About Us

Connecting People Who Care With Causes That Matter.

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

In a society where everyone can prosper and live in peace, we encourage and support those who want to give and empower the local community to effect change.

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.

2 Mar 2021

Henry Gill’s Charity opens for applications

The Community Foundation for Northern Ireland has opened the Gills Charity Fund for applications (1st March 2021) from groups supporting older people in the Carrickfergus…

Foundation News

1 Mar 2021

DFC Minster and DAERA Officials meet community champions

Today (1st March 2021) Communities Minster Deirdre Hargey, Paul Donnelly, Director of Rural Affairs Division and Gerard Treacy, Head of Branch – Rural Affairs West,…

Foundation News

19 Feb 2021

258 families sign up to ‘I Can Grow’ project

Over 250 families in Derry and Strabane are rolling up their sleeves and getting ready to embark on the journey towards self-sustainability thanks to a new environmental…

Foundation News