Impact Grants

The Community Foundation for Ireland, through its grant-making, often sees recurring themes or issues which may benefit from longer term funding. Where opportunities for Impact Grants are identified, the Community Foundation engages in dialogue with relevant stakeholders to see how an Impact Grant may benefit a particular cause or issue. Applications are not invited for these grants. To find out more please contact Helen Beatty Grants and Donor Services Executive, on 01-8747354 or at hbeatty@foundation.ie

Impact Grants: A Case Study

National Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, Transgender (LGBT) Helplines Project

Through it’s grassroots grants scheme The Community Foundation had been acutely aware that there was no National LBGT Helpline in Ireland. Regional helplines were in operation in a disjointed fashion, often working with obsolete technology and with the support of dedicated volunteers. In some case such helplines were only able to operate for a few hours per week. Following ongoing dialogue and consultation with GLEN (the Gay and Lesbian Equality Network) The Community Foundation invited a proposal for the development of a National Helpline Project. Detailed budgets and outcomes were agreed and a co-ordinator was appointed. The first grant payment of a total €280,000 grant was issued in May 2008 and the final payment will be made in late 2010, subject to a number of outcomes having been achieved.

The coordinator of the project and the foundation’s grants team maintain a close working relationship in order to ensure the project culminates successfully and the overall outcome of a National LGBT Helpline system and website is achieved.