About The Community Foundation for Ireland

The Community Foundation for Ireland seeks to inspire donors and support charities and community groups. Established in 2000 we have made grants on behalf of donors of over €9million, mostly in Ireland.

Individuals, families and other organisations can establish their charitable fund at The Community Foundation. In so doing, we facilitate consistent, thoughtful, planned charitable giving. The experience of grant-making since 2000 has provided us with a unique insight into the causes and groups which are most deserving of funding on a local and national level and helps us to provide a great service to donors.


Developing ‘community capital’ through the establishment of permanent endowment funds is central to our ethos. The fund is invested and the return is used for grant-making to community and voluntary groups around the country. We have a significant permanent endowment fund under the direct control of our board that will allow us to continue to grant make not just now but forever. We also manage endowments for families and others. By 2011 the pooled value of all endowments was €27 million.

In summary, our aims are:

• To help people and businesses in Ireland manage their charitable giving
• To build stronger communities and enrich lives through awarding grants
• To influence the critical issues affecting our communities

Our Values

The Community Foundation aims to be:

• Knowledgeable - understanding local issues
• Inclusive - accessible and welcoming to all
• Creative - prepared to back new ventures
• Advocating - action on important local issues
• Integrity - accountable for what we do and transparent in how we do it, with strong governance for those with donor funds

The Community Foundation for Ireland is a not for profit organisation with charitable status and is an approved body for the purposes of section 848A, Taxes Consolidation Act, which relates to tax relief for donations to approved bodies. Our Charity number is CHY 13967. The organisation is Registered in Ireland, No.338427, Registered Office: One Spencer Dock, North Wall Quay, D1. The Community Foundation for Ireland is a company limited by guarantee.

The Community Foundation, connecting people who care with causes that matter…