History of the Community Foundation

1979 Northern Ireland Voluntary Trust (NIVT) established with initial grant from
         Government of £500,000. Independent Board reflecting balance in gender and
         community background established.

1982 Major initiative launched, supported by Shell UK, to help villages suffering from a
         decline in rural services

1984 Having matched the initial grant a commitment of a further £500,000 was made
         by Government and launched by His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales

1989 An investment donation of £320,000 jointly from British Telecom and the British
         Telecom Union Committee is given to NIVT. This 'Telecommunities Fund' now
         yields £50,000 per year for grants to needy young people, people with disabilities
         and the elderly. 

1990 Grant-making capacity reaches £750,000 per year, with over 500 awards made
         annually. A further Challenge grant of £500,000 helps the endowment to grow to
         £4m.

1995 NIVT chosen to deliver a significant element of the EU Peace Programme. In the
         next five years it was responsible for awarding £42m to over 2000 projects.

1996 NIVT becomes involved in cross-border funding and a pilot community
         development programme.

1998 Strategic plan prepared to clarify and hone the role of the Trust as an innovative
         grant-making organisation and catalyst for philanthropy. Launch of YouthBank,
         involving young people as grant-makers.

2000 NIVT celebrates its 21st birthday announcing the award of almost £50m to some 
         7000 projects. Baroness Goudie takes on role of patron and heads up fund
         development drive. 

2001 Social Justice Initiatives Fund launched (funded by the Baring Foundation, NI
         Fund for Reconciliation, and Save the Children).  NIVT selected to continue role in
         delivery of EU Peace II Programme to 2006, and to manage Government funded
         programmes in the area of community health.

2002 NIVT changes its name to The Community Foundation for Northern Ireland, sets
         objective to double its endowment base by 2010, and examines the potential of
         range of 'interest' and 'local-area' funds. The Ulster Bank Sir George Quigley
         Award Fund launched.

2003 Challenge grant of £3m secured, together with a commitment of £2m from
         Atlantic Philanthropies. Challenge fund launched by Secretary of State.

2003 Chancellor Gordon Brown endorses Fund Development campaign at  London     
         reception. Further pledges of over £250,000 towards Challenge Fund.

2005 25th anniversary celebrated with events in Belfast, London, and New York.  The
         Foundation receives the Raymond Georis prize for Innovation in Philanthropy.

2007  Foundation achieves its £6 million Challenge Fund goal, exceeding its target by raising £6.4 million.