The Social Investment Fund has announced that in 2025 there is up to £1.4 million available for distribution to the charitable sector, which is an increase of 52% compared to 2024.
Around £300,000 of this amount will be allocated to the Small Grants programme, with the remainder for Major Grants.
The Social Investment Fund (SIF) will open two rounds of Small Grants and two rounds of Major Grants applications this year.
SIF’s Small Grants Programme is now open for applications for 2025 funding, aimed at assisting charities and non-profit organisations (NPOs) which support Bailiwick residents.
Major Grants applications will open in March and further rounds of both programmes will open again in the autumn.
Since the programme was launched in 2021, 102 small grants have been awarded, totalling over £1 million.
Applications are open to registered charities or NPOs operating within or to benefit the Bailiwick of Guernsey and applications should be focused on people in our community, on the services and support they need, or be of benefit to our community.
Under the programme, organisations can apply for a grant of up to £15,000 to put towards one-off projects, capital expenses, or running costs of up to a year’s duration. Applications for salary costs within specific projects, usually of up to one year’s duration, will be considered and any other salary costs may be considered on an exceptional basis for no more than one year.
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
In 2024, 26 charities received a total of £253,188, across a diverse range of causes.
Guernsey Sports Commission was awarded £10,000 towards the operational costs for a Safeguarding and Welfare Task Force; the Priaulx Library received £7,250 towards project support for the completion of their records digitisation project; Guernsey Art Network was awarded £12,500 towards a ‘Creativity Trolley’ participatory arts programme at the hospital and the Eisteddfod received £5,000 towards completion of website development.
Guernsey Child Contact Centre was awarded £16,380 to fund a 6-month trial of increased services; Headway Guernsey received £10,000 towards annual rent and £15,000 was given to the GSPCA towards costs for architect and construction group fees for the first stage of their ‘Big Build’ project. Alderney charities also benefited with Alderney Bird Observatory receiving £4,998 towards NOCMIG technology for remote sensing and identifying of bird species and the Alderney Rugby Football Union Club receiving £5,000 toward volunteer, coaching, training, insurance and equipment costs.
Tim Barker, Chair of the Social Investment Fund, said: “SIF is delighted to be able to distribute significantly more money this year to benefit local charities, as we know that funding continues to be a serious challenge in the current economic climate. This is our first round of funding in 2025: small grants are vital to help charities with running or project costs. We encourage charities of any sector or size across the Bailiwick to apply for support.”
Les Etacs Gannets, Credit: Alderney Bird Observatory
