The Ireland Fund Of Great Britain

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £500,072 (charitable activities expenditure, year ending March 2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Approximately 14 weeks (applications close late November, decisions announced early March)
• Grant Range: £1,000 - £10,000 (Small Grants Round)
• Geographic Focus: Great Britain and Ireland, supporting Irish communities and Irish diaspora

Contact Details

Address: Charity Number 327889 (UK Charity Commission)

Website: https://irelandfunds.org/chapters/worldwide/great-britain/

Email: ifgb@irelandfunds.org

Phone: 020 7597 6656

Application Support: For questions about applications, contact ifgb@irelandfunds.org

Overview

The Ireland Fund of Great Britain was established over 45 years ago as part of a global philanthropic network founded by Sir Anthony O'Reilly and Dan Rooney. The charity, registered in the UK as charity number 327889, supports communities in Ireland and across the Irish diaspora, with total income of £966,861 and charitable expenditure of £500,072 in the year ending March 2024. Operating across 12 countries globally, The Ireland Funds network has raised over £450 million to support more than 3,200 organizations. The Great Britain chapter focuses on channeling support to community development, culture, education, and peace initiatives, operating without government funding and relying entirely on donations from private individuals and corporations. Under current Chair Bridget Walsh (appointed 2023), the organization emphasizes education as a core pillar alongside poverty relief and integration. In 2024, The Ireland Funds globally provided over 1,250 grants totaling over €26 million to more than 330 organizations.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Community Impact Fund (Annual Application)

• Grant Amount: £1,000 - £10,000
• Eligibility: Charities with annual turnover under £1 million
• Average Grant: Approximately £4,000 (based on previous rounds)
• Application Method: Online application through Plinth platform
• Application Period: Typically October to November (e.g., October 28 - November 28, 2025)
• Funding Type: Project/programme costs
• Decision Timeline: Decisions announced approximately 14 weeks after application closure (e.g., March 2026 for November 2025 applications)

Donor Advised Grants Programme

• Allows donors to direct their philanthropy to specific causes
• Amounts vary based on donor preferences

Priority Areas (2025-2026 Focus)

The Community Impact Fund operates within four core pillars: Community Development, Peace, Education, and Culture. For the 2025-2026 cycle, particular emphasis is placed on:

1. Relief of Poverty and Hardship - Supporting vulnerable populations with basic and critical needs assistance
2. Belonging and Integration - Initiatives fostering connection and breaking down barriers for marginalized or isolated groups

Note: Applications outside these priority areas are still welcome, though priority consideration will be given to projects addressing the two focus areas.

Historical Funding Areas Include:

• Education programs and training
• Counseling and bereavement support services
• Outreach services for elderly, isolated, and vulnerable individuals
• Community resilience building
• Environmental sustainability programs
• Mental health and trauma therapy services
• Arts and culture initiatives

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly detailed in available materials. Applicants should review full grant guidelines available on the website or contact ifgb@irelandfunds.org for detailed eligibility criteria.

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Governance and Leadership

Current Chair

Bridget Walsh (appointed 2023)

• Global Head of Private Equity at EY
• Board member since 2021
• Priorities: Education as a core pillar, giving back to communities that paved the way for Irish diaspora success

Key Quote from Bridget Walsh: “One of the main areas of focus as we move into 2024 is education, a core pillar of the organisation and one of [my] passions... The Ireland Funds has a prestigious reputation and a rich history.”

Previous Chair

Rory Godson (2018-2023)

• CEO of Powerscourt Group
• Focused on board expansion, gender equality (achieving 50% representation), and enhancing fundraising capacity

Key Quote from Rory Godson: "It is an honour and a challenge to chair The Ireland Funds Great Britain. The IFGB has a remarkable history going back three decades to its inaugural ball at Claridge's in June 1988."

Board of Directors

The organization operates with 14 trustees (as of March 2024), none of whom receive remuneration. The board has been significantly expanded in recent years to enhance fundraising and convening power. Notable board members include:

• Evelyn Bourke - Non-executive director of Bank of Ireland and Marks & Spencer Group plc, former CEO of Bupa Group
• Emer Finnan - President (Europe) at Kildare Partners
• Susan Whelan - Chief Executive of Leicester City Football Club
• Conor Hillery - Co-Head of J.P. Morgan's financial services business globally
• Brian Dickie - Senior Advisor, Investcorp
• John Feeney - Tyrus Capital
• Dr. Declan Tiernan - Co-Head of Europe and Partner, Oak Hill Advisors

Staff

The charity employs 2 staff members (as of March 2024).

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

1. Review Guidelines: Download and thoroughly review the Community Impact Fund guidelines (available in PDF format on the website)
2. Online Application: Submit application through the Plinth platform during the open application period
3. Application Period: Typically runs for approximately one month (e.g., October 28 - November 28)
4. Important Note: “The opportunity to apply is not a guarantee of funding”

Decision Timeline

• Application Submission: Late November (deadline varies annually)
• Review Process: All applications undergo stringent review by the Grants Assessment Committee
• Board Approval: Final approval by the Board of The Ireland Funds Great Britain
• Decision Notification: Approximately 14 weeks after submission (early March for November applications)
• Notification Method: Applicants notified by email

Success Rates

Success rates and specific application numbers are not publicly disclosed. The organization states that grants are “only distributed following a thorough assessment of all applications.”

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants are not publicly detailed. Applicants should contact ifgb@irelandfunds.org for specific guidance on reapplying after an unsuccessful application.

Application Success Factors

What The Funder Values

1. Strong Community Impact: Organizations must demonstrate they are “working hard to enrich the lives of many people in communities across Great Britain and Ireland”

1. Alignment with Irish Diaspora: The fund explicitly supports Irish communities and the Irish diaspora, so organizations with connections to these communities may have stronger alignment

1. Education Focus: Under current leadership, education is highlighted as a passion area and core pillar

1. Serving Vulnerable Populations: Recent emphasis on poverty relief, hardship alleviation, and supporting isolated/marginalized groups

1. Financial Sustainability: The £1 million turnover threshold suggests they aim to support smaller grassroots organizations

Key Advice from Leadership

From Bridget Walsh's career guidance (applicable to organizational approach):

• “Be authentic and stay true to who you are”
• “Be more intentional about networking”
• “Prioritise the relationships, take a genuine interest and be naturally curious”
• “The harder you work, the luckier you get”

From Women in Business panel:

• “Follow your gut”
• Importance of creativity, curiosity, and having an open mind
• Pushing out of comfort zones

Example Funded Organizations (2024)

While specific UK examples are limited in public materials, examples from the broader Ireland Funds network include:

• Crann Centre: Supporting families caring for those with neuro-physical disabilities (grew from 380 to 500+ families in 2024)
• WOMEN'STEC: Training 700+ women and girls in construction and non-traditional trades
• icap Immigrant Counselling and Psychotherapy: Supporting immigrant communities

Application Tips

1. Review the stringent process: Understand that applications undergo thorough committee review and board approval
2. Focus on programme costs: The Community Impact Fund specifically covers programme/project costs
3. Address priority areas: While applications outside priority areas are welcome, those addressing poverty relief and belonging/integration receive priority consideration
4. Demonstrate Irish connection: As an organization supporting Irish communities and diaspora, demonstrating this connection strengthens applications
5. Submit complete applications: Allow adequate time before the deadline to compile all required information

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Education is paramount: Current chair's passion for education makes this a particularly strong alignment area for 2024 onwards
• Small grants, big impact: With grants averaging £4,000, the fund supports grassroots organizations with modest budgets (under £1 million turnover)
• Limited annual opportunity: With only one annual application round and a 14-week decision timeline, timing is crucial
• Relationship-driven organization: The Ireland Funds emphasizes connecting people, channeling support, and changing lives through relationships
• Network leverage: With over £450 million raised globally and support for 3,200+ organizations, demonstrating how your work connects to broader Irish community goals may strengthen applications
• No government funding dependency: The organization's independence from government funding means they prioritize donor-aligned causes and community development initiatives
• Thorough review process: Applications undergo committee assessment and board approval, suggesting detailed, well-documented proposals are essential
• Focus on diaspora: Strong alignment with Irish communities in Britain and connection to Irish heritage/diaspora strengthens applications

References

1. The Ireland Funds Great Britain official website, Grants page: https://irelandfunds.org/chapters/worldwide/great-britain/grants/
2. UK Charity Commission Register, The Ireland Fund of Great Britain (327889): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=327889&subid=0
3. The Ireland Funds Great Britain, About page: https://irelandfunds.org/chapters/worldwide/great-britain/
4. The Ireland Funds, Projects Supported page: https://irelandfunds.org/chapters/worldwide/great-britain/projects-supported/
5. “Bridget Walsh appointed as Chair of The Ireland Funds Great Britain,” The Ireland Funds news: https://irelandfunds.org/news/bridget-walsh-appointed-as-chair-of-the-ireland-funds-great-britain/
6. “A note from the Chair of The Ireland Funds Great Britain, Rory Godson,” The Ireland Funds news: https://irelandfunds.org/news/rory-godson/
7. “Over €26m in supports provided by Ireland Funds in 2024,” RTE News, February 24, 2025: https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2025/0224/1498693-ireland-funds/
8. The Ireland Funds Great Britain, Board of Directors page: https://irelandfunds.org/chapters/worldwide/great-britain/ifgb-board-of-directors/
9. “John Feeney, Brian Dickie, Conor Hillery and Dr Declan Tiernan join the Board of The Ireland Funds Great Britain,” The Ireland Funds news: https://irelandfunds.org/news/john-feeney-brian-dickie-conor-hillery-and-dr-declan-tiernan-join-the-board-of-the-ireland-funds-great-britain/
10. “Evelyn Bourke, Emer Finnan, Bridget Walsh and Susan Whelan join the Board of The Ireland Funds Great Britain,” The Ireland Funds news: https://irelandfunds.org/news/ifgb-board-update-june-2021/