The Community Fit scheme launched by Community Finance Ireland in late 2024 is an opportunity for CFI to give back to grassroots sports clubs who are an integral part of the social finance infrastructure. Each quarter the scheme awards £1,000 to a club in Northern Ireland and €1,000 to a club in the Republic of Ireland towards the acquisition of sponsored team kit items by means of a giveaway.

Ballymoney Hockey Club was set up by two Dalriada students Eilish Gillan and Jayne Thompson in 1984 as an outlet for girls and women who wanted to play hockey. In the intervening years the club has grown from strength to strength and the club now fields four teams and boast over 200 minis and juniors members.

The club has achieved major successes over the years including winning the Irish Senior Cup in 2001 and more recently the European Club of the Year in 2021. The club’s players Lynsey McVicker, Bridget Cleland, Katie Mullan, Megan Frazer have all gone on to captain the Ireland team and 13-year-old Sammy Jo Greer became the youngest goalkeeper in Ulster and Irish Hockey’s history.

Emma Creelman, Treasurer of Ballymoney Ladies’ Hockey Club, says the equipment provided by CFI was a huge help for the club. She said:

“The new kit bags and all-weather jackets will make a massive difference to the girls and women on the team. Playing hockey outdoors in the winter months can be tough going and having the new jackets in particular will help us keep warm during training sessions. It means that the money that we would have spent on these items can be redirected to other areas of the club. A huge thank you to Cllr Kane and Community Finance Ireland.”

Donal Traynor, Group Chief Executive for Community Finance Ireland who visited the Club earlier this month to present them with their new kit items, said:

“At Community Finance Ireland, we are delighted to support Ballymoney Hockey Club with sponsored equipment that empowers them to grow their success on the field. The club’s commitment to providing a sporting facility for the local community of Ballymoney aligns perfectly with our mission to invest in sporting initiatives that drive positive social change.”

If you are involved in your local sports team and want to be considered for future Community Fit awards, sign up to Community Finance Ireland’s mailing list here to be eligible.

The post Ballymoney Ladies’ Hockey Club the First to Benefit from Community Fit Scheme appeared first on Community Finance Ireland.

Pádraic joins the organisation with a distinguished career in philanthropy, social enterprise, and public policy.

Currently Senior Philanthropy & Development Manager and Head of Munster at Rethink Ireland, Pádraic has been instrumental in advancing social impact initiatives across Ireland.

His tenure as CEO of the Cork Foundation saw him champion social enterprise projects throughout Cork city and county.

With a decade of experience as a special advisor in Leinster House, Pádraic’s expertise spans strategy, fundraising, campaign management, and high-level negotiations.

Welcoming Pádraic to the Board, Donal Traynor, CEO of Community Finance Ireland, said:

“We are delighted to have Pádraic Vallely join our Board of Trustees. His extensive experience in philanthropy, public policy, and leadership will be invaluable as we continue to empower communities and social enterprises across the island of Ireland. Pádraic’s dedication to social impact aligns perfectly with our mission, and we look forward to his contribution to our work.”

Pádraic’s appointment underscores Community Finance Ireland’s commitment to strengthening its leadership team to better serve communities and social enterprises nationwide.

Connect with Pádraic on LinkedIn.

The post Pádraic Vallely Joins Community Finance Ireland’s Board of Directors appeared first on Community Finance Ireland.

While we all love the thrill of the competition on the international stage, clubs locally will be putting into place plans for the year to ensure that their playing facilities meet the needs of the club’s ambitions. Community Finance Ireland is here to help you to secure the funds you need to get started.

Our bespoke bridging and term loans ensure that your club can access funds swiftly and efficiently, turning visions into reality. With a deep understanding of both finance and grassroots challenges, we’re not just lenders; we’re partners in progress.

What Type of Projects Do We Support?

In our 20+ years of doing business, we have supported a wide variety of sports projects including helping rugby clubs, but also soccer, GAA, tennis, rowing, athletics, gymnastics, hockey, ice hockey, watersports, golf, basketball and other sporting clubs in accessing finance to realise projects like:

We Speak Finance, But We Hear People

We have loaned over €120m (£97m) to clients across the island of Ireland including rugby clubs like Shannon RFC in Co. Limerick . The club worked with our team to finance the construction of a ladies’ dressing rooms at club grounds.

With supporting loans ranging from upwards of £/€25k, you can be confident that if you have an idea or a dream, we know how to support your request and help get finance into your project.

If you are ready to make an application, click here. Or for more information, give us a call today: NI: 028 9031 5003  ROI: 041 6858 637.

The post As Six Nations 2025 Season Kicks Off, CFI Are Ready to Help Your Rugby Club Achieve Its Goals appeared first on Community Finance Ireland.

Mairead brings over 30 years of executive experience across sectors, including media, publishing, consumer goods, and technology.

Her deep understanding of growth strategy, market alignment, and revenue-focused marketing will strengthen Community Finance Ireland’s mission to foster sustainable development within local communities.

CEO Donal Traynor commented,

“Mairead’s expertise in brand development and go-to-market strategy makes her a remarkable addition to our team. Her strategic vision  and dedication to social enterprise growth align perfectly with our goals, and we look forward to the valuable insights she will bring.”

In her role, Mairead will focus on guiding Community Finance Ireland through pivotal growth opportunities and supporting its commitment to creating lasting social impact. Her appointment reflects Community Finance Ireland’s dedication to expanding its influence by leveraging top industry talent.

Connect with Mairead on LinkedIn.

The post Mairead Maher Joins Community Finance Ireland’s Board of Directors appeared first on Community Finance Ireland.

What is NetWorks25?

The overall aim of NetWorks25 is to build progressive partnerships that will deliver meaningful benefit for communities on both sides of the border and raise awareness of issues and challenges impacting communities while also contributing to wider peace-building.

The project will span a twelve month period and participant organisations will allocate two representatives who will attend:-

• 3x full day long workshops (weekdays) and
• 3x residential events (all day Friday to Saturday lunchtime) throughout the year
• Dates to be confirmed in due course.

Benefits for Participating Organisations

• The opportunity to network, connect with and learn from other organisations from other communities.
• The creation of positive and long-lasting relationships between cross-border communities who share similar challenges and open the door for collaborative working.
• Improve and understand best business practices across a wide range of areas such as financial planning and management, strategic business planning, marketing and communications, digital transformation and technology, governance and compliance and product and service development. 
• Learn how to access different funding streams for your organisation.
• Aid the development of social enterprises or community projects, working to combat deprivation and legacy issues arising from the Troubles and other socio-economic barriers unique to living in border areas.
• A chance to explore business ideas to create new sources of income generation, leading to more effective and more sustainable business practices.

Hear from some of the previous participants in this short video:

Criteria Requirements for Participating Organisations

• A charity, social enterprise, community or voluntary organisation based in Northern Ireland or the surrounding border counties in the Republic of Ireland.
• Be available to attend all workshops and residential events
• Experience of supporting creative and innovative approaches to dealing with contentious issues.
• History of implementing projects that tackle the barriers arising as a result of the border.
• Previous involvement with supporting regions or communities needing particular attention as a result of historical isolation, under-investment, the impact of the conflict and/or Brexit.
• Experience of contributing to peace-building and promoting good relations on a cross-border basis.

How to Apply

If you are interested in applying to the NetWorks25 Programme, please complete the online application form here. Applications take roughly 15-20 minutes to complete.

The deadline for applications is Friday 14 February 2025 at 5pm.

For any queries or to request further information, please email hello@communityfinanceireland.com with the subject NetWorks25.

The post Community Finance Ireland Seeking Participants for the NetWorks25 Programme appeared first on Community Finance Ireland.

Katie joins the Board with over 22 years of experience in banking, finance, and professional services. Her impressive career spans work with entrepreneurial businesses, mid-sized corporates, and publicly listed multinationals.

A skilled leader in loan origination, project finance, governance, and portfolio management, Katie’s expertise covers a wide range of sectors, including small business, agriculture, renewable energy, and corporate enterprises.

In addition to her professional achievements, Katie previously served as a Director at KPMG, where she led complex projects and advisory work at the executive level.

Her academic and professional credentials include an Economics and Business degree from Trinity College, Fellowships at the Institute of Taxation and the Institute of Bankers, and a Diploma in Corporate Governance.

Welcoming Katie to the Board, Donal Traynor, CEO of Community Finance Ireland, said:

“We are delighted to welcome Katie to the Board of Trustees. With her extensive experience in banking, finance, and governance, Katie brings a wealth of knowledge and a deep commitment to empowering communities. Her leadership and strategic insight will undoubtedly strengthen our efforts to support local projects and social enterprises across the island of Ireland. We look forward to working together to make an even greater impact.”

Katie’s appointment underscores Community Finance Ireland’s ongoing commitment to enhancing its expertise and governance to better serve communities across the island. Her knowledge and vision will play a vital role in furthering the organisation’s mission of delivering social impact through financial innovation and support.

Connect with Katie on LinkedIn.

The post Katie Mooney Joins Community Finance Ireland’s Board of Directors appeared first on Community Finance Ireland.

A global expert in leadership and HR, Dr. Roux has over 20 years of experience driving organizational transformation and adaptive strategies.

Her work with UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School and Roux Consulting highlights her unparalleled expertise.

We are excited to benefit from her visionary approach as we continue empowering communities across the island.

CEO Donal Traynor had this to say on her appointment:

“We are delighted to welcome Dr. Marianne Roux to the Board of Community Finance Ireland. Her extensive expertise in leadership, HR, and organizational transformation, coupled with her passion for empowering communities, makes her an exceptional addition to our team”.

Dr. Roux’s innovative approach to navigating the future of work and her commitment to sustainable outcomes align perfectly with CFI’s mission to support social enterprises and community projects.

Everyone at CFI look forward to her valuable contributions as we continue to create lasting positive impact across Ireland and beyond.

The post Dr. Marianne Roux Joins Community Finance Ireland’s Board of Directors appeared first on Community Finance Ireland.

Funded by a loan from Community Finance Ireland (CFI), this redevelopment marks a significant milestone for the arts charity. The updated 7,500 square-foot facility now accommodates a diverse range of printmaking techniques, including etching, screen printing, and lithography, while offering expanded services such as free monthly workshops and open days aimed at fostering inclusion.

Emma Drury, Director of Seacourt Print Workshop said,

“We’re proud to play a part in Bangor’s cultural regeneration and our central location makes us more visible and accessible, enabling us to double our programming and support the community in new ways.”

Phelim Sharvin, Head of Community Finance Ireland NI, commended Seacourt for its transformative vision:

“This project aligns perfectly with our mission of driving positive social change. By supporting Seacourt, we’re helping to create a vibrant, inclusive space that enriches the community.”

The project’s success highlights the collaborative potential of social finance, arts, and community resilience.

If you want to take part in any of the upcoming events at Seacourt you will find everything you need here.

The post Printmaking Hub Opens New Chapter for Arts and Community in North Down appeared first on Community Finance Ireland.

The charity’s new permanent home, made possible by a significant community loan from Community Finance Ireland (CFI), will enable DFTD to train and place more assistance dogs, aiming to reduce their three-year waiting list. This move marks a significant step forward for the charity, which supports disabled adults and children across Ireland with assistance dogs trained to help with practical tasks.

Jennifer Dowler, CEO of DFTD, shares,

“CFI’s support and efficient loan process meant we could secure this site quickly and look toward a promising future. Our new premises will help us serve even more people in need of assistance dogs.”

Nora Keogh, CFI Client Relationship Manager for the Munster Region, said:

“Dogs for the Disabled Cork change lives across Ireland and with the security and potential of their new home, just think how many more people they can help. It’s a powerful example of social impact in action, showing how targeted efforts can make a meaningful difference. We’re delighted to support them and can’t wait to see them roll out their ambitious plans for on-site services in the future.”

We encourage any community or volunteer-led groups who, like DFTD, want to make improvements or expand their services, to reach out to us. We take a flexible approach to bridge funding gaps and support new projects, offering short and long-term loans that are fast, flexible and fair.

For more information on Dogs for the Disabled, visit their website here, or to find out more about Community Finance Ireland and how we can help your next project, click here.

The post Permanent Home Secured for Dogs for the Disabled Cork to Cut Three Year Waitlist for Service Dogs appeared first on Community Finance Ireland.

Spearheaded by Wicklow Public Participation Co-ordinator Helen Howes and her colleague Grainne Quinn, our own Barry Symes, Head of ROI Community Finance Ireland, was in attendance to hear from volunteers and the community conversations.

Having collaborated with clients such as Tinahely Community Centre and Arklow Maritime Museum and more recently supporting Enniskerry Tennis Club Barry has first-hand experience of supporting community empowerment through the use of social finance solutions.

Wicklow looks forward to building on these conversations for a more connected and engaged future. For more details on how social finance helps empower voices click here.

The post Wicklow Connecting Communities Roadshows 2024: Strengthening Community Voices Across the County appeared first on Community Finance Ireland.