The main objects of the Victoria Homes Trust are:
- To help and educate young people of both sexes under the age of 21;
- To develop their physical, mental, spiritual and moral capacities so that they grow to full maturity as individuals and members of society and that there conditions of life may be improved:
- To assist in the training of young people to enable them to maintain themselves at the termination of their education and training;
- To assist other non-statutory bodies in carrying out any of the above objects.
The needs of young people are many and the Trust does not wish to overly restrict the scope of applications received by it, however, projects addressing the following needs of children and young persons are particularly welcome:
- Alcohol and drugs abuse
- Homelessness
- Counselling for those in need of guidance, advice and support
Grant Level
The amount of grant available is variable. For guidance it should be noted that the majority of grants are in the range of £500 to £2,500. When applying please remember that the approximate grant total per annum for all projects is £40,000/£50,000.
The Trust has a strong preference for assisting projects within Northern Ireland. Applicants organised on all-Ireland, all-UK or similar basis are recommended to satisfy the Trust that the benefit of the project will be within Northern Ireland and that any assistance given by the Trust is additional to and not in substitution for other forms of internal or external funding.
Preference is given to applications from charities and voluntary organisations with a track record of handling grants and loans.
Only in exceptional circumstances are grants made to individuals.
The Trust has a preference for supporting short-term projects where visible benefits and outcomes are expected over a period of 3-12 months.
The Trust is interested to receive applications where the funding will have a “multiplier” effect by securing or promoting knock-on benefits, e.g. training and outreach programmes which will have a follow-up or cascade effect.
It is important that applicants demonstrate that the project they wish to gain assistance for is confined to the support of children and young adults under the age of twenty-one
Given the preference for demonstrable benefits, which will apply over a short period of time, the Trust is less likely to assist with projects that involve the improvement of lands or buildings.