Eligible local charities are being encouraged to apply for a grant from the Lloyds Bank Foundation for the Channel Islands (LBFCI) next year to help the Foundation achieve the significant grant-giving milestone of £20 million since being established. 2020 will be the 35th year that the Foundation has supported charities of all sizes that help disadvantaged people play a fuller role in the community.
Commenting on the opportunity presented to local charities, Foundation Executive Director, Jo Le Poidevin explains: “Each year we support incredible organisations of all sizes that help disadvantaged people in our Island communities. Where we are different from some foundations is that we fund salaries and core operating costs for up to three years. In doing so we provide valuable breathing space to charities, giving them the time to develop sustainable funding channels. Many charities are unaware that we do this, and we are keen to see applications from those who may not have applied previously as we enter our milestone year of grant giving.”
LBFCI conducts three rounds of grants each year. Full details of eligibility criteria and how to apply can be found on the Foundation website: www.lloydsbankfoundationci.org.uk/
Deadline dates for 2020 applications are:
Friday 31 January
Thursday 7 May
Friday 11 September
On average, LBFCI supports 30 charities per year across the Channel Islands with grants ranging from £2,000 to £100,000. Support doesn’t stop at financial assistance and LBFCI also facilitate help from Lloyds Banking Group staff with business skills, mentoring and matched fundraising initiatives. This has a dual benefit of helping the chosen charity whilst providing enriching experiences for the Lloyds Bank team.
The last round of grants for 2019 has been announced and provides a flavour of the scale and type of support provided to local charities by LBFCI:
Arts for Impact, Guernsey £15,550 over one year
Towards the salary of the Engagement Director.
Health Connections, Guernsey £16,535 over one year
Towards the costs of an accessible, equitable and evidence-based ‘pilot’ social prescribing initiative that will signpost people in need to various wellbeing initiatives in Guernsey.
St Peter’s Church, Guernsey £10,000 over one year
Towards improving church facilities that will aid accessibility and functionality. Including assisted W.C., kitchenette and improved storage.
Theodora Children’s Charity, Guernsey £23,340 over one year
Towards the development of the Giggle Doctor programme in Guernsey to help reduce the anxiety and bewilderment children experience when in hospital, often for long periods of time.
Healing Waves, Jersey £56,336 over two years
Towards the salary of the Executive Director and Director Services for two years to support existing service demands and fundraising efforts for both weekends and the charity’s alternative curriculum scheme.
Jersey Brook £19,780 over three years
Towards the cost of moving clinical records to a paperless system.
Jersey Hospice Care £27,500 over one year
Towards the proportional cost of respite care provided by six (of 12) registered nurses working in the In-Patient Unit.
Kairos Arts, Jersey £26,000 over one year
Towards two part time staff to manage increasing demand for services of this group of creatives and therapists who help restore hope and dignity through creative arts.
Service Station, Jersey £25,000 over two years
Towards the Fieldworker’s salary for Service Station.
Stroke Association, Jersey £46,000 over one year
Towards the salaries of the Stroke Support Co-Ordinator and Fundraising & Operations Assistant.
Victim Support, Jersey £28,728 over two years
Towards the salary of a part-time Assistant who helps co-ordinate a team of trained volunteers working in both the community and the courts to support victims of crime.
Many charities have flourished thanks to LBFCI’s initial support and continue to provide vital services to the often-hidden disadvantaged. One charity coming to the end of three years of grants from LBFCI is Community Savings in Jersey. In total £43,000 was granted to contribute to their core operating costs and the salary of a Loans Administrator. Community Savings provides practical help and support to financially or socially disadvantaged Islanders who are unable to access mainstream banking.
Commenting on the impact LBFCI’s support has had on the charity, Community Savings Executive Chairman Brian Curtis said: “Our Loans Administrator Lisa takes the time to understand everyone’s financial situation and possible challenges and to explore all the ways that we can help them, even if it’s just signposting them to other agencies who can assist them.”
“A recent comment from a service client sums up the impact our work has had on their lives: ‘Community Savings were very kind to me. I got the confidence out of that kindness and six years later everything is fantastic. Most of it is down to the way they helped me.’
“Without the support of the Lloyds Bank Foundation for the Channel Islands, we wouldn’t have been able to grow Lisa’s post to the vital role it is today in the successful delivery of Community Savings services and we thank them for their support and guidance over the past three years.”
