Minister Buttimer announces funding call for Pilot Place-Based Philanthropy projects

• €600,000 fund available over three years for pilot place-based philanthropy projects
• a key objective of the National Philanthropy Policy 2024-2028 to promote Government and sectoral partnership
• supporting community led projects that test innovative, co-funding approaches to addressing local issues

Minister of State for Rural and Community Development, Jerry Buttimer, today (Thursday 15 May) announced a funding call for pilot place-based philanthropy projects.

This call is focussed on local projects that bring together community and philanthropic resources in a collaborative way to address key social issues. Funding will be provided on a 50:50 match funding basis, with up to €50,000 per annum available over three years for successful projects.

This call is a key action under the National Philanthropy Policy for Ireland 2024-2028 aimed at promoting Government and philanthropic collaboration.

The call will provide funding to co-funded projects that address a local need or challenge, have a confirmed philanthropic partner and are able to demonstrate strong community involvement, cross sector collaboration and sustainable outcomes.

Minister Buttimer said:

“I am very pleased to launch this call for pilot place-based philanthropy projects. The Programme for Government affirms the government’s commitment to progressing the National Philanthropy Policy which is aimed at growing philanthropy in Ireland.

“The Policy sets a clear vision – to create an environment that supports philanthropy and maximises its impact for the public good.

“And place-based giving is a major driver for philanthropists to give back to their local communities.

“This call for pilot projects is a first step towards developing a framework for greater partnership and collaboration between government – both local government and national government - and the philanthropic community."

Applications to this call must be led by a community development organisation or community- based group that has a confirmed philanthropic funding partner. Consultation and engagement with the relevant local authority will also be taken into consideration when assessing applications.

The closing date for applications is 12pm on Monday 16 June. More information is available here.

National Philanthropy Policy 2024-2028

• the National Philanthropy Policy for Ireland 2024-2028 was launched in December 2023
• the purpose of this policy is to deepen understanding and knowledge, create an enabling environment and accelerate engagement with philanthropy in Ireland for social good
• the policy focuses on five key objectives:

1. Communication and awareness raising
2. Data and research
3. Stimulating and incentivising philanthropy
4. Government and sectoral partnership
5. Capacity building

• the policy sets out a series of 21 actions across these objectives for the development of philanthropy over the five-year period
• the implementation of the policy is overseen by the Implementation and Monitoring Group (IMG) which is chaired by the department and composed of stakeholders involved in the philanthropy sphere. In addition, five sub-groups have been established, in line with the five key objectives of the policy
• the first annual update of the National Philanthropy Policy was published in March 2025 and provides a description of the progress delivered by each sub-group during 2024