This new feature, shines a light on members of Philanthropy Ireland, their role, impact and how they are adapting to COVID-19. If you wish to spotlight your organisation please email [email protected]
Since 1976, The Ireland Funds has been harnessing the power of a global philanthropic network of friends of Ireland to promote and support peace, culture, education, and community development across the island of Ireland and among Irish communities around the world.
As the world faces the unprecedented challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic, The Ireland Funds is proud to have provided significant support through our COVID-19 Response Fund which deployed emergency funding to over forty organisations providing key services and supporting vulnerable communities across Ireland, North and South.
Thanks to the generosity of our donors, food was delivered, education continued, families were supported, services remained accessible, and the elderly were not forgotten.
The following organisations are examples of how The Ireland Funds COVID-19 Response Fund got to work on the ground:
- 174 Trust in Belfast quickly pivoted its cross-community services to serve as a food-hub to the local neighborhood. Support from The Ireland Funds ensured that 174 Trust could safely deliver meals each week to hundreds of vulnerable people in the community.
- Barnardos works with over 2,700 families affected by domestic abuse, mental health challenges, addiction, and homelessness. Support enabled them to deliver crisis services, safety planning for those faced with domestic abuse, food parcels, and other essential items.
- Food distribution faced unprecedented challenges right away. Support for FoodCloud helped continue the delivery of food to 700+ charity partners across Ireland reaching 250,000 people in need.
- COVID-19 has exacerbated the long-existing youth mental health crisis in Ireland. Support enabled Jigsaw to meet the rising costs of their digital resources which ensured that any young person, parent, or teacher in Ireland could turn to Jigsaw as a resource.
- Support for Making Connections helped ensure that those most at risk/ living alone were supported during the COVID-19 crisis. It mobilized 100 volunteers to provide shopping, offer emotional support and monitor phone lines for older people in need.
In 2020, thanks to the support of our donors, The Ireland Funds granted $15 million+ to over 180 organisations and awarded more than 150 scholarships.
On March 18, 2021 The Ireland Funds launched its Heart of the Community Fund which is the next chapter of our commitment to communities in need. The Heart of the Community Fund will provide critical and timely funding to a wide range of not-for-profit organisations across the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland to ensure they continue to thrive. This is an immediate investment in the life of Ireland’s communities.
Between March 18 and April 8, not-for-profit and community organisations across the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland were invited to submit an application for a grant of either €2,500 or 5,000 that will not only assist with day-to-day operations, but that will also help groups plan for a post-pandemic environment.
We want to continue to support organisations as they advance their work in communities to ensure they continue to thrive. We invite you to take a moment to enjoy this short video and join us on the journey at irelandfunds.org.
