Jersey Community Foundation (FOI)

Request

I would like to understand more about the formation of the new Jersey Community Foundation which was incorporated by Ogier on 6 May and registered with the Charity Commissioner on 7 May number 346.

On the Commissioner's site it states - The JCF's charitable objects are to pool, steward and deploy, by way of grants or other payments, donations or distributions from charitable structures, individuals, families, businesses, funds, the Government of Jersey, or any other body, to support the community of the Island of Jersey provided always that such support is by way of grants or other payments to Jersey registered charities and / or excepted foreign charities as defined under the Charities (Jersey) Law 2014, and / or to charitable purposes. To this end the JCF will seek to create an enduring source of funds dedicated to the good of the community of the Island of Jersey.

A

I would be grateful if you could confirm –

B

If this has been set up to administer the Lottery Funding?

C

What other Government funding will be directed towards this Foundation?

D

How charities will access this funding?

E

How much is being directed to the Foundation?

F

Who decided on the Board of Trustees and how were they appointed?

G

Who created the Foundation?

H

Is this associated with the Jersey Community Partnership?

Response

A to H

The Jersey Community Foundation Limited is a registered charity, independent of the Government of Jersey. However, it is noted that the Ministers for External Relations and Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture requested assistance from the Jersey Funders’ Group in distributing allocated funds to the charitable sector to assist in managing the impact and effect of COVID-19 on the Island community

Information in relation to distributions to / from the Jersey Community Foundation Limited are available within the following Government news release:

Dormant bank account funds to be distributed to local charities  

Any information held by the Government in relation to the specific actions of the Foundation would be exempt from release under Article 35 (Formulation and development of policy) of the Freedom of Information (Jersey) Law 2011.

Any further requests for information should be directed to the Foundation, however it is noted that, as an independent charity, it does not fall under the remit of the Freedom of Information (Jersey) Law 2011.

Article applied

Article 35 Formulation and development of policies

Information is qualified exempt information if it relates to the formulation or development of any proposed policy by a public authority.

Justification

Article 35 is a qualified exemption, which means that a public interest test is required to be undertaken by the Scheduled Public Authority (SPA). The SPA has reviewed the balancing arguments in relation to public interest favouring release versus public interest favouring withholding.

Although there is a need for transparency, accountability, financial and good decision making by public authorities, the formulation of policy and the necessary decision making process in relation to funding the Foundation are ongoing. Release of information at this time would not reflect finalised information and could be detrimental to the process.