COVID-19 support package for Community and Voluntary Organisations, Charities and Social Enterprises

The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Michael Ring TD, and Mr Seán Canney TD, the Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development, have launched a €40 million COVID-19 support package for Community and Voluntary Organisations, Charities and Social Enterprises using Dormant Account Funds.

The support package is broken down as set out below:

·         A €35 million ‘COVID-19 Stability Fund’, administered by Pobal, will provide a level of support to community and voluntary, charity and social enterprises who are most in need and have a projected loss in their 2020 fundraising income and / or traded income of 25% or more as a result of COVID-19. The grant awarded will be dependent on the need identified and will range from €2,000 to €100,000. Details on how to apply for the COVID-19 Stability Fund are available here. The Fund is now open for applications and will close on Wednesday 20 May;

·         A €5 million government commitment to a Philanthropy Fund ‘Innovate Together’, which will focus on projects that possess innovative and adaptive solutions to existing and emerging challenges. The Innovate Together Fund will be administered by Social Innovation Fund Ireland (SIFI) with grants ranging from €20,000 to €200,000 available. Further information on the application criteria is available here 

It is  the responsibility of the organisations to ensure their eligibility and complete the application process. If the organisations have any questions or queries, they should be directed to contact Pobal and SIFI.