Connecting people who with causes that matter Impact Report 2019-2020 Impact Report 19/20
A Note from Andrew CEO In 2019 we celebrated a big birthday - 40 years of connecting people who care to causes that matter. We had some great celebratory moments! It’s strange writing about those now, looking back at 19/20; currently, it is Autumn 2020 I am writing from the shed at the bottom of my garden and we are beginning to anticipate what the next few months bring for the sector. In some ways it makes the memories and achievements of 19/20 shine all the brighter, particularly when I think of some of the face-to-face meetings and events that we had that are currently impossible. For example, the fantastic 40th birthday party at Belfast Met where we were able to distribute 40 grants of £1,000 to organisations doing amazing work with older people. Or the bustling Democracy Day at Stormont where coalitions were formed and re-formed as we facilitated a unique and energising process to help groups work together to create innovative new forms of public participation. Or the more thoughtful meals that we had as we build our network of philanthropists, supporting and encouraging them as they work with us to bring change in parts of society that they care about. No doubt the opportunity for face-to-face engagement will return; in 2021 we have many plans that are more important than ever given the circumstances we’re facing. We will continue to be a proactive, supportive, flexible funder as communities face the Covid-19 crisis; we will launch new funds and partnerships - including a new matched funding partnership with the Department for Communities; we will develop our key programmes and tailor them to the new environment, including the Peace Impact Programme; the 5th year of the Techies in Residence, our Civic Innovation work and more. We have a unique place in the community to assist in a crisis, and we will step up to support the thousands of people who are working together to protect and support their communities. At the Foundation we will remain true to our values - Generous, Thriving and Together and we’ll focus on embedding these in our culture and everything we do. I am proud of the way our team has worked together, to connect people who care to causes that matter and support the most disadvantaged communities in Northern Ireland.
A message from Maeve Our relationships with and support for communities and individuals at the edge of society, who are vulnerable, marginalised and isolated is more important now than ever. Chairperson It is with feelings of great pride and privilege that I look back at 2019/20 and reflect on the impact of our work at the Foundation. What a year it’s been. Celebrating the Foundations 40th birthday, awarding over £4 million to 700 communities reaching 383,644 beneficiaries and towards the end of year stepping up to the mark as one of the first funders to respond to coronavirus within the community. As a board, we continue to support and are very proud of our work with people who really want to deliver impact and improve their communities. A highlight for me this year included the launch of the Lightbody Foundation and Gary’s focus on making a real difference to communities and families locally. So many people are benefiting from his generosity, it is truly inspiring and I’ve no doubt that his leadership will encourage others. Our new partnership with the Irish Football Association, aimed at supporting football clubs developing a disability or a women’s section also stands out. For all our funds and programmes and partnerships, ensuring giving is done effectively and connecting to communities in need is important to us. And never more so since coronavirus. Our relationships with and support for communities and individuals at the edge of society, who are vulnerable, marginalised and isolated is more important now than ever. As we complete the second year of our five-year plan, we remain dedicated to building sustainable communities and giving communities voice. Impact Report 19/2 Supporting three organisations with a seed fund to develop a tech solution to their challenge proved timely and I’m pleased that we will be continuing this programme into 2021. Those on the edge of our society and their untapped resource of skills, knowledge and abilities will not be left behind by the Foundation. We’ll continue to support them to build a collective resilience and create sustainable futures, enabling them to develop skills, realise potential and build on their ambitions. However, all this is not possible without a committed team. I am lucky to work alongside such dedicated staff, trustees, ambassadors and donors who are passionate about making a difference to local people in Northern Ireland - Thank You. The Board of Trustees and staff of the Foundation were very saddened by the death of our former Trustee Joe McKnight in September 2020. Joe had stepped down from the Board following two terms of office, in March 2020 and had made a huge contribution to the Foundation as a Trustee, Vice Chair of the Board and also as the Chair of the Finance and Resources Committee. Joe will be greatly missed by all at the Foundation. Back, left to right - Niamh Goggin, David Bass, Claire McGonigle, David McCurley, Shelley Martin, Front, left to right - Mary Mckee, Joe McKnight, Maeve Monaghan, David Gavaghan Trustees joining the board during the year included: Glenn Bradley, Gráinne Brown, John Gordon, Dr Adrain Johnston, Suzanne Lagan, Dr Sophie Long, Ciaran Moynagh and Dr Jane Wilde. 3
Our Foundation at a glance We are a local grant making charitable trust that connects people who care with causes that matter. Matching generous people with important community causes, every year, we award grants and facilitate innovative programmes for hundreds of small charities in Northern Ireland through funds set up by and investments made by our donors. This year we celebrated 40 years of connecting people who care with causes that matter. The Foundation was established in 1979 against the background of a divided society and the existence of a huge number of community groups, we used our expertise to build relationships within communities and make funding available where we knew we could make an impact. We’ve a wealth of experience supporting bespoke giving, providing philanthropic advice, and we’re a trusted, secure means through which donors choose how, when and where to give.
1979 2020 Looking back...looking forward Organisations Awarded grants to 35 Received 85 Applications £25,550 of funding awarded Awarded grants to over 700 Organisations Received 1768 Applications £4,083,232 of funding awarded 5
Building Sustainable Communities Thriving after the Conflict Growing Strategic Priorities 2019-2024 Supporting People on the Edges Inspire and Encourage Generosity Community Voice As the funding environment is continually changing, we’re proud to be a flexible and proactive funder focusing on how we bring new streams of funding into the third sector in Northern Ireland, and reacting to the changing needs of communities. Over the next few years we will be focusing on our five strategic priorities. 6
Our Grant Making 2019-2020 Advance people’s physical and mental health, wellbeing and safety Total amount awarded £4,083,232 Received 1768 grant applications Supported over 700 communities 1 in 8 individuals benefit from our grant making Average grant size £5,703 280 groups £1,019,527 Connect people with the arts, culture and heritage 65 groups £183,492 388,561 Beneficiaries Maximise ability to strengthen community cohesion and build social capacity 83 groups £2,102,720 Promote reduction of isolation and disadvantage and access to local services 188 groups £460,021 Transform access to, and engagement with, the environment and public spaces 15 groups £28,315 7 Improve life skills, education, employability and enterprise 83 groups £286,157
A few highlights … Gary Lightbody launches The Lightbody Foundation Following a lean review, our new systems and processes have been invaluable, ensuring more efficient and accessible funding to all communities in Northern Ireland. We have been taking a collaborative approach to grant making, alongside government bodies, other funders and stakeholders to ensure funding is reaching the right people at the right time. SOS Bus, Everyday Harmony, Youth Action NI, Youthlife, Drake Music and Alzheimer’s Society, where the first charities to benefit from the Lightbody Foundation. Gary Lightbody explained “We will be making donations to five or six charities twice a year. Because of both a looming Brexit and having no government in Northern Ireland for two years, charities (especially smaller ones) have been marginalised and underfunded. We want to try and help some of those NI charities that struggle in these tough times. “We have partnered with the Community Foundation, who have been a massive help in connecting us with charities across the country. Thank you to them for their help and support.” “Without support from the Community Foundation we wouldn’t have been able to develop our app or work with the wonderful Kippie CIC. Thank you Techies in Residence for helping parents get support at their fingertips!” Parenting NI
IFA partner with the Community Foundation to open new Inclusive Clubs Fund We are delighted to support Irish Football Association with their new Inclusive Clubs Programme, aimed at supporting registered football clubs develop a disability or women’s section. The club wish to encourage participation from everyone in society, particularly those most marginalised, including the BAME community, as well as those with a disability. “A few hours on a football field is so valuable to an individual not only making a difference physically but mentally also. The Community Foundation are delighted to be working to make football more accessible to groups across Northern Ireland and together achieving impact with the IFA.” Orla Black, Community Foundation NI Grants Director 9
List of Funds and Supporters Acorn Fund MAN Fund Ann McGeeney Memorial Trust ARN Foundation Atlantic Philanthropies Ballygrainey Fund Bank of Ireland Brockaghboy Community Benefit Fund Building Change Trust Business Eye Carnhill Community Benefit Fund Cloonty Community Benefit Fund Comic Relief Community Arts Fund Corby Knowe Community Benefit Fund Coronavirus Community Fund Cregganconroe Community Benefit Fund DAERA David Cross Foundation David Ervine Fund Department for Communities Derry City & Strabane District Council Dunbeg Community Benefit Fund Dungannon Community Trust Dunmore Community Benefit Fund Energia Crighshane & Churchill Community Benefit Fund Energia Longmountain Community Benefit Fund Energia Rathsherry Community Benefit Fund Energia Thornog Community Benefit Fund Energia Tyrone 3 Windfarms Community Benefit Fund Esmee Fairbairn Foundation Fulton Fund for Destitute Asylum Seekers Garfield Weston Foundation Gills Charitable Trust Give Inc Global Learning Project Hobson Fund Hope for More Foundation Hospital Saturday Fund Human Rights Fund Irish Football Association Foundation Inishative Community Benefit Fund International Fund for Ireland Institute of Directors Lagan Family Keadue Fund Legal Education Fund Lightbody Foundation McCall Fund Micro Grants Mike Fulton Fund Mike Moloney Fund Monnaboy Community Benefit Fund Murlough Fund National Lottery Community Fund Nationwide Foundation Oak Foundation Older People’s Fund One Small Step Fund Paul Hamlyn Foundation Pears Foundation Porticus Pressure Group Fund Raj Darshna Fund Riverrock Coca Cola Fund Royal London Foundation S7L Fund Sigrid Rausing Trust Social Justice Grants Space and Place Programme Spence Charitable Trust Staff Trustee Fund Tampon Tax Fund Telecommunity Fund The Education Fund The Honorable The Irish Society Thomas Devlin Fund Ulster Bank Sir George Quigley Fund Ulster Garden Villages Ulster People’s College Fund VSB Foundation Wesleyan Fund Women’s Fund Giving Circle Including all other individual donors 10
Building Sustainable Communities By empowering communities to be the best they can. We support communities to build collective resilience and create sustainable futures, enabling them to develop skills, realise potential and build on their ambition. A few highlights.. The opening of the Destined project in September completed the Space & Place Programme. This was a proud moment and our first dedicated capital funding programme investing, £12.9 million to support the development of 30 community spaces across Northern Ireland. Contributing to the Global Fund for Community Foundations "Pathways to Power" symposium, we facilitated a key workshop "Putting Our House in Order". A key message and takeaway from the symposium was that shifting the power should remain a movement, not an industry. £226,118 awarded through the Micro Grants Programme - small support for new community actions and activists. 11
Building Sustainable Communities Funding new solutions to real world social, economic and environmental challenges This year’s Community Innovators programme saw 18 groups pitching for a share of £140,000 of seed funding. The teams presented their ideas and proposed solutions to a panel of judges. Sarah McLaughlin (MEAAP - Mid & East Antrim Agewell Partnership) “Community Innovators has injected a fresh and inventive thinking process to our team when developing ideas for our projects. Not only have we been successful in two application processes resulting in our Ready Steady Agewell and Hard to Swallow campaigns but we have now embedded the design thinking process in our everyday development process, helping us continue to create alternative approaches to helping our older people to agewell.” Techies in Residence Pitch for £25,000 Seed Fund Techies in Residence, create a powerful change within communities through digital technology. Six groups of finalists came together to pitch at the Techies in Residence Showcase in the Guildhall for a proportion of the Bank of Ireland Seed Fund. PPR one of the successful groups were awarded £5,000 to develop an app supporting homeless people. Marissa Mc Mahon, PPR “Since launching the app we have supported nineteen homeless people who were denied official homeless status until we intervened. They are the tip of the iceberg. Many more homeless people have no support at all and will spend weeks, months and years in hostels waiting for recognition. In the meantime Housing Rights Watch will be rolling out in hostels providing support to homeless people to claim their rights. Without Techies in Residence coaching us through the app development we never would have got to this stage.” 12
Growing Community Voice By increasing capacity for decision making, facilitating deeper democracy and reinvigorating people’s participation in their community. Everyone has the right to a say in decisions that affect their lives. We empower communities (and individuals) to have their voices heard by decision makers and participate in decision making in order to create positive change. A few highlights.. Our flagship new Civic Innovation Programme launched with 56 ideas for deepening democracy, merging and coalescing into 14 teams; spanning 39 organisations, working together to make these a reality. Following work by the Foundation and partners to test and promote Citizens’ Assemblies as a public participation method, the NI Executive committed to including one Citizen Assembly per year, in their January 2020 New Decade, New Approach agreement. A new area of structured civic engagement. 13
Growing Community Voice Pressure Group fund addresses social injustice The Pressure Group Fund has been established in recognition of the contribution groups and people in our society are making, towards supporting social change. “Ethnic groups are marginalised with regard to the sporting community in Northern Ireland. We, the Ethnic Minority Sports Organisation Northern Ireland (EMSONI) invest time and effort into lobbying for change, ensuring the Government and other authorities realise the present diversity in our society. We aim to secure the right policies and programmes in place to achieve inclusion, equality and social justice for people from ethnic minority communities and low-income backgrounds.” Adekanmi Abayomi, Executive Chair of EMSONI Democracy Day focused on increasing public participation in democratic decision making Fourteen new initiatives aimed at deepening local democracy in communities across Northern Ireland will be able to bid for a share of the £500,000 of funding, mentoring and support through our Civic Innovation programme. Paul Braithwaite, Head of Innovation and Voice at the Foundation explained, “The Civic Innovation programme formally commenced at Democracy Day, which was delivered in partnership with the Imagine Belfast Festival. As well as getting some inspiration from international and local contributors working in the fields of public participation and democratic innovation, the 14 successful programme participants will now attend a series of project design workshops where they will have time and space to develop the details of their idea and receive expert mentoring and support”.
“Working with the Community Foundation has connected us to organisations which can make a real difference to young people. We’re delighted to be able to provide support to Simon Community NI for its welcome pack initiative, the far-reaching effects of which we could never have imagined.” Richard Buckley, Business Eye
Thriving after the Conflict By supporting communities who have suffered the effects of the conflict to become empowered and confident in challenging the underlying causes (of conflict, division, and disadvantage) in their area. By placing communities at the heart of what we do, listening and supporting, we are trusted and recognised by them to continue developing the peace process in Northern Ireland. A few highlights.. We are proud to act as the Managing Agent helping the International Fund for Ireland deliver support to communities most in need. We engaged with 25 groups who are at the cutting edge of peacebuilding and the forefront of community responses to covid. We worked in partnership with Porticus, investing £1 million of funding in support of grassroots leadership work, social justice, civic and social innovation. Foundations for Peace, an international peacebuilding network, continues to go from strength to strength. Through the network, we are proud to have been part of a recent study (Philanthropy for a Safe and Healthy World) which looked at how philanthropy can make peace building a priority. 16
Thriving after the conflict FUSE project supports community cohesion in North Belfast The HUBB Community Resource Centre, leads FUSE, a community cohesion programme focusing on communities thriving after the conflict. They encourage partnership working, fostering positive community relations and developing local community capacity in North Belfast. Commenting Paddy Harte, Chairman, International Fund for Ireland, said: “The main purpose of the Peace Impact Programme, managed in partnership with the Community Foundation and International Fund for Ireland, is to deliver real and positive transformation in communities that have not previously participated in peace building and reconciliation activities.” “The areas of North Belfast that the FUSE project targets have suffered for too long with high levels of paramilitary activity, and with relationships between the specific organisations particularly volatile. These organisations are recognising the need for community cohesion and that’s where this project came from”. Launch of Pears Community Space Fund A new fund in partnership with Pears Foundation, focuses on encouraging and developing greater understanding between people of different backgrounds. Dawn Shackels, Director of Peace Building and Communities at the Community Foundation said “We encourage communities to be proud of who they are and to work together to be innovative and take risks in trying new solutions to problems. The Pears Community Spaces Fund will do just that. It is more than simply a pot of financial support-it is a creative vehicle to encourage joint working and cohesion between groups, encouraging and supporting collaboration to bring different communities together.”
Supporting People on the Edges As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, our relationships with communities and individuals at the edge of society, who are vulnerable, marginalised and isolated is more important than ever. These people are an untapped resource of skills, knowledge and abilities which can improve our communities. Working with them, we want to shift society’s focus to recognise that everyone deserves to be respected and treated fairly. A few highlights.. A new partnership with Garfield Weston who has invested £100k over the next 3 years, supporting groups who are harder to reach to access funding. We are excited to be working with Cara Friend to support young LGBT+ people in more rural or isolated areas in Northern Ireland. We continue our work with destitute asylum seekers, awarding nine volunteering awards of £500 each supporting those to access basic needs. 18
Supporting People on the Edges £880,000 Comic Relief fund for Northern Ireland Two years funding will be awarded under four key strategic areas; ‘Children Survive and Thrive’; ‘Global Mental Health Matters’; ‘Fighting for Gender Justice’ and ‘A Safe Space To Be’. Michael Hughes, Head of Building Sustainable Communities at the Foundation said, “We’re absolutely delighted to be working in partnership with Comic Relief and we are equally excited by the potentially huge positive impact this funding will have on areas of significant need in Northern Ireland.” “The Community Foundation for Northern Ireland and Comic Relief share a number of core beliefs and priorities which include supporting people on the edges. We will do this by directly investing in communities, highlighting the importance of lived experiences of people in shaping and improving lives and in shifting ownership of power, as well as partnering with others who have greater experience, knowledge and connections..” Working to end destitution for asylum seekers Since 2011 we have been working with Homeplus NI towards ending destitution for asylum seekers who are temporarily outside of the asylum system, and are therefore left without any financial support. This year we have contributed £16,600 which has provided 550 nights accommodation asylum seekers. “Homeplus is the reason I am still alive, the support I receive from Homeplus has been a lifeline from clothing, food and a social network. The staff and volunteers encourage me to still be alive, because of them I always know I have a place to go and somewhere to get the help. The place and people who work in Homeplus are a blessing. They have the ability to help us and treat us all with respect. This is from the bottom of my heart.” Maryama Yuusef 19
Inspire and Encourage Generosity By developing, managing and delivering new and existing funds. Using our expertise we promote philanthropy and giving effectively, enabling donors to make an impact. A few highlights.. 16 new funds set up and an accelerator programme to support capacity building in the voluntary sector. We continue to support professional advisors and their clients through organised sessions on practical giving. Our Acorn Fund Legacy Small Grants and Inspire Bursary Programme came to an end this year and for every £1 of grant awarded a further value of £30.27 was generated in the community. Many thanks to the National Lottery Community Fund for supporting this programme and investment in our local community. Working in partnership with the Department of Communities and local philanthropists providing a £500,000 boost to the Voluntary and Community sector. 20
Inspire and Encourage Generosity The development of a Giving Network, a new and independent service to promote, profile and grow philanthropy in Northern Ireland. Five local mental health charities were supported through an 18-month partnership between IOD and the Community Foundation. 21
Inspire and Encourage Generosity Northern Ireland voluntary sector benefits from celebration of generosity during Philanthropy Fortnight 2019 Philanthropy Fortnight, a two week long celebration of generosity, highlighted the very real and positive impacts which philanthropy makes in our community. Siofra Healy, Director of Philanthropy at the Community Foundation, “Philanthropy Fortnight is an opportunity to celebrate Northern Ireland is one of the most generous regions in the UK and the impact that generosity makes to our society. Generosity is not limited to a two week period however and over the last year, one in every eight people in NI benefited from local philanthropy through the Foundation with over £4m in grants awarded. While statistics can be impressive, the real impact can be seen when individuals’ lives are changed.” Young Philanthropist joins forces with the Community Foundation to support Ardoyne Afterschools Club Aquinas has raised £500, in partnership with the Foundation to fund new games and play equipment for North Belfast after school facility, Ardoyne Afterschools Club. Oisín Cahalane, who led the initiative explained, “During a trip to South Africa last year I saw some of the deprivation faced by people the same age as me, who are living in townships. I know there are young people everywhere who don’t get the same opportunities as others and I wanted to do something to help. I worked with my school and chose to support Ardoyne Afterschools Club because it is used by young people. At Aquinas, we have a great Fundraising Committee and we had loads of ideas but in the end decided to have a bake sale and coffee morning for pupils and teachers. We held three in June and raised £250, which was match funded by the Community Foundation, so I was able to give £500 to the centre.” 22
Connecting people who care with causes that matter Locations groups funded through the Foundation in the year 19/20 Community House City Link Business Park 6a Albert Street Belfast BT12 4HQ Unit 4, Ráth Mór Centre Bligh’s Lane Creggan Derry-Londonderry BT48 OLZ T : +44 (0) 28 9024 5927 T : +44 (0) 28 7137 1547 Twit齇ᑁ @CFNIreland Face齇ᑁ
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