Fermanagh Trust

The Fermanagh Trust, an independent community foundation established in 1995, serves as the sole dedicated funder for County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, promoting charitable initiatives that enhance social and community development to improve quality of life in the region and its immediate border hinterland. Rooted in a vision of sustainable endowments, its ethos emphasizes community-led action, partnership, positive citizenship, leadership development—especially for youth and underrepresented groups—diversity, collaboration, and continuous improvement. It blends grant-making with practical support like networking, governance advice, and infrastructure via its social enterprise, Fermanagh House, a community hub fostering voluntary sector resilience.

The Trust prioritizes social inclusion, regeneration, anti-poverty efforts, peacebuilding, reconciliation, and skills/leadership programs, funding grassroots initiatives, education/mentoring, youth engagement, community infrastructure, capital works, core costs, and capacity building for voluntary groups, schools, disadvantaged communities, and social enterprises. Examples include the National Lottery-funded Community Leadership programme, rural development funds, and grants via Grow the Glens or the Encirc Tackling Poverty Fund.

Eligible applicants—community groups, social enterprises, and academic institutions (e.g., schools)—must operate primarily in Fermanagh or adjacent border areas, with preference for small/medium-sized entities of modest means; wider Northern Ireland or Republic of Ireland access is fund-specific. Typical grants range £500–£3,000, occasionally higher for capital projects. Unsolicited applications use downloadable Word forms submitted by email/post to fund-specific deadlines (e.g., expressions of interest 1–29 Oct 2025 for capital funds; check website), with 8–12 week decisions. It excludes professional consultants and non-charitable activities, distinguishing itself as a locally embedded catalyst for sustainable, impact-driven renewal.