Funding
Finding Funding
Start with The Wheel’s Fundingpoint — a dedicated service providing up-to-date information on small to big grants for every kind of Community and Voluntary Sector group. The downside: access costs €100–€200 per year. Worth it if you secure the funding. Below are free alternatives.
We recommend you: (1) ask local established groups you know for advice, (2) contact your Local Development Company for professional support, and (3) check gov.ie pages for funding opportunities. Philanthropic donations, private trusts and corporate grants are also available through the Community Foundation Ireland Grants Portal.
SMALLISH MONEY Hundreds / low thousands
Local Enhancement Programme
€7m fund launched in 2024 incl. €1m to support local groups with ongoing running costs. Grants from a few hundred to a few thousand euro.
Community Centres Investment Fund
Funds community centres so they remain useable, accessible and safe to meet the needs of the community.
Community Recognition Fund
Recognises communities hosting significant numbers of arrivals from Ukraine and other countries.
Sustaining Social Enterprise Scheme
€4m Dormant Accounts Fund (launched April 2026) — 23-month funding to increase traded income and financial sustainability.
BIG MONEY Hundreds of thousands / millions of euro
LEADER Programme
€250 million in grant aid available to rural communities and businesses.
Family Resource Centre Programme
Expanded from 121 to 136 projects in 2025. Ongoing staff salary funding.
Community Services Programme
Critical programme delivering essential services since 2006. Supports 435 community-based organisations (up from 417 in 2020) via social enterprise model.
Loans & bridging finance for large projects
Social Finance Foundation
Established 2007 by the Government to address loan funding needs of community organisations and social enterprises. Provides capital to lending partners.
Community Finance Ireland
Provides loans and bridging finance to community and not-for-profit groups.
Clann Credo
Lending partner of the Social Finance Foundation, providing loan finance to community groups.
All-island, cross-border & EU funding
PEACEPLUS Programme
€1.14bn programme to promote peace and prosperity across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland over 4 years. Co-funded by the EU, UK Government, Irish Government and NI Executive. Managed by SEUPB.
Access Europe (The Wheel)
One-stop-shop information and advice service for community groups and Irish civil society organisations seeking EU funding and support. Funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs.
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