Frequently Asked Questions

Our Community Grant Programme is a rolling programme, so you can submit an application at any time.

By core funding we mean the everyday running costs that charities face. Although it is important that charities do not rely on us as a main source of funding, we recognise the need for funds to support the salaries of key people, administrative costs and general running costs of projects. 

We currently only have one programme open for applications and charities can only be awarded one grant per year. We encourage applicants to prioritise their needs and submit one application only.  For further details, please contact the grants team - grants@halifaxfoundationni.org 

We ask that you allow up to 10 weeks from receipt of your completed application to a decision taking place.

It is true that not everyone who receives a grant from us gets the full amount they have requested. This is because there is never enough money to meet all requests for funding in full. Your application will be considered on its own merit.

If you are concerned about this or have any other questions, please contact our staff at the Foundation by sending us an e-mail to grants@halifaxfoundationni.org or telephone (028 9032 3000). We will be able to provide you with further information and guidance on the application process.

We are happy to consider applications which ask us to contribute, as one of a number of funders to a project. 

You may withdraw your application and re-submit for another project. You may even be able to re-profile the grant awarded in certain circumstances. 

We only accept applications from organisations that are registered with the Charity Commission in Northern Ireland or with another charity regulator e.g. OSCR.

In order to support our decision making process we ask that you attach your Governing Document, Signed Accounts, Safeguarding Policy and a Job Description (if applicable)

We like to visit as many projects as possible and it is one of the most enjoyable aspects of our work. However, because we receive several hundred applications each year, it is simply not possible to visit all projects. We may make visits during the assessment process, at the evaluation stage and at the end of a grant. Occasionally a Trustee may present certificates to successful applicants.

Further information on how to go about obtaining charitable status can be obtained from the Chairty Comission for Northern Ireland www.charitycommissionni.org.uk/manage-your-charity/register-your-charity/

Should any additional information be required your Grants Officer will request this, therefore please do not submit any additional information.

All charities that receive a grant are asked to comply with the Terms and Conditions of the grant as laid down by the Halifax Foundation for Northern Ireland. This electronic document must be e-signed by the Chair of the organisation. Upon receipt of signed Terms and Conditions the grant will be released. Along with the Terms and Conditions we ask that you return a copy of your most recent bank statement or a blank lodging in slip to confirm account details. 

We will also ask you to complete an evaluation feedback form on how your project has progressed within 12 months of receiving a grant. Again, we are able to offer support with completing this.

If your application is unsuccessful, an e-mail will be sent to you informing you of the decision. The most frequent reason for decline is that demand for support always exceeds funds available. Your Grants Officer will endeavour to give you individual feedback, however at particularly busy periods, this may not be immediately possible.  We will on this occasion offer a pre-application meeting where we can guide you on a new application, whilst addressing the key reasons for decline of a previous application.