The Ireland Funds, the global philanthropic network, has awarded €20,000 to three not-for-profit projects serving Donegal through its Heart of the Community Fund.
Each year, the funding provides critical funding to a wide range of community organisations and charities on the island of Ireland.
The Ireland Funds recognises the challenges organisations face in securing funding to build their capacity or meet their core costs, so the Heart of the Community Fund 2023 has provided grants to meet these needs.
The grants awarded by the Heart of the Community Fund have been made possible by philanthropic gifts and fundraising events of The Ireland Funds America, the largest of The Ireland Funds’ global chapters.
Among the Donegal recipients of this year’s Heart of the Community Fund are Spraoi agus Spórt Family Centre, Lárionad Acmhainní Nádúrtha LAN CTR Cill Ulta and Liquid Therapy.
Spraoi agus Spórt provides fun, affordable and inclusive opportunities, experiences and activities that are aligned to the needs of the community. It is based in a rural area where the lack of services limits access to education, peer-support, and recreational opportunities, hindering development and well-being, exacerbating inequalities, hampering economic growth, and necessitating innovative solutions to secure a better future for all.
Lárionad Acmhainní Nádúrtha is a social enterprise researching and piloting cutting edge techniques to revolutionize agriculture and the wider food system. It has a Center for Sustainable Horticulture and facilitates courses for young people focused on sustainable horticulture and climate mitigation actions.
Liquid Therapy provides Surfing and Ocean experiences to individuals, families and community groups who are living with a range of diagnosis and mental health challenges that exclude them from mainstream opportunities. It removes all barriers to inclusion and all its programmes are free to access.
This year’s grant round will provide a total of €930,000 in funding to 94 organisations in 24 counties across the island of Ireland under The Ireland Funds’ four pillars of support for Arts & Culture, Community Development, Education and Peace & Reconciliation.
Caitriona Fottrell, President and CEO of The Ireland Funds, said: “The not-for-profit sector in Ireland is the engine on the ground delivering vital services every day, in every community.
“We understand the significant challenges organisations face, in particular, to meet their core costs to keep that engine going.
“We believe in each organisation we fund. We believe in what they do, and how they do it. We know that by investing in them, we are positively impacting the communities they work with. The Heart of the Community Fund is supported by our events and our committed donors, and we are grateful their generosity will enable great work across the island of Ireland.”
Helen Nolan, Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Spraoi agus Sport, said: “We extend our heartfelt gratitude to The Ireland Funds for its invaluable support.
“This funding will be transformative for Spraoi agus Sport, enabling us to expand our programmes, reach more children and young people, and provide vital support to parents of babies and toddlers with disabilities. The impact of the Heart in the Community Fund is immeasurable, empowering us to make a lasting and positive difference in the lives of families in our rural area.”
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