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.

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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.

With a strong focus on inclusivity, Enniskerry Tennis Club has introduced initiatives such as Affordable kids’ camps and Women in Sports programs. These efforts have made the club a welcoming space for people of all ages and backgrounds. Thanks to the support from CFI, volunteers can continue to invest in improving the facilities for todays and tomorrow’s members.  

Conor Dowd, Club Secretary, expressed his gratitude for the backing, saying:

“The support from Community Finance Ireland couldn’t have come at a better time. This funding will not only enhance our facilities but also help us continue making tennis accessible to everyone in the community.”

Barry Symes, Head of CFI ROI and a tennis fan himself, was thrilled to take to the court during his visit, picking up some tips from the volunteers on improving his own game.

Commenting on the day, Barry said:

“Community facilities like what the group is doing at Bog Meadow are proof that with community buy-in, progress can and is made. We were delighted to be in a position to support them in their journey to game, set, and match for everyone.”

With CFI’s backing, the club looks forward to continuing its objective of making tennis affordable, accessible, and enjoyable for all, in the Wicklow region.

If your local sports club has ambitions get in touch and see how we might help here.

The post Community Finance Ireland Backs Enniskerry Tennis Club with Key Financial Support appeared first on Community Finance Ireland.

“Hair Together deliver hairdressing and barbering courses with a social twist. While learning practical skills and exploring career paths, participants also learn valuable tools to enhance their overall well-being. We offer a safe space for personal growth with our main focus on young people from Ballymun and women who have experienced prison”

John Evoy, Board Member at Community Finance Ireland, and Colm Prendergast, Client Relationship Executive Community Finance Ireland recently met with CEO Eileen McHugh where the news of our financial assistance was met with genuine delight.

This assistance will enable Hair Together to expand its services, reach more individuals in need, and continue its important work in the community.

John Evoy, expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating:

“We are proud to support Hair Together and witness the tangible impact it is making on people’s lives. Social enterprises like this are essential in creating resilient communities.”

Colm Prendergast added, Hair Together embodies the spirit of social enterprise. It’s inspiring to see how Eileen is using hairdressing as a tool for positive change.”

More information about Hair Together or to get involved in their program here.

The post Community Finance Ireland Supports Early-Stage Social Enterprise Hair Together appeared first on Community Finance Ireland.

Lust for Life, led by CEO Bernie Keogh, is dedicated to enhancing the mental health of children and young people through creative and impactful programmes. As the need for mental health services continues to rise, ‘Lust for Life’ is stepping up with targeted interventions that provide much-needed support to the younger generation.

Earlier this summer, Donal Traynor, CEO of Community Finance Ireland, announced support for Bernie and the team. This funding will help the social enterprise’s efforts in delivering critical mental health services.

Donal Traynor expressed his enthusiasm for this social enterprise stating:

“Community Finance Ireland is delighted that Lust for Life has benefited from our assistance. The team’s services have never been more needed, and we are delighted to support them at this juncture in their chapter.”

The support from CFI comes at a crucial time for Lust for Life enabling them to expand their reach and impact more lives across Dublin and beyond.

The post Community Finance Ireland Supports Dublin-Based Social Enterprise Lust for Life appeared first on Community Finance Ireland.

With the country still celebrating the success of our athletes at the recent European Championships in Rome, ex-Irish Athletics team manager Patsy McGonagle said clubs across the country are benefitting from social finance loans from the charity lender to improve facilities.

McGonagle, who during his 25-year stint at the helm of the Irish Athletics team coached the likes of Sonia O’Sullivan and Rob Heffernan said:

“It’s all about the grassroots feeding into the elite games, and you won’t have Irish athletes succeeding at European Championship or at Olympic level if they don’t have proper training facilities in their local communities.”

Since 2001, CFI has committed more than €100 million to hundreds of community organisations on both sides of the border. Lending to sports clubs, community projects, faith-based groups, and social enterprises, CFI funds initiatives that make a difference in local communities.

And CFI’s recently published Social Value Report 2023 shows that 49 sports clubs were loaned a total of €6 million between January and December 2023.

In Stranorlar, Donegal, CFI funds were used by McGonagle’s club Finn Valley to build new changing facilities for members and officials.

“We’re providing a modern facility in an area where there’s very little opportunity,” McGonagle said. “The mental impact that’s had on the community, the physical and social impact – it’s all positive. When there was a shortfall and we needed money, Community Finance Ireland made it a win-win for us big time. They were very responsive and easy to work with. It was a great experience. The facility would not exist were we not to get that finance.”

Calculating the wider social value of CFI loans

In its Social Value Report 2023, published June 2024, CFI says that for every euro it loaned, the social return was €3.69, a figure which, the charity says, reflects the positive impact its loans have on the wider community.

Between January and December 2023, CFI loaned a total €13 million to 109 organisations across the island of Ireland.

The analysis was calculated by economic development specialists Rose Regeneration using its Social Value Engine (SVE). Rose Regeneration’s SVE is used by public bodies in England and Wales and follows several key steps when calculating a loan’s social value, such as examining agreed project outcomes to give them a financial value.

CFI chief executive Dónal Traynor said calculating the social return of their investments helped the charity understand the wider impact its loans were having. He said:

“There is a huge excitement for Irish athletes going into the Paris Olympics, especially after their recent successes in Rome. But their coaches will tell you, the hard work starts at home, in their local communities. Athletes require decent local facilities if they are to stand a chance of succeeding at major events. For more than two decades, CFI has been helping grass-roots clubs to foster the potential of budding youngsters. Finn Valley is a great example of this, but they’re not alone. We also provided a bridging loan to St. Laurence O’Toole Athletic Club in Carlow, to begin works on an Olympic-standard running track. More than 400 athletes of all ages and abilities in Askea are now training in world-class facilities. They’ve produced 40 track-and-field internationals in the last decade. Imagine how many more young athletes have the opportunity to follow in their footsteps now. We know that international success inspires young athletes – that’s social impact. Like those athletes, as a social enterprise, we strive to create a lasting social impact in every community on the island. It’s the driving force behind everything that we do.”

Click here to read the Social Value Report for 2023 in full.

The post Community Finance Ireland Keeping Irish Athletes on Track to Glory appeared first on Community Finance Ireland.

This giveaway offers individuals (who are registered within our database) the opportunity to avail of clothing for a juvenile sports squad of their choosing.

1. Eligibility Criteria:

• Open to all GDPR compliant email addresses within the CFI database.
• Staff and Trustees of CFI will be eligible to have their names included in the draw.
• The chosen individuals connected to the email must be in a position to nominate an amateur Sports Club (if not, they will be redrawn).
• The chosen club must have a juvenile squad they can identify as being the recipients of the support (if not, they will be redrawn).

2. How to Apply:

• All individuals who provide their contact details to the CFI database in a GDPR compliant manner, will automatically be included in the draw each quarter.
• New individuals interested in the draw arising from publicity emanating, may sign up for inclusion via the ‘Join Our Mailing List’ form available on our website (and below), or by emailing a team member directly at CFI asking to have their details retained on file for ongoing communications and the opportunity to avail of the giveaway.
• Each club nominated can only win once in the calendar year.

3. How the Nomination Works:

• Emails on file will be randomly selected to ensure fairness and transparency, and will be adjudicated upon by the CFI Compliance Officer and a 2^nd member of the CFI executive team on each occasion.
• Two names will be selected each quarter to nominate a different club each. We will strive for a balance of boys and girls teams to benefit across the draws.

4. Announcement(s):

• Individuals will be contacted on the second working day of the first month of each quarter (January, April, July, October).
• Individuals will be notified by the closest connection point in CFI (e.g. local Client Relationship Manager or personal contact) via the email address supplied. The individual must revert in writing to CFI within 72 hrs confirming acceptance. If no response has been received confirming acceptance of the support, a substitute draw will take place at the start of the next working day.
• The individual will have 5 working days from being contacted to confirm to CFI, the name of the chosen club, the juvenile squad within, including the number of players involved.
• Clubs will only be publicly announced at point of presentation photocall (see below).

5. Distribution of Giveaway:

• Each club will receive (from the CFI contact point) the pricing and sizing list from CFI’s preferred supplier, to choose required clothing for the squad, within a maximum gross value of £/€1,000 per club.
• The club will be put in direct contact with the supplier, by the CFI contact point.
• Club to revert to Supplier (cc CFI contact point) via email with final order for clothing, including club logo (s) within 2 weeks of confirming acceptance of support.
• Supplier will share draft design with CFI contact point and club representative. The final clothing supplied will have CFI branding in a prominent position, agreed with the Club.
• CFI will pay the supplier directly on behalf of the club and receive the clothing direct to CFI offices in either Belfast or Ardee.

6. Reporting:

• Clubs must agree to participate in a presentation photocall at the club grounds with representatives from CFI who will bring the clothing with them. (This photocall to be arranged and paid for, by Community Finance Ireland).
• Photocall to take place within the same quarter, and subsequent to receipt of clothing from supplier by CFI. Photographer to be co-ordinated by marketing department and align with availability of club representative and CFI contact.
• To mitigate potential issues with consent down the line, clubs will be notified in writing at point of email selection, that presentation photos will be shared publicly in press / social media.

Please refer to our Privacy Policy for full details of how we process your data.

The post Charitable Giving Quarterly Community Fit Giveaway- T&Cs appeared first on Community Finance Ireland.

Attention All Local Communities!

Almost €9 million in funding is now available under the 2024 CLÁR (Ceantair Laga Árd-Riachtanais) programme. This funding is specifically aimed at supporting community and sports facilities nationwide, particularly in areas that have faced significant population decline.

Here is the breakdown of what’s available:

• Measure 1: Grants ranging from €5,000 to €50,000 for community and sports facilities, youth clubs, playgrounds, sensory gardens, walking tracks, and more.
• Measure 2: Support for voluntary groups providing free transport for cancer care, Community First Response Support, Search and Rescue organizations, and this year, meals on wheels services. Maximum grants of €50,000 for a car and €100,000 for a bus.
• Measure 3: Aimed at supporting offshore island communities, with maximum grants of €120,000 for community transport projects and up to €50,000 for amenities projects.

At Community Finance Ireland, we understand that if your grant is approved you may need additional support in the form of accessing your grant via bridging finance. And this stage is often needed swiftly.

That’s why our local relationship managers are here to support you at that key stage in the overall process. Whether you are in one of Ireland’s most remote areas or not we’re dedicated to helping you drawdown that much needed grant award.

If you are interested in accessing CLÁR 2024 funding and need assistance on the drawdown of an approved grant, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Our team is committed to working with you make the most of a successful application.

Get in touch with Community Finance Ireland’s seasoned navigators who are here to help you access Bridging Finance.

More info from the department visit their website.

The post Community Finance Ireland Supports Local Communities Accessing CLÁR 2024 Funding appeared first on Community Finance Ireland.

This significant accomplishment reflects our unwavering commitment to excellence in serving our clients and advancing positive social impact.

The ISO 9001 standard is built upon a set of quality management principles, including a strong customer focus, active involvement of top management, a process-oriented approach, and continuous improvement. By adhering to these principles, we have established a solid foundation for organizational excellence.

Benefits to CFI and Our Clients
This achievement brings several advantages to both Community Finance Ireland and our valued clients:

Increased Efficiencies: With all our processes aligned and comprehended by every member of our organization, we can enhance the efficiency of our internal controls, streamlining our operations and ensuring optimal performance.

Enhanced Reputation: The ISO 9001 accreditation further strengthens our reputation as a credible and genuine charity and social enterprise. It underscores our dedication to advocating for positive social impact and demonstrates our commitment to delivering high-quality services.

Clear Objectives and Commitment: By assessing the overall context of our organization and understanding the expectations of those affected by our work, we can clearly define our objectives. This enables us to showcase our unwavering commitment to excellence and the pursuit of our mission.

Customer Focus: We reaffirm our dedication to putting our customers first, consistently meeting their needs, and enhancing their satisfaction. This recognition ensures that our clients’ experience with Community Finance Ireland remains at the heart of everything we do.

Compliance and Governance: Attaining the ISO 9001 accreditation guarantees that we meet the necessary statutory and regulatory requirements, strengthening our compliance and governance practices.

We extend our gratitude to our dedicated team, whose hard work and commitment have made this achievement possible. We are excited about the opportunities this accreditation brings and the continued positive impact we can make together.

The post Community Finance Ireland Achieves ISO 9001 Quality Management System Accreditation appeared first on Community Finance Ireland.

Originally constructed in 1810 as a church, the building later served as a school for the local rural community before being repurposed as a community hall in 1950. Over the years, it has become a central gathering place for residents, hosting various events, including school activities, coffee mornings, card nights, and exercise classes. The hall’s renovation project, initiated in 2020, addressed the building’s deteriorating condition, upgrading essential elements such as windows, toilets, and the kitchen to ensure accessibility and compliance with modern standards.

Thomas O’Connell, the Secretary of the Crosspatrick Community Group, highlighted the hall’s significance, stating,

“People would never get together if it wasn’t for the hall. For as long as I can remember, it has been at the heart of this local community.” The renovations have already had a positive impact, fostering a sense of community and providing a space where laughter and connection can thrive. In addition to its current offerings, the Crosspatrick Community Group aims to establish a business hub within the hall later this year.”

Barry Symes, Head of Community Finance Ireland ROI, visited the renovated hall to commend Thomas and the Crosspatrick Community Group on their successful project. He emphasized the collaborative effort that made the renovations possible, stating:

“The renovations undertaken here are a fantastic testament to the people power of volunteers from the Crosspatrick Community Group, who have seen this project through from the outset.” Symes also acknowledged the community’s dedicated fundraising efforts and the financial support received from Community Finance Ireland, a Leader grant for Rural Development, and a community grant from the Bord na Mona Powergen Bruckana Windfarm.“

Community Finance Ireland has been instrumental in supporting community and voluntary organizations in Kilkenny, approving a total of €2.28 million in social finance loans since 2016. The organization takes a flexible approach to funding, bridging gaps and providing loans to meet the diverse needs of community groups.

Thomas expressed his gratitude for the support received from Community Finance Ireland, stating,

“”Our experience with Community Finance Ireland was really fantastic. Barry helped us with advice on our Leader grant application as well as the bridging loan to get the project off the ground. That support is the reason we’re here today.“

The Crosspatrick community hall’s transformation stands as a testament to the power of collaboration and the impact of social finance in empowering local communities.

Community Finance Ireland continues to deliver social finance solutions that support various community initiatives, sports projects, faith-based groups, and social enterprises. As part of the UCIT Group, Community Finance Ireland is the most progressive social finance provider on the island of Ireland.

If you and your community facilIf you, your board and volunteers need advice on how to fund a new idea for your community hall get in touch today or follow us on Twitter.  

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