Jersey lender launches community fund

Thursday 04 January 2018

A Jersey lender has launched a new fund to help local organisations set up projects to benefit the island-wide community.

Skipton International's new Community Fund will accept applications for grants up to £1,500 from both Jersey and Guernsey organisations, with a total sum of £20,000 set aside for local projects and events.

The sum allocated to the fund could be increased in the future if it is successful. Through it, Skipton hopes to help smaller, innovative charities and organisations, where a small amount of financial assistance will go a long way. Therefore, only those with a project size of £20,000 or less may apply for a grant, where the project’s primary objective is to help individuals from Jersey or Guernsey.

Skipton is already involved with arts on the Island through its ongoing sponsorship of the Open Studios and Arts Series projects with ArtHouse Jersey. Through these events, the bank says it has been privileged to see first-hand the importance of art in bringing together a community. As a firm, Skipton says it now wants to do even more to help.

Pictured: Jim Coupe, Managing Director of Skipton International.

Jim Coupe, Managing Director, commented: “Skipton has always had a strong community presence and we would like to see more events take place that really unite people and can involve the whole Island. We hope that by establishing the Skipton Community Fund, we are giving those most in need an opportunity to apply for funding, supporting smaller organisations that might not normally be recognised.

“Hopefully the Skipton Community Fund will encourage other firms to follow our example and support more initiatives in the community.”

The Fund will have a strong focus on sporting and arts projects, but will accept applications from any organisation on the Island that is looking to fund a local project that will benefit the Island and community as a whole.

Pictured: Skipton is an on-going sponsor of the Open Studios and Arts Series projects with ArtHouse Jersey.

Tom Dingle, Director of ArtHouse Jersey, said: “This is a generous and brilliant offer from Skipton who we know from experience are committed to supporting our local community. There are countless artists and community groups who can benefit from a scheme such as this, with the support very much affecting the grass roots. Funding for artistic activity, particularly at the earlier stages of an initiative, can be hard to secure so I know that the Fund will come as welcome news to many.”

David Kennedy, General Manager of Jersey Sport, added: “While there is clearly a huge amount of sport on offer in Jersey, cost can be a real barrier to participation for many people. It is vital that money is invested in sport to, in turn, contribute to a healthier Island and increase activity levels locally.”