Derry/Londonderry's Acorn Fund Giving Circle open for applicants

by Gráinne Connolly

The Acorn Fund Giving Circle is calling for applications to its small grants scheme, which provides financial support of up to £500. 

It's available to local groups that work with, or support, children and young people in the Derry/Londonderry City area.

The Acorn Giving Circle is entirely funded by a group of local female philanthropists with the aim of improving the lives of people from the city in a small, but meaningful way.

Formed in 2012 as a response to the establishment of the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland’s Acorn Fund, the Giving Circle has already raised over £20,000.

Coinciding with the launch of Philanthropy Fortnight 2018 (14-25 May), the annual celebration of charitable giving, the Giving Circle is seeking applications for social, cultural, sporting or educational projects that aim to make a lasting difference to the local community. 

The application process is open until Thursday 7 June, 1pm and application forms are available online at www.communityfoundationni.org.

A representative from the Acorn Giving Circle explained where the group is directing its efforts in this funding round:

"The Giving Circle is supporting grass-roots projects to deliver fantastic projects for their communities.

"We’ve already seen how a small grant can make a real and lasting difference, helping improve the lives of young people and giving them new opportunities.

"The Giving Circle aims to prioritise its support to where the need is greatest and where it can make a significant difference.

"We’re particularly keen to support projects that develop entrepreneurial skills in young people."

Previous recipients included Extern, for a year-long project promoting citizenship and volunteering with disengaged young people aged 14 and over.

Throughout the year, the ten young people will work towards gaining their Duke of Edinburgh Awards and undertake a number of work placements within their local community.

Newpin Family Centre also received a small grant towards a fitness and healthy eating programme for families.

Whilst Foyle Parents and Friends ran a series of photography workshops that allowed the young people to explore relationships, issues and solutions in a creative way.

This is the first Giving Circle to be formed in Derry~Londonderry, however, Giving Circles are a well-established form of philanthropy. Groups of individuals donate money and time to a pooled fund and decide collectively where funding will be allocated – either to a local charity or community project.

For more information on how to join the Acorn Giving Circle, or to request an application form email Shauna Kelpie, skelpie@communityfoundationni.org or phone 028 71371547.