The Community Foundation for Northern Ireland connects people who care with causes that matter.

For over 35 years they have been a trusted, secure means through which donors choose how, when and where they give, by helping them to set up funds, supporting them to make grants and to see the impact of their donations on local communities in greatest need. 

They believe in the power of community activity to change Northern Ireland for the better.

They were established in 1979 as the Northern Ireland Voluntary Trust before changing their name to the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland in 2002. Throughout their history they have been committed to addressing the challenges of peacebuilding, social justice and effective community development. They work in partnership with communities, encouraging them to be proud of who they are and what they have achieved; and with donors local and international, helping connect them to people and projects who are transforming our community.

They work with individuals, groups and charities who are transforming our communities.

Their work has two principal elements:

• They are a Grant Maker: They manage grant making programmes for a range of organisations, including Comic Relief, Big Lottery and Santander as well as distributing our own grants. In the last year they managed over £1.2million in grants. Their grantees include older peoples groups striving to reduce poverty and isolation; youth organisations helping young people to develop employable skills; women from disadvantaged backgrounds who require support to build their confidence and secure a better future for themselves and their families.  Regardless of size and purpose, the common theme linking all their grant programmes is that they provide individuals and groups with tools and support to make positive changes to their lives. 
• They Promote and Enable Generosity: Using their experience of the issues and challenges facing local communities, they connect individuals, families and businesses to issues and causes that are important to them, in ways that have lasting impact and which help to tackle poverty and inequality and promote a peaceful, inclusive society.