Community Foundation Northern Ireland: The Gill’s Charity Fund

Overview

Purpose of the Fund

The Gill’s Charity Fund offers funding to organisations for projects for the benefit of older people resident in the Borough of Carrickfergus (as per the old Local Government area).

In recognition of the needs of older people, and the great work that groups supporting older people are doing, the Community Foundation acquired the management and administration of the Gill’s Charity Fund in 2021. The Fund will be accessible annually.

Who can apply?

• Fully constituted voluntary organisations and community groups based within Northern Ireland, although the project must be strictly aimed at older people resident in the Borough of Carrickfergus only.
• Applying organisations should provide, promote, maintain or manage or organise amenities and facilities for the promotion of welfare or recreational or cultural activities of a charitable nature.
• Organisations with an income level of below £100k

Priority will be given to:

• groups requesting smaller value awards
• locally based projects primarily supporting local people

Examples of types of projects that may be supported:

• Reducing isolation and vulnerability of older people, through supporting participation in activities.
• Reducing the fear of crime amongst older people.
• Encouraging and supporting independence of older people.
• Improving health and well-being, and supporting older people to remain in their homes.
• Supporting older people to keep warm.
• Supporting older people to access a nutritious meal.
• Reducing potential for age discrimination, and/or abuse.
• Enabling older people to access technology.
• Enabling older people to access potential benefits and entitlements that they may not be aware of.
• Engaging older people to take community action.
• Enabling active participation of older people in the community in decision-making, and addressing issues facing their sector.

What can be supported?

• Running costs, such as sessional costs for tutors, venue hire, transport.
• Capital costs are eligible, if essential to the project

Grant size

Grants available up to £3,500