Partnership with Communities

Community Foundation Ireland joins Inishturk Celebrations

Our colleague Ailbhe McEntee joins community celebrations (5th June 2026) on Inishturk, Co Mayo where the Community Foundation enjoys strong partnerships.

Sustainable Future

Community Foundation Ireland, our philanthropists and supporters are proud partners of the people of Inishturk and their efforts to contribute to a fairer and more sustainable future for people, place and planet.

As a strong community the island consistently shows leadership and ambition to protect our natural world and our climate before it is too late. Protecting one of the most beautiful parts of our country so it can be enjoyed for generations to come is at the very heart of your actions.

The attendance of Minister Dara Calleary today is a fitting tribute to that ongoing work.

By being here, the Minister gets to see at first hand the importance of strengthening communities and also the complimentary benefits available through Irish philanthropy, as recognised in the National Policy on Philanthropy, itself a world first.

We are one of 1,800 community foundation’s worldwide, a model of philanthropy which places huge importance on connectivity and partnership. At Community Foundation Ireland we are proud to have 5,000 voluntary, community and charitable partners.

This network allows us to gather great insight and knowledge with an ability to identify trends, emerging challenges and also solutions to problems old and new.

We are a convenor with an ability to bring various interests together to bring about positive change.

Philanthropy favours projects and work which demonstrate ambition, courage and leadership, it lends itself to pioneering and ground-breaking work, it allows the piloting of new initiatives and can be used to develop proof of concept.

Each of these can be found in abundance on Inishturk – so it is no surprise that we have found natural partners here.

Climate and Nature

The crisis in climate and nature is the biggest challenge we face. It is the permanent backdrop against which all other aspects of life must play out.

At times it can seem like an impossible challenge. The harsh reality becoming clear with the impact of increasingly frequent severe weather events – storms, floods and drought where people on our Atlantic seaboard often bear the brunt of the impact.

However, there are also days like today – when we showcase the positive steps being taken to save our landscapes, plants and wildlife, to take positive action to halt climate change and hopefully begin the long process of reversing the damage down.

Today Inishturk is providing a showcase of local actions – which offer examples for others to follow.

Recognising the fragility of our natural world, Inishturk is one of 300 communities developing and then implementing local biodiversity action plans. Through a partnership between Community Foundation Ireland and the National Parks and Wildlife Service each is informed by working with expert ecologists.

The retrofitting of the Community Centre not only makes more efficient use of light, heat and battery storage but seeks to cut demand through tiple glazed windows and doors, insulation and the provision of emergency resilience kits for when the power goes out. Again, made possible by a coming together of Government and the Foundation.

Partnership also lies behind work to protect the island’s coasts from erosion and rising sea levels. Philanthropy through the Mayo Sustainability Fund – developed by the Community Foundation with the Sunflower Charitable Foundation and others – as well as Mayo County Council and the Clare Island Development Company all working together to achieve a shared goal.

Inishturk is also taking a lead with other communities across Ireland to end our throwaway society and is benefitting from the Circular Economy Innovation Grant Scheme to introduce tangible and meaningful local steps to end waste.

Each of these projects reflecting the strength of partnership necessary to make philanthropy impactful and to bring its own contribution in building a better future.

Contribution of Philanthropy

 

Today it is right to take a moment to pause and reflect on our work together, as a community, with local and national Government and the complimentary contribution which philanthropy through Community Foundation Ireland can bring.

Our network spreads to every corner of our country – but it is difficult to think of another community which is showing so much leadership and ambition in offsetting and combatting the biggest challenges of our time.

All of us at Community Foundation Ireland are proud of our work together, the impact of that work and of course for your kind invitation to be part of this special occasion.

We wish you every success into the future.

Ailbhe McEntee is Senior Grants and Donor Care Executive with Community Foundation Ireland

Watch

Join Our Mission

If you are interested in supporting our philanthropic partnerships on climate and nature – or any other part of our equality mission please do check out our Strategic Giving Guide.