Background/History

History of The Community Foundation for Ireland

The Community Foundation for Ireland was established in 2000 with the intention of growing a philanthropic ethos within Ireland. In 1998, a paper discussing the establishment of a community foundation was produced on behalf of Combat Poverty. This led the Government to issue a challenge to the private sector to establish a Community Foundation.
Founded by businesses, NGOs and employer organisations, the Government issued a challenge grant of £1 million if The Community Foundation for Ireland could raise initital funding of the equivalent.
The Community Foundation for Ireland is a not for profit organisation with charitable status and is an approved body for the purposes of section 848A, Taxes Consolidation Act, which relates to tax relief for donations to approved bodies.

Where it all began- about Community Foundations Worldwide

The first community foundation was established in 1914 in Cleveland, Ohio by Fredrick Harris Goff, a well-known banker at the Cleveland Trust Company. He sought to create a dynamic, corporately structured foundation that could utilise community gifts in a responsive manner appropriate to the needs of the day. Other cities and areas of the US and later Canada began establishing their own community foundations and in more recent times the concept has ‘gone global’. Today there are almost 1,500 community foundations in the growing, worldwide network.
The Foundations follow a broadly similar structure no matter where they are located. They are dedicated to strengthening local communities, and working with individuals, families and companies to make a real difference. Unique among charitable organisations, community foundations are experts on both sides of the philanthropic exchange, providing exceptional service to individual funds and developing deep knowledge of local communities and their needs.

In addition to facilitating their donors’ grantmaking, community foundations generally have their own grantmaking programmes that focus on particular issues, a specific geographic region, or both. Learn more about The Community Foundations for Ireland’s Grassroots Grants Scheme.
Community foundations are overseen by a volunteer board of local community leaders and run by professionals with expertise in the issues facing their community. There are currently more than 700 community foundations across the United States, and over 50 across the UK. The Community Foundation for Ireland is the only established foundation in the Republic of Ireland.
More information can be found on the Community Foundation Network website.