Charitable foundation achieves £20m milestone

Thursday 08 October 2020

The Lloyds Bank Foundation for the Channel Islands has reached a £20m grant-giving milestone.

Since being established 35 years ago, the Foundation has worked in partnership with charities that help disadvantaged people play a fuller role in the community.

On average, LBFCI supports 30 charities per year across the Channel Islands with grants ranging from £2,000 to £100,000. 

“Each year we support incredible organisations of all sizes who help those who face challenge and disadvantage across the Channel Islands," said Katie Le Quesne, Chair of Lloyds Bank Foundation for the Channel Islands.

"We have achieved so much over 35 years, not just through the £20 million of funding but also through our partnership with Lloyds Bank colleagues sharing their time and expertise, and by strengthening relationships with other charitable funders and with governments.

"We have also adapted how we operate as an organisation. Instead of simply responding to grant applications, we have learnt to take a more proactive approach, to listen and look for opportunities to support the charitable sector. Of course, none of this would have been possible without the generous support of our sole funder, Lloyds Banking Group.”

The £20 million funding has supported charities who help tackle complex social issues such as domestic abuse, mental health and employability in the islands’ communities.  

Recipients include Guernsey Mind, who have received a total of £188,468.

“One of the differences between Lloyds Bank Foundation and other funding bodies is that they are prepared to invest in salaried charity professionals," said Executive Director Emily Litten.

"Back in 2010 in particular, it was difficult to identify funding for staff costs and, when we received the grant, it meant we could kick start our model of supporting mental health within the community.

"Lloyds Bank Foundation commit to progressing the entire structure of a charity and of the third sector which enables us to create a wide client base, to learn and grow, and to deliver more and more services. Our work together in Alderney is a perfect example, they were proactive and identified a need for more mental health services in Alderney, approaching us to see if they could fund our work there. Our work with the Foundation always feels like a partnership and is something we are grateful to be part of.”

Safer, a charity supporting islanders in Guernsey who have experienced domestic abuse, has received a total of 14 LBFCI totalling £530,831 over the last 20 years.

“Safer are so grateful for the support Lloyds Bank Foundation has given us over the years," said Safer chair Fiona Naftel. "Without it, we would not have been able to grow our vital service. On an annual basis, we have to secure more than 50% of funding from sponsorship or other funding sources.

"The support we have received from Lloyds Bank Foundation is the difference between supporting all victims of domestic abuse and their families who contact us, or having to prioritise cases because we don't have the necessary resources."

CLIP (Creative Learning in Prison), the Guernsey charity who supports the rehabilitation of prisoners through the provision of a wide range of education and learning opportunities, have received £55,000 in funding since 2013.

CLIP Chair Iain Stokes said the funding has equipped prisoners in Guernsey with carpentry, construction and other employability skills to help them find work after prison and reduce reoffending. 

“Without Lloyds Bank Foundation’s initial grant of £25,000 in 2013, CLIP would have not existed beyond the idea our Founder, Andrew Ozanne had," he said. 

"LBFCI put its trust in the concept and provided the financial platform for CLIP to develop its ideas to provide activities that would benefit prisoners, help work towards reducing re-offending and enable prisoners ‘to give something back’ to the community, whilst achieving financial sustainability."

Lloyds Bank Foundation is encouraging eligible charities to apply for funding. They can contact Jo Le Poidevin on jlepoidevin@lloydsbankfoundation.org.uk or 01481 706360. Full details of eligibility criteria and how to apply can be found HERE.