Sponsors, donors and recipients of the region’s community philanthropic foundation gathered at Atura Albury for the milestone.

“We are celebrating the fact that we have distributed $575,000 to 71 community not-for-profit organisations,” Border Trust director Michael Houlihan said.

“We want to expand on that.”

The foundation announced a new community investment partnership with the Refuge of Hope, which has received a $100,000 grant from the Scanlon Foundation for this purpose.

The Refuge of Hope is a not-for-profit organisation born out of a desire to serve and assist migrants, refugees and international students in Australia.

The partnership will focus on providing grants to organisations for projects that seek to improve social cohesion and the successful transition of migrants into the Albury-Wodonga area.

Scanlon Foundation chief executive Anthea Hancocks, who attended the celebration, was happy to jump on board with the grant.

“We are all about improving social cohesion and that’s what they are about,” she said.

Border Trust supports the communities of Albury, Alpine, Corowa, Greater Hume, Indigo, Towong, Tumbarumba and Wodonga.

The foundation has eight different ways funds are contributed, including two new schemes — the corporate challenge and community funds.

Trust executive officer Glenys Atkins said residents and businesses across the region could now give to a fund specific to their community.

Meanwhile, the corporate challenge is a partnership with Albury Northside Chamber of Commerce.

Albury Northside Chamber of Commerce business manager Kathie Heyman said the idea was for each of its 440 members to give back $10 per membership.

The money will be used to support projects focusing on young business leaders.

“This region has some talented young people with potential to make a difference in their field,” Ms Heyman said.