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.

20 Nov 2024

Community Foundation for Northern Ireland Celebrates the Impact of £30M in Health Funds

The Community Foundation for Northern Ireland have held a celebration in recognition of the impact of the Mental Health, Cancer and Carers support funds. The event held at…

Foundation News

13 Nov 2024

Hands-On Winter Gardening Day for Nazareth House Primary School Students at Soft Launch of Gate Lodge

The Acorn Farm Project celebrated the soft launch of the new Gate Lodge Garden in St Columb’s Park by hosting Nazareth House Primary School’s P6 class for an exciting,…

Foundation News

21 Oct 2024

Women’s Health Strategy survey results launched by The Community Foundation for Northern Ireland

The Community Foundation for Northern Ireland and their Nothing About Us Without Us (NAUWU) group have today launched the results of a survey into women’s health and a…

Foundation News