THE Halifax Foundation has contributed £39 million to more than 11,000 projects in Northern Ireland to help improve the lives of disadvantaged and disabled people since 1985.
The figures were revealed as one of the north’s largest corporate foundations marked its 35th birthday with the pledge to continue to fund charities supporting the most vulnerable groups in society during and beyond the current Covid-19 crisis.
Brenda McMullan, executive director of the Halifax Foundation for NI, said it would maintain its vital role in identifying and funding valuable projects improving the lives of thousands of people.
She added: “We are committed to continuing to support our hardworking, dedicated charities. The past 35 years has seen this Foundation respond to the needs of forgotten communities, providing services such as disability support, debt counselling, support for the elderly, drugs and alcohol awareness, early years interventions and so much more.”
When the Covid-19 outbreak struck earlier this year, the Foundation responded immediately, restructuring its grant giving to support charities and constituted groups to support the most vulnerable during the crisis.
It changed its funding criteria, freeing up resources by allocating emergency grants to groups running food banks and delivering food parcels to those in need. It also funded organisations providing domestic abuse support, mental health provision and online employability support for those who had lost their job as a result of the outbreak.
The Foundation is already looking to the future with the re-launch of two special grant schemes that were deferred at the start of the pandemic but have since been re-instated. Applications are now being considered for 20 projects with a total of £700,000 in funding.
The Large Grants Scheme involves a payment of £50,000 over three years. Successful applicants will be assigned a mentor from Lloyds Banking Group as well as bespoke support relevant to the each charity’s needs. A total of ten awards will be announced in March 2021.
The Special Initiatives Scheme, which allocates £20,000 over two years to successful applicants is designed for charities that support the community and voluntary sector. A further 10 awards will also be announced in March.
The Foundation receives an annual donation from Lloyds Banking Group to fund all its Grant Programmes, including its Matched Giving Scheme, which supports the fundraising and volunteering efforts of staff from Halifax and Lloyds Bank in Northern Ireland.
Halifax Foundation chair Imelda McMillan said: “We have a proud history of supporting those who need it most and looking back on the past 35 years we can see the impact that this funding has had in Northern Ireland. We are determined to continue to support our third sector and make a difference to the lives of many more people here.”
Jim McCooe, Lloyds Banking Group ambassador, added: “The past 35 years has shown that Halifax Foundation for Northern Ireland has been there for communities most in need. It has made real, positive changes to the lives of people right across all areas of our community and it will continue to do so.”
