Minister of State for Community Development and Charities, Jerry Buttimer, has announced nearly €1 million in government funding for nine pilot Place-Based Philanthropy projects across Ireland. The funding, totalling €944,585, will be supported by an additional €1 million in philanthropic donations, bringing the overall investment to nearly €1.9 million. These initiatives are part of the National Philanthropy Policy 2024–2028 and aim to foster community-led development through collaboration between local organisations, government bodies, and private donors.
The funded projects will tackle key local challenges by promoting community involvement and innovative co-funding approaches. This initiative reflects the government’s broader commitment to unlocking philanthropic potential to address pressing social issues and promote partnerships across sectors.
Among the selected projects are JumpAGrade in Cork, offering academic support to disadvantaged students; Citywise Fast Track Academy in Dublin, focused on enabling access to higher education; The Common Knowledge Centre in Clare, with a programme on sustainability and empowerment; and the Legal Change-Makers Programme in Limerick, providing free legal clinics to underserved communities.
Both Minister Buttimer and Minister Dara Calleary praised the initiative as a demonstration of how collaborative efforts between communities, philanthropy, and government can effectively respond to local needs. They reaffirmed the government’s dedication to growing philanthropy in Ireland and ensuring its positive impact is felt at the grassroots level.
