ARN Foundation

The ARN Foundation is an independent charitable trust dedicated to advancing general charitable purposes across the UK, with a primary focus on Northern Ireland, where it supports those most in need through targeted relief for ill-health, disability, financial hardship, youth, age, or other disadvantages. Established to improve health outcomes, quality of care, and wellbeing, it generates funds from investments and channels them exclusively to verified UK-registered charities via intermediaries, emphasizing public benefit, measurable impact, and trustee-determined priorities. Its distinctive approach is partnership-led and responsive, adapting to emerging needs like the cost-of-living crisis through bespoke funds administered by bodies such as the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland.

It prioritizes mental health initiatives—especially for young men in deprived areas, self-help programs, befriending schemes, and counseling in isolated regions—and tackling isolation and poverty among older people, funding food/fuel access, service expansions, and outreach for vulnerable pensioners. Support targets grassroots projects benefiting underserved communities, with a pattern of addressing profound social challenges like mental health stigma and economic strain.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities (England, Wales, Scotland, NI), preferably small to medium-sized with incomes under £200,000, delivering in Northern Ireland; no religious restrictions apply. Grants typically range from £5,000 to £10,000 for project costs, rarely core or capital funding. Unsolicited direct applications are not accepted—opportunities arise only via advertised intermediary programs (e.g., Tackling Isolation Fund, Mental Health Fund) with adhoc deadlines; monitor partners for openings. Exclusions include non-charities, private benefit, and direct service delivery, setting it apart as a flexible, needs-led funder maximizing impact through collaborations for hard-to-reach groups.