17 May 2024
The Government of Jersey has allocated £1 million from the Jersey Reclaim Fund to the Jersey
Community Foundation (JCF).
Through JCF, a grant-making organisation, this money will be distributed to local charitable
and voluntary organisations to be applied for charitable purposes.
Set up in 2017, the Jersey Reclaim Fund is administered by the government and made up of
balances in dormant bank accounts in Jersey where contact has been lost with the customer
for more than 15 years.
JCF has placed the money into the Jersey Community Fund, which pools donations from a
number of donors and makes grants to charities and community groups. Priority is given to
organisations and groups supporting the following areas, found to be the most critical in
Jersey following JCF’s 2022 Local Needs Assessment:
- Community inclusion and tackling inequality
- Caring for an ageing population
- Addressing the impact of the cost-of-living crisis and poverty
- Promoting mental health and wellbeing
- Encouraging healthy living, including combating obesity
As well as supporting the community, charities can use part of their grants to sustain or
strengthen the resilience and sustainability of their organisation.
The Chief Minister, Deputy Lyndon Farnham, said: “Charities and the voluntary sector play a
central role in the life of our Island. I am aware of the ongoing challenges they face – with
rising costs and growing demand – and have been determined to assist where possible. I’m
delighted that this funding has been released from the Dormant Bank Accounts Fund,
supporting charities to continue making a difference to Islanders’ lives.”
The Minister for External Relations, Deputy Ian Gorst, said: “I’m pleased to announce our
continued support for Islanders and our community through an additional distribution of £1
million from the Jersey Reclaim Fund. I’m grateful to all those financial services institutions
who support its ongoing operation and enable the use of these funds. Partnering with JCF
ensures that the money will be allocated swiftly and efficiently, assisting those most in need in
Jersey.
“I extend my appreciation to the dedicated volunteers who contribute countless hours to
various charitable causes in Jersey. It's my hope that this distribution provides vital assistance,
allowing the organisations they represent to continue their invaluable work to help others.”
Anna Terry, CEO of JCF, said: “This funding will provide much-needed support to local
organisations that are working tirelessly to help those most in need in Jersey. Our skilled and
experienced team and volunteer grant panels have a strong knowledge of needs across Jersey
and the community groups within it. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the
Government of Jersey for allocating this valuable money to JCF.”
The deadline to apply for grants in this round of funding from the Jersey Community Fund is
23 May 2024. To apply for funding, local charities and voluntary groups should click on ‘Apply
for funding’ on the JCF website and select the ‘Jersey Community Fund’. They can also discuss
their application by emailing Trudy Le Bas at grants@jerseycommunityfoundation.org. There
will be a further grant round in October 2024.
gov.je