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.

29 Sep 2025

The Circle of Change Fund continues to demonstrate the power of community-led philanthropy.

To date, 60 people from a wide range of communities across Northern Ireland have participated in five circles, mobilising hundreds of people to invest over £100,000 in…

Foundation News

10 Sep 2025

This Will to Give week, support a cause that matters to you.

This week, September 8th to 12th, is Will to Give Week. Its purpose is to promote the idea and the importance of leaving a gift in your Will, while supporting and guiding…

Foundation News

29 Aug 2025

Equity in Action Fund: Strengthening Communities Across Northern Ireland

The Equity in Action Fund, developed by the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland, is already making a significant impact by supporting grassroots organisations to…

Fund & Grant News