Deadline: 11-Oct-2026
The Jersey Community Fund supports community-led organisations working to address some of the most significant challenges facing Islanders. Supported through Dormant Bank Accounts, charitable foundations, and private donors, the fund provides grants to organisations delivering meaningful community impact across Jersey.
As the largest grant programme of its kind in Jersey, the fund prioritises initiatives that respond to identified local needs, strengthen community resilience, and improve the well-being of individuals and communities throughout the Island.
About the Jersey Community Fund
The Jersey Community Fund is designed to support organisations that address current and emerging community needs through practical, impactful, and sustainable projects. Funding decisions are guided by local needs assessments and ongoing engagement with charities and community organisations to ensure resources are directed where they can make the greatest difference.
The fund takes a preventative approach to grantmaking, supporting initiatives that address root causes of challenges while also recognising that crisis-response interventions may sometimes be necessary.
Organisations are encouraged to develop projects that respond directly to issues affecting local communities and demonstrate clear benefits for Islanders.
Priority Funding Areas
The Jersey Community Fund focuses on five key priority areas that reflect the most pressing needs within the Island.
Supporting an Ageing Population
Projects may focus on improving the quality of life, well-being, independence, and social participation of older people.
Examples may include:
- Support services for older adults
- Social connection initiatives
- Activities that reduce isolation and loneliness
- Programmes that promote healthy ageing
Reducing the Impact of Poverty and the Cost of Living
The fund supports initiatives that help individuals and families experiencing financial hardship.
Areas of focus may include:
- Poverty reduction initiatives
- Financial support services
- Food security programmes
- Community assistance projects
- Cost-of-living support measures
Supporting Mental Health
Projects that improve mental health and emotional well-being are encouraged.
Potential activities include:
- Mental health support services
- Early intervention programmes
- Community well-being initiatives
- Support networks and outreach services
Preventing Ill Health and Promoting Healthy Lifestyles
The fund supports preventative approaches that improve health outcomes and encourage healthier lifestyles.
Examples include:
- Health promotion programmes
- Physical activity initiatives
- Preventative health services
- Community health education projects
Community Inclusion and Tackling Inequality
Projects that create more inclusive communities and reduce inequality are a key priority.
Supported initiatives may focus on:
- Social inclusion
- Equal access to opportunities
- Community participation
- Reducing barriers faced by disadvantaged groups
- Strengthening community cohesion
Who Can Apply?
The fund is intended for community-led organisations operating in Jersey that are working to address clearly identified local needs.
Applicants should be able to demonstrate:
- A clear understanding of the issue being addressed
- Evidence of community need
- Defined beneficiaries or target groups
- Realistic and achievable project plans
- Positive outcomes for Islanders
- Capacity to deliver the proposed activities
Organisations are encouraged to present projects that respond directly to current challenges facing communities across Jersey.
What Types of Projects Can Be Funded?
The Jersey Community Fund supports a broad range of community initiatives.
Eligible projects may include:
- Community support programmes
- Health and well-being initiatives
- Poverty reduction projects
- Inclusion and equality programmes
- Preventative services
- Community outreach activities
- Capacity-building initiatives
- Programmes supporting vulnerable populations
Projects are not required to fit within only one priority area. Applications addressing multiple community needs are welcomed and may demonstrate broader impact.
Core Costs and Organisational Support
Unlike many grant programmes, the Jersey Community Fund recognises the importance of organisational sustainability and resilience.
Funding may include support for:
- Core organisational costs
- Operational expenses
- Capacity-building activities
- Organisational resilience initiatives
- Sustainability planning
Where these costs contribute to long-term impact and effective service delivery, they may be considered as part of an application.
Capital Projects and Other Charitable Purposes
Capital projects are not typically funded through the programme.
However:
- Exceptional capital funding requests may be considered
- Projects outside the priority themes may be reviewed
- Applications must clearly demonstrate a response to current needs within Jersey
The fund maintains flexibility where strong evidence of community need and impact can be demonstrated.
Assessment Considerations
Applications are assessed based on their potential to create meaningful and measurable impact for Islanders.
Key considerations include:
- Evidence of need
- Understanding of beneficiaries
- Expected outcomes and impact
- Alignment with current community challenges
- Organisational capacity to deliver
- Long-term sustainability
- Efficient use of resources
- Community collaboration and partnerships
Applicants should explain how their activities will make a difference and why the proposed support is needed.
How to Strengthen an Application
Organisations are encouraged to provide clear and evidence-based proposals.
Strong applications should include:
- Relevant data and research
- Community insights
- Lived experiences of beneficiaries
- Clearly defined needs and challenges
- Realistic delivery plans
- Measurable outcomes
- Sustainability considerations
- Details of any barriers affecting service delivery
The fund values transparency and encourages organisations to explain the support that would make the greatest difference to their work and beneficiaries.
Why the Jersey Community Fund Matters
The Jersey Community Fund plays a significant role in strengthening the Island’s charitable and community sector. By directing funding toward priority social issues, the programme helps organisations respond to immediate challenges while also building long-term resilience.
The fund contributes to:
- Stronger communities
- Improved health and well-being
- Reduced inequality
- Greater social inclusion
- Enhanced support for vulnerable populations
- Sustainable community development
- Increased organisational resilience
Its preventative approach helps address underlying issues before they become more severe while maintaining flexibility to respond to urgent community needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the Jersey Community Fund?
It is a grant programme that supports community-led organisations addressing key social challenges and community needs across Jersey. - What are the main funding priorities?
The priorities include ageing well, reducing poverty and cost-of-living pressures, supporting mental health, promoting healthy lifestyles, and tackling inequality and exclusion. - Who can apply for funding?
Community-led organisations in Jersey that can demonstrate community need, clear beneficiaries, and positive outcomes. - Can projects address more than one priority area?
Yes. Applications that respond to multiple community needs are welcomed. - Can funding cover core organisational costs?
Yes. Core costs may be supported where they contribute to organisational resilience, sustainability, and long-term impact. - Are capital projects eligible?
Capital projects are not usually funded, although exceptional cases may be considered. - What evidence should applicants provide?
Applicants should present data, community insights, lived experiences, and other evidence demonstrating the need for their proposed activities.
Conclusion
The Jersey Community Fund provides vital support to community-led organisations working to address the most pressing challenges facing Islanders. Through its focus on ageing, poverty, mental health, healthy living, and inclusion, the fund helps organisations deliver meaningful and lasting impact across Jersey. By supporting both direct services and organisational resilience, the programme strengthens communities while promoting long-term social well-being and sustainability.
For more information, visit Jersey Community Foundation.
