One of Northern Ireland’s leading charitable foundations has urged charities to apply for funding grants as it announced a major rebranding.
Lloyds Bank Foundation for Northern Ireland which has contributed £33.8m to the Voluntary and Community sector over the past 30 years has been re-named the Halifax Foundation for Northern Ireland.
Executive Director, Sandara Kelso-Robb said the decision to rebrand was made because the Halifax, which is part of Lloyds Banking Group, has a very strong presence in Northern Ireland with 16 local branches, a major contact centre and many thousands of customers. Rebranding in this way will further help drive recognition across the charitable sector for the Foundation.
“The Foundation’s funds come directly from Lloyds Banking Group and Halifax and its colleagues play a key role in this. The Foundation invests nearly £1.3 million in local charities each year in order to make the biggest difference to disadvantaged people here in Northern Ireland. We are committed to supporting these vital organisations and would encourage charities here in Northern Ireland to apply for grant funding now,” she explained.
Jim McCooe, Lloyds Banking Group’s Regional Ambassador for Northern Ireland said: “The Foundation’s decision to rebrand and use Halifax in its title will mean so much to our colleagues in Northern Ireland and further enhance the pride they have for the incredible work the Foundation undertakes every day.”
The Foundation will now accept applications throughout the year, no longer working towards quarterly closing dates, offering more flexibility to local registered charities. Through its grant programmes in 2015 the Foundation approved grants of £1.27 million, amounting to 647 separate grants for groups from every corner of Northern Ireland.
Ms Kelso-Robb paid tribute to the incredible work carried out by all of the community-based organisations that have helped so many people over the past 30 years.
She added: “Through these grant programmes we have provided significant support for the most vulnerable in society making a huge difference in communities throughout Northern Ireland. Under our new name of Halifax Foundation for Northern Ireland we will continue to help those people throughout Northern Ireland who are at the forefront of delivering positive change.”
For more information on how to apply for grants go to www.halifaxfoundationni.org
