Charities still have time to apply for injection of funds

Wednesday 17 February 2021

Charities in need of financial support towards one-off projects or to survive the pandemic can apply for a range of grants through the Social Investment Fund.

The Small Grants Programme for support of up to £25,000 has been up and running since late last month when the second wave of the pandemic took hold.

Earlier this month, the SIF launched its first Major Grants Programme, for sums greater than £25,000, which will provide a vital injection of funds for registered charities or non-profit organisations whose applications are approved. 

The SIF was launched in April last year in response to the Covid-19 crisis. Following a successful appeal for donations to support local charities, the SIF was able to distribute nearly £470,000 to charities who were suffering financial hardship through the Covid-19 Community Charity Appeal. 

"The process is straightforward and decisions on funding will be made swiftly"

This year's Small Grants Programme has started to receive applications ahead of the closing date on Friday 26 February.

“We’ve already received some worthy applications but know that more charities will need support so we encourage others to come forward to apply," said Jurat Stephen Jones OBE, Chair of the Social Investment Fund.

"The application process is straightforward and decisions on funding will be made swiftly, with decisions expected in March.” 

The programme is being funded by the Guernsey net proceeds from the Channel Islands Lottery. The Guernsey Community Foundation is administering the new scheme, processing applications and checking that everything is in order before the Board of the Social Investment Fund makes the decision on who gets funding. 

“The funding covers a wide range of areas to benefit people or activities in the Bailiwick of Guernsey,” said GCF Chief Executive Jim Roberts.

“Funding can support charities which assist people with specific needs, disadvantages or vulnerabilities; create employment, education or training opportunities; protect our natural environment, culture and heritage; improve the health and wellbeing of our community; or make our community a more inclusive place to live”. 

Pictured: The Social Investment Fund was established in April last year. Its purpose is to use both public and privately-donated funds to invest in the third sector and improve joint working between the government and the third sector. 

Applications to the Major Grants Programme remain open until Friday 5 March. Funding will be targeted towards organisations and projects that are most needed within the Bailiwick.

We are told that applications "should focus on people in our Bailiwick community, on the services and support they need and are of benefit to our community."

They must demonstrate measurable impact by improving the lives of people with specific needs, disadvantages or vulnerabilities; employment, education or training opportunities; the protection of our natural environment, culture and heritage; improved health and wellbeing for our community; and/or an inclusive community, which challenges the barriers causing disadvantage or discrimination.

Charities can apply for a small grant by submitting an application form via the Foundation’s website HERE. You can also contact the Foundation’s Grants Manager, Anna Le Page, for more information, by emailing anna@foundation.gg.

Applicants for a large grant can be made by contacting the SIF’s Lead Officer, Sadie Siviter de Paucar, by email on Sadie.SiviterdePaucar@gov.gg or by calling 07839 239994.

Pictured top: Jurat Stephen Jones OBE and Jim Roberts.