donate all of the money that has been collected at the store. Typically stores support local community groups, not-for-profit organisations and other worthy causes.

Why you should care about it

The Community Chest program has raised over $80 million for local community groups, not-for-profit organisations, charities and other worthy causes over the past 8 years. This money has assisted over 8,000 worthwhile causes to date, and with an average of $4m being allocated each year from the Community Chest it’s set to help hundreds and thousands of new causes in the years to come.

OK, so here’s how to apply to become an IGA beneficiary

IGA beneficiaries are chosen based on a range of criteria that can include the groups’ level of engagement in the local community, it’s promotion of health, fitness and wellbeing, and how much the group adds value to the community.

IGA Community Chest accepts submissions from community groups, charities and other worthy causes all year round, and they have a tiered system for choosing beneficiaries.

1) For local activities, the beneficiaries are chosen by the local stores (excl Victoria)

2) Regional activities are chosen by the region or group of stores

3) State beneficiaries are chosen in consultation with the State Executive and Board.

If you would like to apply to become an IGA Community Chest beneficiary, it is best to approach your local IGA store directly with a well-prepared pitch. Your pitch should include;

An overview of your organisation and/or the individual that you’d like supported;
What support are you looking for – monies, donations of goods, providing team jumpers, holding regular fundraising at the store, group registrations at the store, etc
How the donation will be used and your timing.
Is there anything you can offer in return to  IGA?
Don’t forget to include your contact details

You can find out more information by visiting:

https://www.iga.com.au/community-chest/

Originally published 5 October, 2015