Halifax Foundation for NI: IGNITE Programme

Overview

IGNITE provides funding for registered charities set up within last 2 years (Registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland or if registered with another charity regulator in the UK/Ireland, you must show that you operate in Northern Ireland.)

The purpose of this grant is to support you in the early stages. Perhaps you are in need of furniture, equipment, salary contributions, need to cover core costs, or something else?

Priority will be given to charities with limited funds available to them.

In line with the priorities of The Halifax Foundation, your charity must support people in greatest need.

• For example, supporting people living in poverty; those who are unemployed; those with disabilities or mental ill health. (This is not an exhaustive list – other areas of need will be considered.)

Flexibility Commitment

Halifax Foundation NI recognise that costs you need supported at the time of application may not be what you need throughout the lifetime of your grant. They encourage you to speak to your grants officer should things change and they will endeavour to be as flexible as possible. (Please note – you must receive confirmation of approval before changes are made.)

Types of charities they fund

Social and Community Welfare

• Community Services: Family centres, youth clubs, older peoples clubs, afterschool clubs, self-help groups, childcare provision, preschools and playgroups.
• Advice Services: Homelessness, addictions, bereavement, family guidance, money advice, helplines, suicide awareness.
• People with disabilities: Residences, day centres, transport, carers, information, advice and advocacy.
• Promotion of health: Information and advice, mental health support, independent living, day care.
• Civic Responsibility: Young people at risk, crime prevention, promotion of volunteering, victim support, mediation, rehabilitation of offenders.
• Cultural Enrichment: Improving access to the arts and heritage for those in greatest need.

Education and Training

• Employment: Employability skills, personal development support, interview and job coaching.
• Training and Education: Accredited, vocational, personal development training, life skills.

*They have developed additional guidance for PTAs. Click here for further information.

Funding Limit

• Maximum Award - £2,000

Mentoring and training is also available as part of this programme. See here.

Examples of Costs that may be considered

• Materials & Equipment
• Salary Contributions
• Overheads / Core costs
• Transport costs
• Volunteer expenses
• Training / Tutor costs
• Activity costs
• Minor refurbishment

Eligibility

• Your organisation needs to be a registered charity: Your group needs to be a registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland or other charity regulator within the UK or Ireland. Your application must support people residing in Northern Ireland.
• Your charity cannot hold a current live grant with the Foundation: If you currently hold a grant, you cannot be considered for an IGNITE grant.
• Your organisation must be established within the last 2 years: Your group needs to be newly set up to be eligible for this funding. The date your group was formally set up is the date your constitution was adopted and signed. If this date is greater than 2 years, you cannot apply for IGNITE but you may be eligible for support via their Community FLEX Programme.
• You must have at least 3 unrelated trustees/board members: In addition, you must follow the rules around the minimum number of Trustees/Board Members as set out in your governing document.
• You must have a safeguarding policy in place, reviewed at board level: If you work with children, young people or vulnerable adults, you must have a safeguarding policy in place. For further information published by NSPCC, click here
• Your application must fit within your charitable purpose as outlined in your governing document: Your application must be for activities that fit within the objects of your charity. For guidance published by the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland, click here
• Your application must not be completed by a fundraising consultant: They do not accept applications completed by a professional fundraising consultant. If you need support to complete this application, sign up for one of their pre-application support sessions at grants@halifaxfoundationni.org