The Social Investment Fund (SIF) has launched a new round of applications for its Small Grants Programme aimed at charities and non-profit organisations which support Bailiwick residents.
Since the programme was launched in 2021, 47 small grants have been awarded, totalling over £500,000.
Applications are now open to registered charities or NPOs operating within or for the benefit of the Bailiwick of Guernsey. Applications should be focused on people in our community, on the services and support that they need, or that are of benefit to our community.
Under the programme, organisations can apply for a grant of up to £25,000 to put towards one-off projects or ongoing expenses of a year’s duration, such as running or capital costs. Applications must support one of the following outcomes:
• Improving the lives of people with specific needs, disadvantages or vulnerabilities
• Employment, education or training opportunities
• The protection of our natural environment, culture and heritage
• Improved health and wellbeing for our community
• An inclusive community, which challenges the barriers causing disadvantage or discrimination
Recent small grants recipients represent a wide range of beneficiaries and causes. £3,000 was awarded to La Société Guernesiaise’s Conservation Herd for winter feed, milk powder and repairs to the Landrover; £9,600 towards pitch hire fees for Guernsey Walking Football; towards a renewed website, branding and signage, Choices received £5,921; and the Priaulx Library received £12,000 toward their digitisation project. Relate Guernsey received £25,000 towards operating expenses in 2022 and grants also went to Alderney and Sark, with St Anne’s Preschool Playgroup receiving £6,163 funding for their summer school and Friends of Sark School receiving £20,000 towards outdoor play equipment for the school.
The small grants programme replaces the Christmas lottery grants which used to be distributed by the Association of Guernsey Charities. SIF now has access to all the Guernsey lottery net proceeds, which means there are more funds available for charities which apply to SIF than in the past.
Sadie Siviter de Paucar, Lead Officer of the Social Investment Fund, said:
“Our new round of small grants funding coincides with the Christmas lottery draw, and we are delighted to be able to distribute the proceeds of the lottery to the Bailiwick’s charitable sector. So many areas of our lives are supported by this vital sector and these small grants together can make a large impact on our community. We encourage charities across the Bailiwick to apply for funding.”
For this programme, SIF works with the Guernsey Community Foundation which provides administrative support in coordinating applications.
Organisations can review full information about the grants programme here and can complete and submit an application form online here. You can also contact the Guernsey Community Foundation on grants@foundation.gg or 259523 for any queries about the programme.
Complete applications must be received by 12pm on Tuesday 31st January 2023.
The small grants programme opens for applications twice a year, so a further round will open in summer 2023.
Applications for grants in excess of £25,000 can be made to SIF’s Major Grants Programme, which will open again for applications in Spring 2023.