Lead the Change

Closing Date:

Apr 29, 2026 13:00

• Area:

• Belfast

• Grant size:

• One grant of £123,353

• Priorities:

• We will prioritise projects that support young people most impacted by xenophobia, racism and Islamophobia.

Lead the Change is a new, three year initiative launched by BBC Children in Need, in partnership with Coop Foundation, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, Henry Smith Foundation, Joseph Levy Foundation, Paul Hamlyn Foundation, Postcode Justice Trust, UK Community Foundations and The National Lottery Community Fund. The programme supports young people to play a leading role in strengthening relationships, fostering understanding and building belonging in their communities. 

Research shows that many young people feel disconnected, less heard by decision makers, and increasingly cautious about expressing themselves - especially online, where exposure to harmful or misleading content can be common. Combined with financial pressures facing families and communities, these factors can deepen isolation and weaken young people’s sense of belonging. 

Lead the Change responds by investing directly in youth leadership, community connection, and opportunity. The programme enables youth led projects, creates safe spaces, strengthens relationships across communities, and helps young people build skills, including navigating online information and shaping positive narratives. 

Evishagaran and Craiggore Community Benefit Fund

Closing Date:

Apr 16, 2026 13:00

• Area:

• Within a 7km radius of the Evishagaran and Craiggore wind farm sites

• Grant size:

• Grants up to £4,000

• Priorities:

• - Education programmes for the next generation on the topics of Sustainability and Renewable Energy - Collaborative projects - Projects that aim to improve the health of residents, particularly mental health - Projects that promote care & support of vulnerable people, particularly relating to the cost of living/fuel poverty

The Evishagaran and Craiggore Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund was established in 2022 by the ERG Group.

The fund’s aim is to provide financial support towards the development of locally-beneficial community-based projects and initiatives within a 7km radius of Evishagaran and Craiggore wind farms, Dungiven.

Applications are invited from charities and community organisations based within a 7km radius of the Evishagaran and Craiggore wind farm sites.

The Cooper Richardson Fund

Closing Date:

Mar 20, 2026 13:00

• Area:

• Northern Ireland

• Grant size:

• £1,000 to £3,000

• Priorities:

• * To bring people who may not usually have the opportunity to integrate and take part in activities together e.g. from different cultural backgrounds. * To improve the health and well-being of people in Northern Ireland and build connections in communities, particularly with those most isolated. * To improve access to sport and physical activity, with a particular focus on supporting facilities in areas of economic need and for those most isolated in communities. * To remove barriers to access to sporting opportunities, particularly those who may have disabilities, financial constraints, language barriers. * To provide funding for resources, including equipment for small organisations, who may have limited access to funding opportunities.

Jack Cooper and his son-in-law Paul Richardson both died in 2022. This fund was set up by their family to honour Jack and Paul and the generous nature that they shared. They also shared a love of sport.

Jack was a talented footballer and badminton player. Paul was a competitive swimmer and water polo player.

As well as sports, the fund will also focus on the arts, especially music, which brought joy to Paul.

The fund will continue Jack’s lifelong connection with his home of Dundonald, and an interest in local history, which he passed on to his daughter Karolyn.

The Community Foundation is delighted to manage this fund on behalf of the Cooper and Richardson Families.

The Randal Foundation Small Grant

Ongoing - No Deadline

• Area:

• Northern Ireland

• Grant size:

• Up to £3,000

• Priorities:

• Poverty alleviation and support for women and children at risk of immediate harm

The Randal Foundation works to deliver the vision of Founders, Dr Nik and Moni Kotecha – saving and significantly improving the lives of 1 million people, across the UK and globally. We work in partnership with inspirational organisations, bringing support and essential funding to both create opportunity and foster hope, for those in greatest need.

In partnership with the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland we will offer grants to support grassroots activity that directly save or significantly improve lives, in line with the Randal Foundation’s mission.

SWEF Enterprise Fund Start-Up Grant

Ongoing - No Deadline

• Area:

• Northern Ireland

• Grant size:

• Up to £500

• Priorities:

• To be eligible to apply, you need to: - Be between the ages of 18-30 - Live in Northern Ireland - Applications must come from a majority shareholder - Be from a low-income household or facing other financial challenges preventing you from developing your business

Community Foundation NI is working in partnership with SWEF Enterprise Fund which helps young people from Northern Ireland develop their business idea and gain support with business investment that they would otherwise not be able to afford.

Start Up Grant:
For: Pre-revenue businesses or businesses turning over less than £500 per month.
Applicants must be between the age of 18-30
Start-up grants are awarded up to £500

SWEF Enterprise Fund Business Grant

Ongoing - No Deadline

• Area:

• Northern Ireland

• Grant size:

• Up to £2000

• Priorities:

• To be eligible to apply, you need to: - Be between the ages of 18-30 - Live in Northern Ireland - Applications must come from a majority shareholder - Be from a low-income household or facing other financial challenges preventing you from developing your business

Community Foundation NI is working in partnership with SWEF Enterprise Fund which helps young people from Northern Ireland develop their business idea and gain support with business investment that they would otherwise not be able to afford.

Business Grant: 
For: Businesses turning over more than £500 per month that have been trading for less than 2 years.
Applicants must be between the age of 18-30
Business grants are awarded up to £2,000