Wednesday 03 February 2021
The Social Investment Fund (SIF) is delighted to announce the launch of its Major Grants Programme, which seeks to support the financial sustainability of the Bailiwick's vital charitable sector.
Applications are open to registered charities or non-profit organisations operating within or to benefit the Bailiwick of Guernsey, for grants of over £25,000.
The programme aims to target funding towards organisations and projects which are most needed within the Bailiwick. Applications should focus on people in our Bailiwick community, on the services and support they need and are of benefit to our community. They must demonstrate measurable impact against these wide 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.
SIF was established as an independent charitable company in 2020. Its purpose is to use both public and privately-donated funds to invest in the third sector. Government recognises the important role that charities have in the community in the Bailiwick and the major grants which will be awarded by SIF will support this.
After its launch in April 2020, SIF immediately responded to the Covid-19 crisis by launching a successful appeal for donations to support local charities. The result of the generosity of donors meant that SIF distributed nearly £470,000 to charities who were suffering financial hardship as a result of the lockdown then. SIF is now focusing on its original plans of providing grants to the charitable sector and has recently launched a Small Grants Programme which supports charitable activities and projects across the whole of the third sector.
Funding for the grants programmes comes initially from the net proceeds of the Channel Islands Lottery, and in future, other sources of States and previously unavailable funding will be earmarked for SIF's grants programmes.
Jurat Stephen Jones OBE, chair of the Social Investment Fund, said:
"The Board of the Social Investment Fund is excited to embark on our grants programmes which we hope will have a large impact on the Bailiwick's charitable sector. Notwithstanding our current difficult circumstances, the third sector always plays a vital part in island life and the Major Grants Programme aims to assist charities which provide support to those most in need, improving the lives of all Bailiwick residents and the environment in which we all live.
We are committed to working transparently, to the highest standards of governance, in the way we invest the public's money back into the community. We look forward to providing regular reports on where and how funds are being invested through our new grants programmes."
Applications can be made by contacting SIF's Lead Officer, Sadie Siviter de Paucar by email on Sadie.SiviterdePaucar@gov.gg or by calling 07839 239994. Complete applications must be received by Friday 5th March. Further information can be found at https://www.sif.gg
