About Us

Working hand in hand with communities to build a better future.

We’re an independent, grant making trust, inspiring generosity and achieving impact.

The Community Foundation want to see a place where generosity and fairness changes lives, communities flourish, and everyone feels they belong.

We Inspire Generosity

Matching generous people to important causes, we manage and award grants to hundreds of charities through donations and funds set up by our donors. Beginning with the causes and issues that you care about, our team guide you with your giving and connect you to a network of like minded people, social entrepreneurs, important causes and charitable organisations.

Whether you want to make a one off, regular or lifetime donation, help charities and social enterprises thrive with a social investment, give now or in the future we’re happy to share our expertise, support and advice so get in touch.

Our Grants Achieve Impact

Responding to need, we’ve awarded over £100m in 40 years to groups and organisations across NI making contributions to education, health, housing, the arts, social justice, employment, peace and reconciliation. We’re rooted in a tradition of community connections, risk taking and innovation and we like to help smaller, community-led organisations that work directly with people who are at the margins of society. Funding through the Foundation ranges between £250 to £1m.

Empowering the local community to effect change, the big issues and themes we are currently focussed on include building sustainable communities, community voice, thriving after the conflict and people on the edges.

Start A Fund

Setting up a fund through the Community Foundation is similar to having your own charitable trust but without the hassle of administration.

Our Impact

In the last 40 years, we have awarded over £100 million in grants to individuals & local communities.

Apply For A Grant

Find all our open grants here with details on the types of projects we support, who’s eligible and how to apply.

24 Mar 2025

Connected Funders Event Highlights Opportunities for Collaborative Investment in Northern Ireland

The Community Foundation for Northern Ireland (CFNI) hosted the ’Connected Funders – Building the Future, Together’ on March 20th, 2025, to foster greater…

Foundation News

21 Mar 2025

What if a small group of people, pooling their resources, could create a big impact in their community? That’s exactly what the Acorn Fund Giving Circle set out to do

The Acorn Fund Giving Circle is a great example of local philanthropy in action. In 2012, under the umbrella of The Community Foundation’s, Acorn Fund, the Acorn Giving…

Foundation News

27 Feb 2025

Five Powerful Reasons to Leave a Gift in Your Will

Planning your will might not seem like a priority, but it’s an exciting opportunity to create a lasting impact. Leaving a charitable gift in your will allows you to…

Foundation News