The Ireland Funds
Heart of the Community Fund

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The Ireland Funds Heart of the Community Fund is providing critical and timely funding to a wide range of not-for-profit organizations across the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

THE NEEDS IN IRELAND TODAY

Due to the challenges of COVID-19, communities around Ireland have become more isolated than ever before. Through our response funding and support over the last year, we saw time and time again the strength of local communities during these extraordinary times. Local community leaders are at the heart of their community. They know what the needs are and are already on the ground delivering support.

These people are at the heart of their communities. We want to ensure that they get the urgent support that they need and know they are not alone.

ENGAGE

We know the needs are urgent. This is an open and broad call to communities across the island of Ireland.

ASSESS

The expertise of our Grants Team identifies the areas where your generosity will make the most impact.

SUPPORT

Immediate help is being offered to qualifying organizations.

WHAT SIZE GRANTS ARE BEING MADE?

€2,500 AND €5,000

We have seen that for many grassroots organizations a grant at this level can be game-changing. It also offers our donors an extraordinary opportunity to touch diverse needs across numerous communities.

As The Ireland Funds has responded to the COVID-19 challenges, it has not only been a chance for us to lead, but a chance for us to listen.

WE CAN PROVIDE DIRECT SUPPORT AT A LOCAL LEVEL

We see that in communities across Ireland, both rural and urban, local organizations are quietly working at a heartbeat level with those in need. These grassroots groups may not have huge resources, but they know when a family needs extra support or when a person up the road is isolated and needs someone to check in. 

WE CAN INCREASE RESPONSE AND BUILD RESILIENCE

The Heart of the Community Fund is helping these uniquely-placed organizations increase their response and bolster their resilience. Grants will not only assist with day-to-day operations, they will help groups plan for a post-pandemic environment.

In 2020 as the world faced the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, The Ireland Funds established the COVID-19 Response Fund. Thanks to your generosity, over 40 organizations providing frontline services received emergency support.

The Heart of the Community Fund is the next chapter of our commitment to communities in need.

PROJECTS SUPPORTED BY COUNTY

LIFELINE (INISHOWEN) DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SERVICES

Lifeline is the only community-based domestic violence service covering the large, remote, and economically deprived area of the Inishowen Peninsula in Co. Donegal.

Demand for Lifeline’s services has dramatically increased during the pandemic. Helpline calls in January 2021 were double that of January 2020 and they have seen a twofold increase in requests for child counseling.

€5,000 has increased their child counseling service by providing more direct child counseling hours, supporting the needs of new volunteers, increasing the hours of service, and improving operations

“It is amazing to see the light coming back into her eyes.”
~ Counselor

CANCER CHOICES

Cancer Choices in Co. Tyrone, Northern Ireland, is a patient-led organization supporting local people affected by cancer. They meet the individual needs of clients by providing information, one-to-one support, counseling, complimentary therapies, home visits, a 24-hour helpline, advocacy, and signposting.

The reality of fundraising during the pandemic means that Cancer Choices has struggled to provide free services to people affected by cancer in their community.

€5,000 is enabling them to respond immediately to those diagnosed with cancer, which will reduce fear, isolation, and loneliness often experienced by people affected by cancer.

“Cancer Choices was and continues to be a vital part of my recovery from cancer. They are amazing, they are such a support and to know that they are there relieves anxiety and worries.”
~ Service User

COISTE MEITHIL OIBRE KILENNE CUIDEACHTA FAOI THEORAINN

Meithil Oibre Kilenne is a community sports center on Inis Mór, the largest of the Aran Islands located in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Co. Galway. It is the only sporting facility on the island and for the past 20 years has been a lifeline for the community living there.

The center’s entire income is usually generated through fundraising so, when the pandemic hit, its activities were directly impacted.

€5,000 has bought sanitizing equipment, cleaning materials, and has paid for pitch maintenance, allowing it to safely reopen and get people active again.

“We really appreciate this funding, especially during these uncertain times. It will be a big help in operating such an important community facility on the island.”
~ Club Secretary

CARRIGALINE FAMILY SUPPORT CENTRE

Carrigaline Family Support Centre in Co. Cork provides a holistic wellbeing family support service to its rural community. They arrange one-to-one assistance to those in need as well as significant crisis-prevention to people of all ages.

The pressures surrounding ongoing restrictions and lockdown have placed a huge strain on many families.

€5,000 is providing play, art, and talk therapy interventions to those most vulnerable in their community who have been affected by the pandemic restrictions.

“On behalf of my underfunded, oversubscribed service, doing what we can to help people post-Covid, and from the bottom of my heart, I thank you.”
~ Center Manager

22ND OLD BOYS & LADIES FOOTBALL CLUB

22nd Old Boys & Ladies FC is situated in North Belfast, an area of social and economic deprivation, and high suicide rates.

COVID-19 has exacerbated the youth mental health crisis, placing additional pressures on community resources.

€2,500 is providing quality coaching and facilities to young people through football matches and training, incorporating mental health themes to promote positive mental awareness within the club and wider community.

“I can’t thank The Ireland Funds and its donors enough for helping us to empower our young people and help provide a much needed sporting outlet within our local community.”
~ Club Secretary

NEW HORIZON

New Horizon provides social supports in the form of access to sporting and recreational activities; legal information; an online education program and English classes, to asylum seekers living in Direct Provision (DP) accommodation centres in Ireland’s midlands.

Children in DP and their parents, are living in very difficult circumstances and have been badly affected by the lockdown.

€5,000 is establishing a weekly Forest Exploration Experience to enable 25 children between 6 and 13 to engage with nature and discover the magic of the woods under the supervision of qualified Forest School Practitioners.

“The Forest Exploration Experience will bring a bit of magic into the lives of the children, introduce them to the beauty of nature and allow them to dream of a life beyond Direct Provision.”
~ Volunteer and resident of Athlone Direct Provision Centre

Current Challenges

• The impact of COVID-19 and lockdown on local communities is ongoing and there will be ramifications for a long time. Many communities were on the verge of crisis already, but the pandemic exacerbated this.

• Most organisations are now addressing mental health needs, even those outside the traditional mental health services.

• Organisations are unable to fundraise like they used to, their funding streams have dried up, and they will struggle to continue providing the services that so many rely on. This is where The Ireland Funds has stepped in.

• Communities and the organisations that support them are resilient. They have been faced with extraordinary challenges but, time and time again, we’ve witnessed organisations quietly kick into gear and adapt to support the most vulnerable.

As the country emerges and begins to recover from the pandemic, we continue to be here for Ireland, and thanks to our global network of donors, we will respond to the needs on the ground.

100% of every gift to the Heart of the Community Fund goes directly to community organizations serving the greatest needs across the island of Ireland.

Donate Now

Make a Gift to support much-needed services to communities across Ireland.

Make a Gift

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT

The Heart of the Community Fund brochure

ORGANISATIONS SUPPORTED