£1million anonymous donation highlights NI generosity

18 Feb 2019

Local charity and community groups are set to receive an unprecedented boost through an anonymous donation of £1m to be distributed to local communities. Donated through the Community Foundation, the Keadue Fund will provide grants to organisations tackling social need over the next ten years.

Conal McFeely, Creggan Enterprises welcomes the launch of the new £1 million Keadue Fund to fund projects based in Derry~Londonderry, along with Síofra Healy, Director of Philanthropy, Community Foundation Northern Ireland and Shauna Kelpie, Acorn Fund Development Officer, Community Foundation Northern Ireland

The donation which is further proof of NI’s position as the most generous region in the UK, will be used to help fund projects based in Derry~ Londonderry and the North West which help tackle a range of issues including homelessness, educational disadvantage, and mental health.
The donation comes at a time when communities are increasingly struggling and speaking about the new Keadue Fund, Síofra Healy, Director of Philanthropy at the Foundation said:

“The donor had been thinking about doing this for a while. They want to use their success and good fortune to give back to their community and make a significant difference and impact on the lives of others, particularly people affected by inequality and those who are experiencing personal and family crisis, often through no fault of their own.

“Helping local people by setting up the Keadue Fund is a perfect way for them to give back to a wide range of people and projects. The Community Foundation has enabled this and is supporting the donor to reach the projects and people most in need, advising on where and how to make an impact,” said Síofra.

Shauna Kelpie, Fund Development Officer at the Foundation spoke of the relief amongst community groups in Derry~Londonderry working at the front line of mental health issues,isolation and disadvantage:

“This is going to make a big impact, and on behalf of the people and organisations that will benefit, I can’t thank the donors enough. Although we are known for our generosity in NI, this long term and planned support for the local community is unprecedented in the North West and very encouraging for everyone involved.”

“The Foundation aims to inspire generosity and to connect people who care to the causes that matter, and we are privileged to be able to distribute this money on behalf of the the Keadue Fund. With grant sizes typically between £10k and £20k we know it will make a massive difference to so many people, at a time when it is desperately needed.”

The Keadue Fund opened for applications on 11 February 2019 and will close at 1pm on 8 March 2019. Grants are available to organisations and constituted groups which are supporting local people through short and long term crises caused by a range of social factors including, but are not exclusive to; poverty, ill health, addiction, disability, family break down, abuse, bereavement, loneliness and isolation, or low educational attainment.

To find out more about the Keadue Fund or the Community Foundation, visit: www.communityfoundationni.org