Circle of Change Fund

Background:

The Circle of Change are a group of people from all backgrounds from around Northern Ireland who have come together to talk about and learn from each other about the root causes of issues affecting our communities, particularly around North Belfast, and over 6 months we pool our fundraising and make grants to organisations working on those issues.

In our conversations we’ve learnt from each other, and it has reminded us of the power of connecting with other people; we’ve heard stories of how people have seen the impact of poor mental health on their communities; and we’ve heard about how racism in Northern Ireland can often remain unchallenged. We want to apply this learning to grants that we make.

Priorities:

• The promotion of curiosity and conversations across different communities and backgrounds, recognising our shared humanity;
• Community based approaches to improving mental health and addressing issues of trauma
• Supporting people to take action against racism and value difference
• The kind of work we are particularly interested in includes:
• Peer to peer support;

Geographical Area:

Greater Belfast. We will give priority to projects in North Belfast.

Grant size:

Grants available up to £5,000

We want to fund innovation, creativity, and support flexibility.

12 months after the funding is distributed, we would like some feedback about how the money has been used but would like it to be treated as unrestricted income.

Who can apply?

• Fully constituted voluntary organisations and community groups based within Northern Ireland;
• We will only fund organisations with an income of less than £2m

We Will Not Fund:

Please note that the Foundation will not fund organisations or activities which promote causes that are contrary to our purposes. Causes and activities that are contrary to our purposes include, but may not be limited to, those outlined in our investment policy. We will not therefore fund organisations or activities which we determine are linked to the promotion of armaments, alcohol, human rights abuses, tobacco or pornography.

In addition, the Circle of Change Fund will not support:

• The advancement of religion. This includes organisations whose purposes include advancement of religion;
• The establishment of endowment of any school or institution providing further education within the meaning of the education and libraries (Northern Ireland) order 1972;
• The provision of assistance to any Housing Association within the meaning of the housing (Northern Ireland) order 1976
• Trips outside of Northern Ireland
• Individual applications
• Purchase of vehicles
• Running costs of large organisations
• Holiday schemes
• Parties and shopping trips
• Promotion of religious or political activity, including any flags and emblems associated
• Applications from statutory organisations

If you are unsure about any of the above text or have any other queries then please contact the Grants Team on 028 9024 5927 or via e-mail: applications@communityfoundationni.org.