# First Circle of Change fundraising event held in N Ireland

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2019/04/25/first-circle-of-change-fundraising-event-held-in-n-ireland/
- Published: 2019-04-25T10:39:29+01:00
- Author: Howard Lake

**The first European trial of the American concept of ‘Circle of Change’ has raised
£45,000 for a number of Northern Ireland charities.**

The ‘Circle of Change’ was set up by the [Community Foundation for Northern Ireland](http://www.communityfoundationni.org)(
CFNI) and brought together a diverse group of people with a shared desire for social
justice, including a company owner, a refugee, and a recently homeless woman. 

This is the first time that this new giving model has been used outside of North
America.

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## What is a Circle of Change?

A Circle of Change is a group of people from all backgrounds who have come together
to talk about and learn from each other about the root causes of issues affecting
their communities and pool some of their own money and make grants to organisations
working on those issues.

It is not to be confused with a [Giving Circle](https://fundraising.co.uk/2011/04/22/ireland-funds-publish-giving-circle-guidance/),
which have been launched in Northern Ireland, and one of which [opened in Bath](https://fundraising.co.uk/2018/10/11/giving-circle-launches-bath/)
last year.

The Circle of Change’s fund can provide unrestricted **core funding**, and particularly
seeks to fund projects that are innovative or new, and that could not be funded 
by statutory sources of income.

The 18 members of the ‘Circle of Change’ raised £45,000 which will be split equally
between six organisations who tackle a range of issues important to the group including
poverty, mental health and minority communities.

 

## First charity to receive funding

The first charity to benefit, receiving £7,500, is the Love Works Co-Operative, 
based in North Belfast.

Justin Nicholl from Love Works, commented:  “Love Works Cooperative is worker-owned
and through the skills of our members who have experience in gardening, bike repair,
and baking, we try and provide a useful service to the wider community whilst supporting
ourselves.

“This is a huge amount of money to receive in one go; to say we’re delighted is 
an understatement.  It would have taken us a very long time to raise this much money
which we will put to good use in our community.”

 

> Our ‘Circle of Change’ members have split the £45k they raised equally between
> 6 orgs focused on poverty, mental health & minority communities. Congrats @loveworks_coop
> [@jigsawccc1](https://twitter.com/jigsawccc1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) HomeplusNI, 
> Social Space B'fast, Pl. of Victory for All Nations & [#EducationalShakespeareCoLtd](https://twitter.com/hashtag/EducationalShakespeareCoLtd?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
> [pic.twitter.com/UatDQtrTkR](https://t.co/UatDQtrTkR)
> — Community Foundation for Northern Ireland (@CFNIreland) [April 25, 2019](https://twitter.com/CFNIreland/status/1121338474047639553?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

 

Andrew McCracken, Chief Executive of CFNI, said of the new fund: “The Community 
Foundation is always looking for new and innovative ways it can support communities
and ‘Circle of Change’ is a unique concept that’s never been tried outside North
America before.

“Where it differs from many giving circles is the varied nature of the people who
are part of the group – effectively becoming fundraisers and donors, no matter what
their financial means or backgrounds might be, where everyone’s contribution is 
valued equally.”

Andrew Campbell, ‘Circle of Change’ member, added:  “The ‘Circle of Change’ is a
really unique way of giving to good causes.  As a member, I have a say in where 
the money raised goes so I can help causes that are really important to me; something
that I find very appealing.  As a member, every one of our voices was heard and 
even though we’re all from totally different backgrounds it was so interesting to
see the correlation in the things that were important to us, like mental health 
and social justice at all levels.”

Mr McCracken said CFNI were already recruiting for more members to join the ‘Circle
of Change’. Anyone over 18 is eligible to apply which can be done by emailing [an****@*******************ni.org](https://fundraising.co.uk/2019/04/25/first-circle-of-change-fundraising-event-held-in-n-ireland/an****@*******************ni.org).
He said the ripple effect of the ‘Circle of Change’ will go “way beyond the resources
raised”.

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