Lloyds Bank Foundation for the Channel Islands, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this December, has opened a new grant programme for charities that can demonstrate an increase in demand due to cost-of living increases.
The Foundation will give 10 grants of £40,000 in unrestricted funding. This means that charities can determine how best to use the funds and do not need to apply with a specific funding request.
Commenting on the new grant programme, Executive Director, Jo Le Poidevin, said: “As we celebrate 40 years of impact in the Channel Islands, we want to mark the occasion in a way which stays true to our continued mission – to fund, support and champion charities who work to better the lives of those who are socially excluded and disadvantaged in our community.
“We’ve chosen to specifically support charities who have had experienced an increase in demand for their services due to the cost-of-living because we feel this best reflects the current needs in the Channel Islands. By offering unrestricted funding, we hope to empower charities to use funds in whatever way they feel will best support their community.”
Looking back over the last 40 years provides an opportunity to assess the impact of charities that the Foundation has supported in that time. One such charity is Grow in Guernsey (pictured), which supports adults with learning disabilities and difficulties develop self-confidence and life skills, enabling them to be included and valued within a workplace and the wider community by providing occupational training and mentoring in a safe and stimulating environment. Grow was one of the first charities to receive funding from the Foundation, with the grant then going towards the opening of a greenhouse. Almost 40 years later, the Foundation awarded Grow a further grant towards the charity’s £4million redevelopment and are currently funding the salary of Workshop Manager.
The Shelter Trust in Jersey is another charity which has received support from the Foundation over the last 40 years. They are currently receiving funding from the Foundation to work with women experiencing homelessness and multiple disadvantages, helping them to overcome the barriers faced by women in support of positive change. Last October, Lloyds Bank International colleagues joined Shelter Trust at the charity’s Tinathon event to collect essential food for the Island’s homeless community.
Alongside funding, Lloyds Bank Foundation for the Channel Islands offers developmental support to charities which includes mentoring, charity response forums, skills exchanges and matched giving.
Jo added: “While grant-giving is a hugely important part of our work, our aim is to support charities in as many ways as we can. We’re immensely proud to be able to offer free developmental support through our unique relationship with our sole funder and strategic partner, Lloyds Banking Group, which helps charities to better serve their communities long into the future.”
