
The lender for the third sector in Northern Ireland
Ulster Community Investment Trust (UCIT) is a Charity which provides loans exclusively to other third sector organisations such as community groups, charities, sports clubs and social enterprises in Northern Ireland. Since 2001 we’ve committed in excess of £80 million to over 380 organisations in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Visit our Impact Map to find out more about the projects we have funded. To discover more about our lending activities in the Republic of Ireland, please visit the Community Finance Ireland website.

About us
Ulster Community Investment Trust (UCIT) is a Charity which provides loans exclusively to other third sector organisations such as community groups, charities, sports clubs and social enterprises in Northern Ireland. Since 2001 we’ve committed in excess of £50 million to over 360 organisations in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
UCIT was established in response to decreasing grant support from government and the difficulties experienced by community organisations in accessing commercial loan facilities. Start-up funding was received from LEDU (Invest NI) and the International Fund for Ireland (IFI) along with a £6.6m loan book from IFI, Department for Social Development and Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD).
In 2007 UCIT received accreditation from the Social Finance Foundation, Dublin, to enable the organisation to access a fund for investment south of the border. To read more, please visit the website of our sister company, Community Finance Ireland.
During 2012 UCIT's fund management company, UCI plc, achieved Financial Conduct Authority accreditation and the organisation was awarded the management of the £5 million NI Small Business Loan Fund by Invest Northern Ireland.
As a registered charity, all profits generated by UCIT are retained and recycled for reinvestment into the third sector.
Projects supported:


Read more about the impact UCIT funding is having by visiting our Client Map to see how your local charities and community organisations are using UCIT loans to make a bigger impact.
Loans
Who do we lend to?
We lend exclusively to Community organisations, charities and social enterprises, both large and small, located in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Our borrowers include Faith-based initiatives, Sports Clubs, Training initiatives, Childcare schemes, Housing associations, Community transport schemes, Rural development projects and many more…
Finance is available for: buildings and equipment, working capital, cash shortfalls, bridging finance against delayed grants or other confirmed income and restructuring of debt.
Interest Rates - UCIT Interest rates are competitive and depend on the individual circumstances of each borrower.
Repayment Term - UCIT provides both long-term loans and short-term bridging finance. Loan terms are tailored to suit each borrower.
No penalties - UCIT does not penalise against early repayment of loans
Loan size - UCIT loans typically range from £25,000 - £500,000 +
If you would like a chat about whether a loan is the right option for your organisation, our lending team can provide advice and know how gained from many years of involvement within the sector in Northern Ireland. The lending team can be contacted on Tel: 028 90315003.
As a registered charity, all profits generated by UCIT are retained and recycled for reinvestment into the third sector.

Building Better Futures Loan Fund
UCIT are delighted to provide a new loan fund for community groups, voluntary organisations, charities and social enterprises. The scheme which is being jointly funded by Building Change Trust, Belfast Charitable Society and UCIT provides small, unsecured loans ranging from £1,000 to £25,000. The loans can be used for a wide range of purposes, including buildings and repairs, purchase of equipment, making facilities more energy efficient or funding shortfalls in larger grant assisted projects. The Building Change Trust was established in 2008 by the Big Lottery Fund with a National Lottery grant of £10million as an investment for community capacity building and promotion of the voluntary and community sector in Northern Ireland. Belfast Charitable Society was established in 1752 to tackle disadvantage and poverty and in doing so it built the Poor House and Belfast's first Infirmary, which remains as Clifton House. Today, the Society continues to work to tackle disadvantage and promote philanthropy while sharing its vast heritage with others.
Further information about the scheme is available by contacting UCIT on Tel: 028 9031 5003.

Customer stories
UCIT loan finance has supported job creation, community engagement and economic development in many towns and villages in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
Explore our Impact Map to find out more about the projects we have funded.

News

Record year for lending to social enterprises and charities
The Ulster Community Investment Trust (UCIT) has revealed record levels of lending to community organisations, charities, social enterprises and small businesses in 2018 with £12m committed across its business.
Since its inception, UCIT, which is a Registered Charity, has provided loan commitments aggregating £90m to over 500 organisations from a wide range of sectors including the arts, childcare, social care, community regeneration, faith and sports.
Harry McDaid, CEO of UCIT, commented: “Our aim has always been to help organisations grow and continue to have a positive social and economic impact in their community. In essence, we seek to enable communities to enable themselves. As our loan book grows, so does our impact, with increasing numbers of people benefiting from enhanced facilities, additional services and new opportunities.
“The voluntary sector faces a range of challenges at both a micro and macro level and yet the growth in our loan book points towards an ongoing resilience based on an unbroken commitment to community. Despite the challenging and uncertain economic and political outlook, our results reflect the continuing confidence of charities and community organisations to undertake new initiatives geared to the provision of social need.
“In the last year we have launched dedicated funds for the sports sector and childcare sector. Our Building Better Futures Fund, developed in partnership with Building Change Trust and Belfast Charitable Society, tailored to the needs of smaller organisations has proven to be a great success. Early activity in the current year shows no sign of slowing down and we’re planning to launch a dedicated fund geared to the needs of the Rural Community and one aimed at Faith-Based organisations.”
One of the organisations to benefit from UCIT funding in 2018 was the well known and respected Ortus Group. UCIT has supported the Belfast based Enterprise Agency with a number of projects over the years including the purchase of new office space. On this occasion, Ortus used the funding to create a soft play area at Dairy Farm Shopping Centre branded “Roar and Explore”. The funding also helped to create 14 new jobs.
The multi-level play area offers children up to the age of ten the opportunity to play in a safe and fun filled environment. Roar and Explore is a social enterprise with all profits being reinvested back into the area and community.
UCIT funds are available to support a wide range of purposes including property acquisition, capital build projects, the purchase of plant, machinery, equipment and working capital needs.
The UCIT Group also manages the Northern Ireland Small Business Loan Fund on behalf of Invest Northern Ireland. Those interested in finding out more can visit www.ucitltd.com and www.nisblf.com
Job Vacancy - Marketing Manager with Digital Expertise

Building Better Futures Fund helps tackle counselling gap for Derry young people

UCIT launches new £1M Fund to promote growth of NI Childhood services

One Eighty Restaurant among those 'Served up' £850k by Building Better Futures Fund

UCIT assist Irish Premiership Club invest in new Community Education & Outreach centre
Caledon Rovers Football Club ‘pitch perfect’ following loan from Building Better Futures Fund

UCIT puts the 'Fizz' in Clearer Water

Building Better Futures Loan Fund enables Healthy Kidz to invest in growth

Funding for language and cultural groups available

Building Better Futures Loan Fund ‘Steps’ in to assist Portadown social enterprise

UCIT Directors
Alan Moneypenny Chair
Chair of Finance and Audit committee, Riverside Theatre
Damian McAteer Vice-Chair
Director of Waterside Development Trust
Erskine Holmes OBE
Elected member of NI Council Co-operative Group
Jim Malone
Director/Founder Member of Ardee Community Development Company
Michael McGarrigle
Secretary of Council for the West
Douglas McIldoon
Secretary of NI Co-operative Forum
Seamus O’Prey
Chief Executive of ORTUS Group
Ian McAvoy
Chair, Playboard
Martin Stroud
Board Member of Ulster Waterways
Anthony Barbour
Board Member, NI Co-operative Forum
Audrey Murray
Business Development Manager, LEDCOM
William Patterson
Chairman, Farset International
Gary McQuoid
Director at Extern Ireland, NOW Group, Francina Foundation and GJJA Associates Limited.
Community Finance (Ireland) Directors
Alan Moneypenny Chair
Chair of Finance and Audit committee, Riverside Theatre
Michael McGarrigle Vice Chair
Secretary of Council for the West
Kevin Helferty
Director of Buncrana Credit Union Ltd
Jim Malone
Director/Founder Member of Ardee Community Development Company
William Patterson
Director of Farset Development Ltd.
Seamus O’Prey
Chief Executive of ORTUS Group
Andrew Ward
Joint CEO Inishowen Development Partnership
Community Finance (Ireland) Staff
Donal Traynor Associate Director
Marie Carpenter Office Administrator
Terri Martin Office Administrator
Barry Symes Client Relationship Executive
Rose Hally Client Relationship Executive
Fiona Hughes Client Relationship Executive

Download and view our latest reports
Social Impact & Financial Highlights Report 2017
Social Impact & Financial Highlights Report 2016
UCIT is a member of the UK Community Development Finance Association (CDFA). As a member of the CDFA, UCIT must comply to the CDFA Code of Practice.
A copy of our Code of Practice compliance can be found by clicking below

Membership of Ulster Community Investment Trust (UCIT) offers you the opportunity to be part of an exciting and progressive financial institution that is committed to breaking new ground in developing financial solutions for the social economy sector.
As an Industrial and Provident Society, UCIT offers membership by way of share acquisition with a minimum subscription of £250 Sterling (or the Euro equivalent).
A copy of our membership form can be found by clicking below