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GET IN TOUCH TODAY:
ROI 041 6858637 NI 028 9031 5003 hello@communityfinanceireland.com

So you've got an idea. No, a dream.

A dream that could make a difference in your community - to change something by solving a problem or creating an opportunity. First, you need to talk to somebody about a loan to make it happen.

We might well be that somebody. And we're listening.

Is a loan the right answer? Top 10 questions answered here

We lend to:

  • Community projects, including charities, social enterprises and faith-based initiatives.
  • All sports clubs, including GAA clubs, soccer, rugby, tennis, athletics, water sports and golf.

 

We are different because:

  • We don’t seek personal guarantees.
  • We don’t charge arrangement fees on term loans.
  • All our clients are ‘matched’ with a local Client Relationship Manager who will meet you in person and provide you with guidance and advice throughout the application process and the entire duration of your loan.
  • All our profits are reinvested for the benefit of the sector.

 

If success for your organisation is social change or social impact, you’re in the right place.

 

What we don’t do:

  • Offer grants.
  • Lend to private businesses or individuals.
  • Lend to projects outside the Third Sector.

  1. The purchase, construction or renovation of a building.
  2. Purchasing equipment.
  3. Restructuring existing debt.
  4. Cash shortfalls.
  5. Working capital.
  6. Bridging loans for Sports Capital, LEADER/RDP Grants, GAA Grant, local governmental grants.

  • We provide long-term loans and short-term loans, as well as bridging finance.
  • Loans may also be provided on both a secured and unsecured basis.

  • Our loans range from €/£10k–600k.
  • Your loan will be tailored to your needs – and we’re here to help you every step of the way.
  • If you have a figure in mind, contact the Client Relationship Manager in your region and they will be best placed to advise on interest rate and monthly repayment amount.

  • Working with clients, we normally agree a set monthly repayment amount over an agreed term.
  • All our loans are flexible, and you can make lump sum repayments any time with no penalties.
  • We also accept fundraising efforts as lump sums to help clear your loan sooner if the need arises.

  • Generally, 15 years is the maximum period we lend for.
  • While most loans are for a ten year term.
  • We’ll work with you to establish what the best solution for your cash flow and your ambitions.

  1. A clear ‘why’ – what’s the compelling reason behind your project?
  2. An organisation with a clearly defined legal structure.
  3. A competent management team.
  4. A robust financial model.
  5. All relevant paperwork is submitted as per our Checklist.

All our clients demonstrated these in their initial applications – and are thriving as a result.

  • We keep it simple- talk to the Client Relationship Manager working in your local area.

  1. Complete our loan application form.
  2. It covers all the key information we need to assess your request.
  3. Utilise our easy checklists designed to help you save time on what is required.

Once we’ve received your application, a local Client Relationship Manager will be in touch within 48 hours.

  1. State this clearly in your initial application or general enquiry form.
  2. We’ll get in touch within 48 hours.
  3. You have most likely already compiled paperwork that was relevant for your grant. We want to make the loan application as painless as possible and so most of the paperwork we ask for will already most likely mirror the requirements of your grant application. Our paperwork checklist is here for ease of reference.

Didn’t find the answer you were looking for?

No problem.

Ask us for a Call Back.

We’re here to help.

Latest News

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Over the past number of weeks our team have been out and about at the Irish Social Enterprise Network’s Regional Social Enterprise events.These events are supported by the Department of Rural and Community Development and organised by the Social Enterprise Consortium, which includes ISEN (Irish Social Enterprise Network), Social Enterprise Republic of Ireland, The Wheel, and the Local Development Companies Network.Our team find the events hugely beneficial in being able to touch base with social enterprises on a local level and to share with them information on how we can help with the next phase of their development.The next event will take place in Dublin’s F2 Centre this Thursday 27 March. Our Client Relationship Manager Colm Prendergast will be in attendance and presenting on the day. If you need more information on how to get tickets, visit here> www.socent.ie/blog/2025/02/28/join-us-for-the-regional-social-enterprise-events-2025-empowering-i... #socialenterprise #ireland #socialvalue #socialimpact #communitysupport #financetips #loans #advice #socialenterpriseadvice @followers ... See MoreSee Less
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The answer to Friday’s Brainteaser was Foxford, Co. Mayo. Well done to all the people who guessed correctly! If you’re based in Co. Mayo and your community group needs financial assistance to get their next project off the ground, get in touch today!We speak finance, but we hear people and we’re ready to hear from you: communityfinanceireland.com/contact/ #Mayo #Foxford #Ireland #SupportingCommunities #SocialFinance ... See MoreSee Less
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Today’s brainteaser takes us to Co. Mayo. Can you name the town from the visual clues in the reel? Leave your answer and we’ll let you know if you got the correct answer on Monday!#Brainteaser #TownBrainteaser #Mayo #FridayFun #Quiz #Ireland ... See MoreSee Less
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The answer to Friday’s Brainteaser was Coleraine in Co. Derry. Well done to all the people who guessed correctly! If you’re based in Co. Derry and your community group needs financial assistance to get their next project off the ground, get in touch today!We speak finance, but we hear people and we’re ready to hear from you: communityfinanceireland.com/contact/ #Derry #Londonderry #Ireland #SupportingCommunities #SocialFinance ... See MoreSee Less
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Community Finance Ireland are the proud sponsors of Social Enterprise Northern Ireland's Dragons' Den competition at their Annual Social Value Conference which awards £1,500 to start up or existing social enterprises with new innovative ideas that are having a huge positive impact in their local communities.This year our Head of Community Finance for Northern Ireland, Phelim Sharvin served on the judging panel alongside Go Succeed NI and special guest speaker Heidi Fisher founder of Make an Impact CIC. At yesterday's event in Girdwood Community Hub, the 2025 winner was announced as PIPS Hope and Support who will use the funds to implement Northern Ireland's first "well-bean" cafe as a way of supporting suicide prevention and mental health well-being in Newry. A special mention to the other fantastic projects who applied especially the compelling stories we heard from the other short listed organisations: Weechicks.com, Healing Hearts through the Arts and Wild Women of the Woods NI.Watch how the Dragons' Den event unfolded in our short video.#SocialImpact #socialvalue #northernireland #newry #mentalhealth #wellbeing #socialenterprise @followers ... See MoreSee Less
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