The Brian Conlon Foundation

The Brian Conlon Foundation is an independent Charitable Trust set up in Brian’s memory to continue his legacy by supporting causes that were close to his heart and that he was passionate about.

Brian was hugely successful in many walks of life – a high achiever in education, entrepreneurship, sport and in business. When a knee injury ended his budding Gaelic football career, Brian turned his attention to business, setting up First Derivatives from his mother’s spare bedroom in 1996. Now one of Ireland’s most successful companies, it employs nearly 3,000 people with fifteen offices globally. Thousands of local graduates have passed through the company’s HQ in Newry, many of whom ended up being deployed to large financial institutions throughout the world.

Brian was immensely proud of his roots and his hometown of Newry, and, despite all of his success, he remained a humble and generous individual throughout, supporting numerous people and deserving causes, often quietly.

Grants will be awarded to community associations and groups in the Newry area, who are working to advance education, amateur sport, provide opportunities for young people, and assisting communities in the local area.

Grants up to £3,500 will be open for applications.

The Brian Conlon Foundation will support the provision of support for projects based in Newry City – view boundary map here

 

The fund will focus on the following priorities:

  • Advancement of Education

  • Advancement of Amateur sport

  • Opportunities for young people from the local area

  • Assistance for communities in disadvantaged areas

 

This might include:

  • Educational activities supporting people from disadvantaged areas

  • Projects that provide enhanced sporting opportunities for people who are particularly disadvantaged

  • Projects that will directly benefit those disaffected from mainstream education

  • Early years intervention, particularly in disadvantaged areas, within Newry city

 

Awards will be available of up to a maximum of £3,500 to support small community projects. We anticipate, however, that the average grant will be around £2,000.

Under the most recent funding round (May 2023) – 43% of applicants were successful.

Who can apply?

  • Constituted organisations with charitable purposes based within and to support beneficiaries in the Newry city area

Closing date for applications is 9th February 2024.

For more information and to apply, please visit The Brian Conlon Foundation - Community Foundation Northern Ireland (communityfoundationni.org)