Halifax Foundation for Northern Ireland: Community Grant Programme
The Halifax Foundation for Northern Ireland’s Community Grants Programme supports underfunded, grassroots charities that enable people, especially disabled and disadvantaged people, to play a fuller role in society. The programme is open to registered charities with an income of less than £1 million. Grants are for one year only and the average grant is currently £3200.
Scheme details
The Foundation has two main target areas to which it seeks to allocate funds:
1) Social and Community Needs
A wide range of activities are supported and the following are meant as a guide only;
COMMUNITY SERVICES: Family centres, youth clubs, older people’s clubs, after schools clubs, self-help groups, childcare provision (where no other provision is available) preschools and playgroups.
ADVICE SERVICES: Homelessness, addictions, bereavement, family guidance, money advice, helplines and suicide awareness.
PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS: Residences, day centres, transport, carers, information and advice, and advocacy.
PROMOTION OF HEALTH: Information and advice, mental health, hospices, day care, home nursing, independent living for older people.
CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY: Young people at risk, crime prevention, promotion of volunteering, victim support, mediation, rehabilitation of offenders.
CULTURAL ENRICHMENT: Improving access and skills development in the arts and national heritage for disadvantaged people and those with special needs.
2) Education and Training
The objective is to enhance educational opportunities for disadvantaged people and those with special needs;
EMPLOYMENT: Projects which help disadvantaged people develop their potential and secure employment.
LIFE SKILLS: Promotion of life skills, independent living skills for people with special needs.
TRAINING AND EDUCATION: Accredited, vocational or personal development training.
Who can apply?
The Community Grant Programme is open to any organisation who is registered as a charity and has an income of less than £1 million in the previous year’s accounts. For registered charities with a headquarters based outside of Northern Ireland, the income of their Northern Ireland operation, shown in their management accounts, will be the figure used to assess the eligibility.
What do they fund?
The following list is a guide to the key areas the Foundation supports.
- Core costs
- Materials and equipment
- Salary costs
- Volunteer expenses
- Project costs
- Refurbishment
- Activities
- Training
- Disabled access
- Training Costs
How to apply
The Foundation will now accept applications throughout the year, no longer working towards quarterly closing dates, offering more flexibility to local registered charities.
You can access further guidance and information, along with the online Community Grant application form on the Foundation website. They can only accept requests for funding on their official application form.
They welcome the opportunity to discuss projects with applicants before submission to the Trustees. This will help to ensure that the project is within the criteria and provides an opportunity for you to ask any questions you may have about the application process. See the website for information on accessing one to one pre-application information sessions.
When to Apply
– Please leave enough time for the decision process to take place. You should receive a decision within 17 weeks from the date your application was submitted.
– The Foundation cannot cover expenditure retrospectively. Please ensure spend is not incurred prior to receiving confirmation of a grant.
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