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In 2024 we are proud to record that we provided funding of £1,031,401. The main pillar of all our charitable funding and support is focused on charities across the Channel Islands who work with people who are socially excluded or disadvantaged, and need help to enable them to play a fuller role within their local communities. Strategically the Foundation seeks to partner with charities, who work with these individuals, and who can demonstrate that they make a real and lasting difference to their lives.
Thanks to the generosity of the covenant from Lloyds Banking Group (LBG), we continue to be able to support charities delivering incredible work across our islands. We operate with complete independence from LBG but benefit from a unique, strategic partnership, where we are so fortunate for the support we receive at Group level, as well as through our bank colleagues across the Crown Dependencies. In addition to providing funding, we have supported charities through a range of developmental support programmes including mentoring, leveraging the skills and expertise of colleagues and matching them with charities for mutual benefit. This unique partnership enables the Foundation to fulfil our strategic objectives of offering core funding, developmental support and training, and helps to build the resilience and sustainability of the charity sector.
Our year-long Lived Experience programme came to an end in June, with charities embedding Lived Experience in all aspects of their organisation and work. As a pan island programme, it has gone on to provide a peer support group in this area for continued shared learning. Our winter receptions in Guernsey and Jersey were well attended again and a highlight in the year, showcasing the vital work of charities in each of the islands as well as providing a forum for shared conversations and networking between charities, deputies, funders and other sector stakeholders. It’s a celebratory event for the sector with the main objective of allowing charities to demonstrate the incredible work being achieved in partnership with the Foundation.
Our biggest and most exciting announcement for 2025 is the launch of our 40th Anniversary including two special anniversary grant programmes and the expansion of our developmental support offer. We are working closely with the other three Foundations in England and Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland to promote this anniversary, all of us gearing up to provide additional support for charities across the UK and the Channel Islands.
Collaboration and co-production remain as key markers for the Foundation’s work into 2025, supporting charities whose focus is dedicated to those in greatest need. We know that in supporting those best placed and experts in delivering support in these areas, lies the greatest effect. Our efforts in terms of funding and developmental support will continue to be our ambition, working with a range of stakeholders, including government and fellow funders to maximise this impact.
The challenges of islanders’ needs and the continued squeeze on the cost of living remains. As a foundation we will always seek to recognise and respond to these challenges.
2025 will see the Foundation continuing to partner and support charities on the front line as they deliver vital services, and we are looking forward to more opportunities to meet and celebrate and champion the incredible work being done across the islands by our highly skilled and passionate charities.
Finally, we’d like to extend our thanks to all the charities and bank colleagues who feature in the Annual Review.
Philippa Stahelin and Jo Le Poidevin
Chair and Executive Director