Semi Finalist Site Visit: The Bower reuse and Repair Centre

In 2025, Impact100 Sydney sought grant applications from charities undertaking activities to promote social cohesion in the Greater Sydney region. We received 64 applications from across Sydney, and nine have been selected to proceed to the semi-finalist stage.

This stage of the process involves the provision of additional information by the shortlisted organisations, and the participation in a virtual site visit that is open to all Impact100 Sydney 2025 donors to attend.

Site visits present a terrific opportunity for organisations to bring to life their grant application, for you to meet key people in the organisation and ask questions that help clarify the program being pitched.

The Bower Reuse and Repair Centre Cooperative

The Bower is an award-winning environmental charity and social enterprise that has spent over 20 years demonstrating that environmental action and social justice go hand in hand. Operating at the intersection of sustainability and inclusion, they reclaim, repair, and rehome household goods to reduce landfill while supporting those most in need. Through partnerships with 20 Sydney metropolitan councils, they provide 2.7 million residents with sustainable ways to pass on usable goods, which are then redistributed through their centres or donated to vulnerable individuals via frontline support agencies.

Their flagship House to Home initiative transforms empty dwellings into safe, functional homes for refugees, domestic violence survivors, and people exiting homelessness. Beyond material support, The Bower runs hands-on workshops in DIY, upholstery, furniture repair, woodworking, and tiny house construction, all using recycled materials. These programs foster skill-sharing, local connection, and accessible education while promoting low-impact living. In 2023-2024 alone, they diverted over 78 tonnes from landfill while delivering essential support to 54 households.

A $100,000 grant from IMPACT100 Sydney would significantly expand their House to Home program's reach and impact over two years. The funding would sustain core operations including truck logistics and staffing, while establishing a dedicated hub for testing, cleaning, and storing high-demand whitegoods at their Summer Hill site. This infrastructure would double their capacity to process donated appliances, enabling them to furnish 150 homes supporting approximately 375 individuals. Additionally, the grant would deliver skill-building workshops to 40 program participants, providing training in repair and maintenance skills that build confidence, agency, and pathways to employment while strengthening community connections.