Specialised Funds

The Women’s Fund for Ireland

When women and girls prosper, entire communities succeed. The Women’s Fund fuels
change in our communities by supporting the most innovative and positive solutions to
the issues facing women in Ireland today. Our mission is to encourage philanthropy among
women, improve the lives of women through social change grantmaking, and educate the
entire community about the benefits to society when the potential of women is realised.
In April 2010 a major seminar on women’s philanthropy took place in Dublin. It was during
this landmark event that The Women’s Fund was launched by The Community Foundation
for Ireland.

How will The Women’s Fund help women?

The Women’s Fund at The Community Foundation for Ireland, established by women for women, is the first of its kind in Ireland and is solely dedicated to supporting women’s causes and charitable initiatives across the country. The Fund tackles the problems facing women and girls in Ireland today by raising funds, promoting women’s organisations and raising awareness of the challenges facing women. The fund will be dedicated to supporting a number of varying women’s issues by giving small grants to enable positive change at the grassroots and tackle women’s inequality at its source. Current priorities of the grants are aimed at preventing violence against women and also empowering women to take leadership roles in communities. By the end of 2010, 10 groups were supported by The Women's Fund. However, we were only able to support 4% by value of all the applications received. To read about the first grants made in late 2010 click here.

Be inspired!

The Women’s Fund is headed up by a Steering committee of wonderfully committed women. The Chair is Helen Collins and here she describes what inspired her to get involved:
“At one of the first meetings of the Steering Committee, we heard a story of a Woman’s group who were funded for literacy classes. At the end of the classes, there was talk of going to lunch to celebrate but one woman said she had her own celebration planned. She was going to go home and take down a suitcase from the attic in which she had stored all the cards ever given or sent to her during her life and read them, for the very first time. The hairs stood up on my arms when I heard that story and I knew I wanted to get involved in The Women’s Fund”.
If you would like to read more about The Women's Fund, please click here.

How can you get involved?

Firstly, consider the Women’s Fund if you are looking to engage in philanthropy or want to get involved in a charitable movement with long term goals. If you would like to discuss your donation, please contact Niall O'Sullivan our Head of Fund Development on 01- 874 3807 or by email on .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

You can also make a donation online

If you are holding a fundraising event, think about choosing The Women’s Fund as the recipient

Donations can also be made in the following ways:
At any bank using the following details:
Account No: 46336685
Bank: Bank of Ireland, Lr Baggot St.
Sort Code: 901490
or by sending a cheque payable to The Community Foundation for Ireland referencing 'The Women's Fund for Ireland’ NOTE: Donations of €250 or more can generate additional tax relief, for example €250 could be worth €423 to The Womens Fund for Ireland.

Finally, for people interested in establishing a Giving Circle, particularly if you wish to link in with The Women's Fund,
please check out our new Guide to Setting up a Giving Circle here