ANNUAL REVIEW 2017 HALIFAX FOUNDATION FOR NORTHERN IRELAND CONTENTS 1. Chairman’s Report 3 2. Executive Director’s Report 5 3. Grants Overview 7 4. Matched Giving Scheme 9 5. Community Grant Programme 11 6. Community Grants Awarded 13 7. Community Grant Programme Process 20 8. Special Initiatives 23 9. Charity Mentoring Programme 24 10. Basic Bookkeeping Workshops 25 11. Trustees of the Foundation 26 12. Trustees’ Statement & Independent Auditors’ Report 29 13. Statement of Financial Activities 31 PETER PAN PLAYGROUP Peter Pan is a cross community playgroup which aims to promote a play based learning environment, developing the physical, social, emotional and cognitive needs of each child. 2 £3,142 Towards sensory garden materials Grants awarded since 2015 Total since 2015 & multi-media equipment CHAIRMAN’S REPORT 2017 I'm delighted to report that the Foundation has had Our third programme, Special Initiatives, is intended like to express our very great appreciation of their yet another successful year. to support significant change occurring within the efforts, especially as staff structures have recently voluntary and community sector as a whole. During been subject to considerable change. In 2017, Lloyds Banking Group transferred to the 2017 we made four awards (compared to only one Foundation £999,624 from its profits as part of its in 2016). My own personal thanks must also go to all of our ongoing commitment to support our charitable invaluable Trustees, who give unstintingly of their activities. This figure includes a total of £42,250 for We also provide non-cash support; and this year we time and expertise to ensure that we maintain good gifts in kind, which consists of office were delighted to launch the Charity Mentoring governance standards, meet our objectives accommodation, staff support, and a range of other Programme. This project links highly skilled Bank successfully, and also operate as efficiently and practical assistance. During the year, the Foundation staff with senior charity personnel to provide advice effectively as possible. On behalf of all the Board, I was particularly pleased to receive from the Bank the and assistance in areas such as leadership, would also like to thank Janet Leckey, who steps use of offices in central Belfast. This has enabled us governance, HR and financial management. down in March 2018, as I will do myself. Since the to save more than £30,000 per year in rent and other Nineteen matches were established following initial closing of the financial year in December 2017, we charges and use these monies for our charitable training, the majority of which are continuing to have also welcomed Nuala Dalcz, and Gillian Boyd work. operate extremely well. as new Trustees. I hope they will be inspired by, and find great satisfaction in, contributing to the work of The Community Grant Programme continues to be We also commissioned NICVA to develop a Basic the Foundation, as I have over the past ten years of the cornerstone of the Foundation’s work. Through Bookkeeping Course. This programme addresses a my trusteeship. it we offer support to charities working specifically weakness experienced especially by the very small with disadvantaged and disabled people. In keeping solely volunteer-run organisations, which we Over the past decades, I believe the Foundation has with Charity Commission guidance, we only accept detected via our regular monitoring and evaluation. created a special space for itself in the Northern applications from organisations that are either So far, 233 charity representatives from all parts of Ireland community. We wish to sustain this by formally registered as charities or are in the process Northern Ireland have done the training, through continuing to address important voluntary sector of doing so, the latter being included on the Charity classes established in all local authority areas. In issues and also searching for creative ways to Commission's “deemed list”. addition to the training itself, participants will also alleviate disadvantage and disability in all their be able to use a bookkeeping e-tool, which includes aspects. We also continued to administer the Matched Giving on-line templates to make it much easier to keep the Scheme for Lloyds Banking Group colleagues. In this necessary records. Dr Brian Scott arrangement, the Foundation matches both the cash Chairman sums raised for chosen charities by bank staff, and The success of the above programmes and initiatives 13 March 2018 also the value of their generously provided volunteer during the year, is the result of the continuing time. dedication and hard work of the Officers of the Foundation. On behalf of all of the Trustees, I would Halifax foundaTion for norTHern ireland annual reVieW | 3 INTER-ETHNIC FORUM (MID AND EAST ANTRIM) Supports the BMe communities in Ballymena to have equitable access to services offered by statutory and voluntary bodies by providing bi-lingual support in Polish, Czech/Slovakian, Bulgarian and romanian. 4 £16,860 Towards rent, interpreting, Grants awarded since 2012 Total since 2012 publicity and running costs EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT 2017 It is with immense pride that I compile the 2017 The Foundation also provides a ‘Special Initiative’ None of the achievements of 2017 would be Annual Report, and I am very pleased to report that strand of the Community Grant Programme, grants possible without the support of our sole donor, the Foundation has had a highly productive year. intended to support the sector as a whole. In 2017, Lloyds Banking Group, and as a result of their we made four such grants, totalling £27,881 to Rural ongoing commitment, we have been able to effect Our voluntary and community sector in Northern Community Network, Institute of Fundraising, Chief real and positive change. This year saw the launch Ireland continues to experience great challenges as Officers of the Third Sector (CO3) and Nexus NI. of the Charity Mentoring Programme, matching they strive to support the most impoverished in our senior Lloyds Banking Group colleagues to grantees communities in the face of budget cuts and ongoing As you read through the 2017 annual review, I hope requiring the support of a mentor. This programme economic austerity. The Foundation has been you will gain a sense of the wide reach of our has had a successful start, and I hope it will continue fortunate, therefore, in being able to continue investment in the community. on into the future, strengthening our offering to the providing reliable funding to charities operating at In a year characterised by uncertainty throughout the third sector, in collaboration with local bank staff. the coalface in such difficult circumstances. sector, the Foundation has been able to maintain The success of the Foundation would of course not Our Community Grant Programme continues to be maximum support for the most vulnerable in our be possible without the dedication of our Board of the foundation of our grant making. In 2017, we society. We know that our contributions, both Trustees and Foundation Team. I would like to supported 293 charities to the tune of £938,944 via financial and non-financial, have made a meaningful express particular thanks to our outgoing Chairman, this programme, giving a modest average grant of difference in communities throughout Northern Dr Brian Scott, whose commitment to the £3,205 per recipient. In turn, these charities estimate Ireland, and we are confident that our partnership Foundation and the charities that we support was that their activities will impact upon the lives of a with the sector, and collaboration with other funders, greatly appreciated. I would also like to extend a remarkable 391,429 people living in all parts of will continue to be of benefit. warm welcome to our recently appointed Chair, Northern Ireland. Our inspiration comes from the hundreds of charities Mrs Imelda McMillan, and Deputy Chair, Mrs Paula Our colleagues in Halifax and Lloyds Banking Group that we engage with each year – from those Leathem whose knowledge of the private sector is also participate actively in the Foundation’s Matched individuals who feel compelled to make a difference an invaluable asset to the Foundation. Giving Scheme which amplifies staff charitable in the lives of others, who give generously of their As we move in to 2018, we are both enthused and fundraising and volunteering through contributing a time, who provide practical, professional, and excited at what the Foundation can offer the third similar value up to a maximum of £1,000. 326 of monetary support to so many organisations. They sector in Northern Ireland, with Mental Health and these matched applications were approved during and all those involved are a lifeline to people across Pitching 4 Pounds programmes on the horizon, we the year, totalling £120,632. A particular aspect of all aspects of need. Our areas of focus are far- are already seeking out new ways to be responsive the scheme is that the staff themselves select the reaching and diverse, and include food banks, to the needs of the charities we support. charities they wish to support. We commend their autism support, learning disability, early years philanthropic determination, and we are very proud support, youth and older people services, and many, Brenda McMullan of their achievements. many more. Executive Director Halifax foundaTion for norTHern ireland annual reVieW | 5 IN YOUR SPACE Based in derry/londonderry, this arts charity works mainly in the fields of circus, street theatre, music and performance providng personal development and personal creativity opportunities through the 4 £14,950 Towards facilitator fees powerful vehicle of circus and performance. Grants awarded since 2012 Total since 2012 and marketing materials GRANTS OVERVIEW NUMBER OF GRANTS FUNDED BY GEOGRAPHICAL AREA The Halifax Foundation for Northern Ireland supports charitable organisations within Antrim Northern Ireland to enable people, who are Derry/Londonderry 58 disadvantaged or with special needs, to 68 participate actively in their communities.