Who can apply

Our Strengthening Communities programme focuses on supporting people early who are experiencing poverty, disadvantage or discrimination. It may not be suitable for some types of projects we’ve funded in the past. 

Ongoing or repeat funding 

Because the programme is competitive you should not expect ongoing or repeat funding. 

If you are applying for further funding, you must demonstrate: 

• learning from previous funding 
• the impact of previous investment 
• sustainability and income development 

Learning from previous funding 

Tell us what you learned, what changed and how this shaped your new application. 

The impact of previous investment 

Show us clear evidence of the difference your project made to your community. 

Sustainability and income development 

Show us your progress towards financial resilience, including diversifying income and reducing reliance on a single funder. 

New applications 

We fund a range of voluntary, community and not-for-profit organisations.

Your organisation must have been operating for at least 2 years to be eligible for funding. 

You can apply if your organisation is: 

• an unregistered voluntary or community group 
• a voluntary or community organisation that's a registered charity, but not a company registered with Companies House 
   
  (in both the above cases, if you get more than £50,000 funding you must become incorporated, otherwise your trustees or members can be personally responsible for things such as unpaid debts) 
   
• a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee 
• a Community Interest Company (CIC) 

UK-wide organisations 

There should be Northern Ireland representation on your Board or Senior Management Team. You should be able to provide a breakdown of income and expenditure in Northern Ireland and where possible contribute financially to the project. 

You need at least 3 unrelated board or committee members

We consider people related if they are:

• married
• in a civil partnership or long-term relationship
• related through a long-term partner
• living at the same address
• related by blood

All organisations must have at least 3 directors who are not related in any of these ways. This also applies to companies that are also registered as charities.