€1.5 million Rethink Ireland Fund Set to Transform Communities in Clare

A new three-year €1.5 million fund that will directly impact communities in County Clare has been launched. The Clare Communities Fund is a collaboration between Rethink Ireland, the Michael Guinee Charitable Foundation and the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht (DRCDG) via the Dormant Accounts Fund.

The fund is calling for applications from community projects and organisations whose work will make a direct impact in County Clare, addressing social inequalities and fostering accessibility and inclusion.

Applications for the three-year fund are now open at rethinkireland.ie/open-funds/ and will close on 28 November at 1 pm. Rethink Ireland is the national funding body supporting the most innovative non-profit organisations and social enterprises working to create a more just, equal and sustainable Ireland.

To date, Rethink Ireland has supported the funding of 16 projects directly working in County Clare, with a total investment of €1.47 million.

To be eligible to apply for the Clare Communities Fund, projects must meet one or more of the following criteria:

—  Promote social inclusion in County Clare through a strong sense of community and wellbeing.

—  Use arts, music, or culture as a tool for engagement and empowerment.

—  Increase participation in community and cultural activities for those with limited access.

—  Develop or improve creative, cognitive, social and emotional skills.

—  Address health and well-being disparities in line with Ireland’s Well-being Framework.

—  Demonstrate potential for long-term impact and sustainability.

Commenting on the new fund, Deirdre Mortell, CEO, Rethink Ireland, said: “At Rethink Ireland, place-based giving is a hugely important strategy for us. We encourage donors, like Michael Guinee, who are passionate about where they come from, to invest back into the future of their own local communities.

“Donors who give where they live are acutely aware of both the challenges and the potential within their communities. The goal for the Clare Communities Fund is to create more inclusive and resilient communities across the county.”

Also commenting on the new fund, Michael Guinee, said: “Our Foundation aims to deliver impactful and sustainable change, enhancing well-being, creating opportunities and ensuring that people, regardless of location or circumstance, have the resources and supports they need to thrive.

“The Clare Communities Fund closely aligns with our foundation’s values and goals. It was created to respond to the unique challenges faced by communities in County Clare. By backing community-led projects that promote innovation, inclusion, and wellbeing, the fund brings our mission to life. Our vision is for this fund to reduce social inequality and remove some of the barriers faced by groups, particularly people who are overlooked, underrepresented, or have additional needs.”