Apply for Grassroots Grants

The Community Foundation for Ireland works with community and voluntary groups in the Republic of Ireland. Through the Grassroots Grants Scheme it aims to support the disadvantaged in our communities by providing small grants for specific projects that will contribute to alleviating isolation and disadvantage. Since 2000, the scheme has supported hundreds of groups in this way.
The Grassroots Grants Scheme has allowed us to build links and forge relationships with those working at grassroots level in Irish society. The outcomes we learn from projects we fund give us a bank of knowledge and a unique perspective on the issues of greatest concern within the sector. To see the impact we have had in each county in Ireland with these grants please view our Grants Impact Map

For the purpose of this programme we allocate grants to groups working in specific areas. These are:

• Carers
• Ethnic Minorities
• Families at Risk
• Mental Health
• Older People
   

The Process

Applicant organisations should always begin by reading the CRITERIA. The Target Area, costs, and timing should be taken into account. There are four rounds of Grassroots Grants per year. Please consult the Application Page for the current closing date.

• Apply online here or download the Word application form. The Grants team will assess the application based on suitability and acknowledge your application by email, indicating when you can expect the outcome.
• The Grants Expert Panel, a sub-committee of The Foundation’s board, meet and using their knowledge and expertise they make the overall decisions regarding applications. In the final step, all grants are approved by the Board of The Foundation.
• The Grants Team will inform you of the outcome. If unsuccessful we will endeavour, where possible, to suggest other avenues for funding.
• If your application is successful, payment will be made using the details you provided in your application. You will be expected to acknowledge your application and accept any limitations set down by the Grants Expert Panel.
• An Outcome Report will be due six months after the date your grant is issued.

Closing dates for 2012:

30th March
29th June
28th September
28th December 

You will be informed of the outcome of your application within six to eight weeks.

Assessment of Grant Recipients

To ensure that funds are being allocated and used correctly we continuously and randomly assess various projects that have received funding through The Community Foundation. This allows us to give a high level of commitment to all our donors that their funds are being used in an appropriate manner and are also having the impacts that they want.

Outcome Reports
All grantees are required to provide an Outcome Report six months after their grant has been awarded. For the guidelines on writing an Outcome Report for Grassroots Grants, please click here