New Voices Programme

7 Nov 2022

Supporting Communities to Grow, Be Confident and Meet Their Potential

Is your group one that is managed by and works with people from either ethnic and/or LGBTQIA+ communities?

Does your group wish to learn more about how to make stronger funding applications and how to be more strategic in your planning?

Does your group want an opportunity to meet with a range of funders from across the United Kingdom?

If the answers to all of the above questions is yes then the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland’s New Voices Programme could be for your group.

What is the New Voices Programme?

Through a network of peer mentors and partners the New Voices Programme will support your group, through a mixture of in-person and group meetings and 1-2-1 meetings on line that will focus on the following:

● Building the capacity of your organisation to submit strong applications to major UK-wide funders

● Supporting and developing leaders who are serving your communities

● Developing effective governance, including financial management, Trustee/Committee expertise, policies and practice

● Enhancing your connections to potential funders, including Garfield Weston, Tudor Trust, Esmee Fairbairn, Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust, the Community Foundation and others

● Encouraging your group to be creative when developing projects for funding – working with partner organisations in your areas, reaching out, and including all stakeholders in scoping of need

The main areas covered during the course of ‘New Voices’ include;

● Business planning and preparedness skills

● Developing sustainable ideas and projects

● Developing a case for support with funders

● Impact measurement

● Access to funding

● Assessing Need and Bid Writing

● Whole systems’ approaches and Impact Measurement

● Beyond Grant Funding – Corporate Support & Community Fundraising

● Big Gift Fundraising

There is no cost to be part of the programme, all that is required is your commitment to participate, to reflect, to share learning and experience. The total time commitment for the Programme is circa 30 hours and how this is managed by the group will be through discussions and agreement with an allocated mentor. It is anticipated that much of the time commitment will be spent in the group meetings so that experience, knowledge and learning can be shared.

Should demand exceed the number of places available, preference will be given to groups that:

● Focus their work with people from ethnic minority and the LGBTQIA+ communities;

● Have been operating for under 5 years;

● Have an annual income of less than £30,000 per annum.

Find out more at an online information session on

Wednesday 7th December 7.00pm – 8.30pm

To register contact Michael, mhughes@communityfoundationni.org