This fund aims to promote and invest in a resilient and effective independent community sector across Belfast by supporting the running costs of community buildings, in recognition that the community development activity inside allows communities to be engaged to:

Influence or take decisions about issues that matter to them and affect their lives.
Define needs, issues, and solutions for their community.
Take action to help themselves and make a difference.

Grants of up to £20,000 per year are available over three years (2023-2026). Awards will be paid by BACS transfer in six equal instalments over three years.

Formally constituted, not-for-profit, autonomous community development organisations can apply.

Applicants must:

Operate a broad-based programme of activity to meet community needs and support community development.
Operate from a community building that is welcoming, inclusive, and compliant with all relevant legislative requirements for the running of a community building.
Have the right to use the building to deliver their programme.

Organisations that have been operating for several must provide the following:

A copy of their most recent, current, signed annual accounts that are no more than 18 months old.
Management accounts dated within the last three months and sighed by the chairperson or treasurer.
Copy of their most recent three months’ bank statement.

Recently established organisations must provide the following:

Management accounts dated within the last three months and sighed by the chairperson or treasurer.
Copy of their most recent six months bank statement.

Funding can be used to cover running costs for community buildings to enable groups to respond to community needs by delivering a broad-based programme and supporting community development. This includes, but is not limited to:

Cleaning.
Health and safety, including security.
Insurance.
Maintenance costs.
Office supplies.
Telephone, postage and IT costs.
Utilities – gas, electricity, oil, and water.
Rent.
Audit.
Staff who can carry out functions linked to the running of the building, such as caretakers, and cleaners.

A ‘broad-based’ programme must provide at least three activities for each of the following age groups: