The Fund support projects aimed at facilitating community, social and environmental/conservation projects ideally based within Ards and North Down Borough Council or Belfast City Council area. Belfast City Airport officially launched the Community Fund in February 2009 and since its inception has donated nearly £400,000 back into the Greater Belfast community by working with over 150 different groups and projects.

Scheme details

Eligibility

Preference will be given to schools or organisations that have charitable status that apply for community funding.
Organisations applying for community funding must have been established for a minimum of 24 months and be able to demonstrate financial records for a minimum of 12 months.
Preference will be given to applications and projects that benefit all members of the community regardless of age, race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, or religion.
Organisations requesting community funding must provide details of programme feasibility such as level of interest, expected number of participants, and intended outcomes/monitoring.
Churches or places of worship may not be eligible for funding if they are exclusive to other users on grounds of religion. Benefits to the wider community and non-worshippers should be clearly demonstrated.
GBBCA is more likely to support projects where some funds from other sources have been received and where you have also demonstrated your own fundraising.
Detailed costs including copies of estimates and details of funding from other sources must be provided with every community fund application.
A maintenance plan may be required for projects which involve the creation of a physical asset e.g. a garden requiring ongoing maintenance.

Projects aimed at facilitating the following areas and which are ideally based within North Down Borough Council, Belfast City Council, or the Greater Belfast area will be considered;

Community
Education and Training
Health and Wellbeing
Social (including sport, leisure, and recreation)
Environmental and Sustainability

Grants available

There are two types of grants available:

Minor Grants of less than £2,500
Major Grants of more than £2,500

See previously funded projects here

Exclusions

Community Fund money will not be awarded to organisations which have statutory responsibilities such as local authorities, hospitals, surgeries, clinics or schools, unless it is for a project which is over and above the core activities and statutory obligations.
Community Fund money will not normally be made to individuals.
Churches or places of worship may not be eligible for funding if they are exclusive to other users on grounds of religion. Benefit to the wider community and non-worshippers should be clearly demonstrated.
General funding for medical purposes will not be supported.
Community Fund money will not be awarded for the purchase of land and buildings.
Community Fund money will not be made available for salaries.
Community Fund money will not normally be awarded for general repair and maintenance of buildings although a specific item of community benefit may be allowed, such as security or adaptations for disabled use.
Community Fund money will not be made to political parties, commercial organisations or those which are working for profit.
Community Fund money will not be made for recurrent expenditure or running costs.
Community Fund money will not be awarded retrospectively to projects that have already been carried out or have already commenced.

NB If your organisation is unsuccessful in obtaining money from the Community Fund you must leave a period of 1 year before applying again.

NB If your organisation is successful in obtaining money from the Community Fund you must leave a period of 3 years before applying again.

How to apply

For further information and online application form visit the website

All applications will be shortlisted, and GBBCA will normally communicate a decision within eight weeks of your application submission.

Applicants may be required to complete a second stage process which could include a visit to your project, meeting with the Community Fund committee or the supply of additional information.

The Community Fund is open for applications twice a year. Applications are accepted from 1st January to 28th February and from 1st September to 31st October each year. Applications made outside of these periods will not be accepted.

A representative from the airport would be more than happy to discuss the application process with you if required prior to a decision regarding funding.

If you have any further queries regarding the criteria, please don't hesitate to email: communityfund@belfastcityairport.com