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The Ireland Funds America

Annual Giving
$19.6M
Grant Range
$5K - $0.1M

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The Ireland Funds America (formerly The American Ireland Fund)

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $19.5 million (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Varies by programme
  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $100,000+
  • Geographic Focus: Ireland (Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland)

Contact Details

Headquarters: 10 Post Office Square, Suite 1205 Boston, MA 02109

Phone: 617-574-0720 (Boston) | +1-212-689-3100 (US General)

Email: grantsinfo@irelandfunds.org

Website: https://irelandfunds.org

Grant Inquiries: grantsinfo@irelandfunds.org

Overview

Founded in 1976, The Ireland Funds America (EIN: 25-1306992) is part of a global philanthropic network with 12 chapters worldwide. Collectively, The Ireland Funds have raised over $750 million, benefiting more than 3,000 Irish charitable organisations. In 2023, the organisation provided $19,550,642 in grants across 91 awards. The organisation's mission is "to harness the power of a global philanthropic network of friends of Ireland to promote and support peace, culture, education and community development" across the island of Ireland and among Irish communities worldwide. In 2024, The Ireland Funds delivered over €26 million in supports to more than 330 organisations, marking one of their largest years of grant-making in their 49-year history.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

Heart of the Community Fund

  • Grant Range: £/€5,000-£/€25,000
  • Total Annual Pool: $1 million distributed across two rounds
  • Eligibility: Non-profit organisations with annual turnover under £/€3 million
  • Application: Fixed rounds with specific geographic focus

Flagship Awards (Multi-year)

  • Grant Range: €70,000-€100,000 over two years
  • Focus: Core funding, capacity-building assistance, and/or programme costs
  • Recipients receive technical and programmatic assistance

Small Grants Round

  • Grant Range: Up to €10,000
  • Focus: Small community organisations and first-time applicants
  • Note: Programme structure may have evolved into Heart of the Community Fund

Priority Areas

Peace and Reconciliation

  • Initiatives addressing sectarianism and violence in Northern Ireland
  • Cross-community programmes
  • Integrated education initiatives

Education

  • Scholarships for young people from disadvantaged areas
  • Widening access to third-level education for under-represented groups
  • Music education initiatives
  • Integrated education in Northern Ireland

Arts and Culture

  • Cultural programming and preservation
  • Arts programming engaging young people and families

Community Development

  • Positive mental and physical health programmes
  • Community integration initiatives
  • Development of entrepreneurial skills
  • Lifelong learning opportunities
  • Sport and leisure programmes
  • Protection of the natural environment
  • Programmes for senior members
  • Opportunities for young people in rural or disadvantaged communities
  • Civic leadership and employment programmes for youth
  • Homelessness support
  • Food provision services

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly detailed in available materials. Applicants should contact grantsinfo@irelandfunds.org to confirm eligibility for specific project types.

Governance and Leadership

President & CEO: Caitriona Fottrell (appointed May 2020, with the organisation continuously since 1993)

Board Officers:

  • Eugene M. McQuade - Chair
  • Angela H. Moore CBE - Vice Chair (Virginia Distillery Co.)
  • Shaun T. Kelly - Vice Chair (Global Chief Operating Officer, Retired, KPMG International)
  • Christopher "Kip" Condron - Treasurer (President and CEO, Retired, AXA Financial, Inc.)
  • Sheila O'Malley - Secretary (President & CEO, Rockfleet Media)

Key Staff:

  • Conall McGonagle - Chief Financial & Administrative Officer
  • Rory MacIntyre - Senior Vice President & Chief of Staff (New York)
  • Marjorie Muldowney - Vice President of Development
  • Rachel Alabiso - Communications Consultant (Boston)
  • Maudy Dooher - Vice President of Development, New England

Board Members include prominent business leaders such as Anne M. Finucane (Former Vice Chair, BofA), Ronald P. O'Hanley (Chairman & CEO, State Street Corporation), and Robert L. Reynolds (Chair, Great-West Lifeco U.S. LLC).

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Ireland Funds operates fixed grant rounds with specific geographic and thematic priorities. Applications are accepted during designated windows for each grant round.

Application Resources:

  • Application Guidelines (downloadable PDF)
  • Application FAQs
  • Application Portal Guide
  • Sample Application Forms (PDF and Word formats)

Information Sessions: The organisation offers both in-person and online information sessions that provide detailed guidance on the application process and opportunities to ask questions directly to The Ireland Funds team.

Application Requirements: Organisations must provide:

  • Governing document (Memorandum & Articles of Association, Trust Deed, or Constitution)
  • Financial statements (audited or unaudited)
  • Detailed project proposal with clear objectives
  • Itemised list of expenses

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed and vary by programme. The organisation processes applications after each round closes.

Notification: Methods not specified in public materials; contact grantsinfo@irelandfunds.org for details.

Success Rates

In 2022, the organisation received applications from many more organisations than they could fund, distributing 540 grants to 239 grant recipients totalling $16,474,438. In 2024, the Heart of the Community Fund awarded €1 million to 93 organisations (June round) and €500,000 to 20 organisations (December round). Specific success rate percentages are not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants are not detailed in publicly available materials. Applicants should contact grantsinfo@irelandfunds.org or consult Application FAQs for guidance.

Application Success Factors

Based on funded project analysis:

  1. Clear Community Impact: Successful projects demonstrate measurable benefits to vulnerable populations. Recent funded examples include:

    • Rural Support's Plough On Project: Tackles rural isolation for older men, supporting 375+ men across 17 locations
    • Crann Centre: Grew from supporting 380 families (2023) to 500+ families (2024) caring for those with neuro-physical disabilities
    • Sanctuary Runners: Creates opportunities for refugees and asylum-seekers to connect with local communities

  2. Alignment with Strategic Priorities: Projects should clearly fit within the four focus areas (peace, education, arts/culture, community development) and address specific needs identified by The Ireland Funds.

  3. Strong Organisational Foundation: Provide comprehensive governing documents and financial statements demonstrating organisational stability and capacity.

  4. Specific, Measurable Outcomes: Applications should include clear objectives with itemised budgets showing how funds will be used.

  5. Service to Disadvantaged Communities: Priority given to organisations serving children experiencing poverty, families in disadvantaged communities, rural and hard-to-reach areas, and communities affected by trauma.

  6. Organisational Size Considerations: The Heart of the Community Fund targets organisations with annual turnover under £/€3 million, while Flagship Awards support larger-scale initiatives.

  7. Technical Assistance Readiness: The Ireland Funds provides technical and direct programmatic assistance to grantees; successful applicants should be prepared to engage in capacity-building support.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Target the Right Programme: Match your organisation size and project scope to either Heart of the Community Fund (smaller grants, <£/€3M turnover) or Flagship Awards (larger multi-year support)
  • Geographic Timing Matters: Grant rounds alternate between Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland; apply when your region is eligible
  • Attend Information Sessions: Take advantage of in-person or online sessions to understand current priorities and ask specific questions about your project's fit
  • Demonstrate Community Impact: Use specific metrics and examples showing how your work benefits vulnerable populations, particularly in areas of disadvantage
  • Prepare Comprehensive Documentation: Have governing documents and financial statements ready; thorough due diligence is required
  • Think Beyond the Grant: The Ireland Funds offers technical assistance and capacity-building support; highlight your willingness to engage with these resources
  • Contact Them Early: With competitive application processes and varying annual priorities, reach out to grantsinfo@irelandfunds.org to discuss fit before applying

References

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