Member Spotlight

This new feature, shines a light on members of Philanthropy Ireland, their role, impact and how they are adapting to COVID-19. If you wish to spotlight your organisation please email niamh@philanthropy.ie

Community Finance Ireland has invested €30 million in communities over the past four -year period.

A makeover for the annual ‘Willie Clancy Festival’ in Clare, an upgrade for Ballinasloe Town Hall Theatre, new equipment for the Dublin Cliffhangers Climbing Club in Finglas plus the first women’s dedicated playing field and changing facilities in Co. Armagh, our business collaborates with Change-makers right across the island of Ireland.

As a registered charity and a social enterprise our business is committed to creating a world class community finance system that ensures positive impact is felt — not just dreamt.

Since we first opened our doors in Belfast in 1999 and grew our reach and client portfolio into Ireland we have worked with capital providers and clients to help see the change and make the change right across the Community, Voluntary and Social Enterprise (CVSE) sector.

Today we are the fastest –growing dedicated social finance provider in Ireland and the UK — but there is always more to do.

We have recently invested in an all island rebrand project that helps signify this unique service to those amongst us who Choose Change and need a partner that supports those dreams.

If you are new to us, we promise that we Speak Finance but we hear People and the following helps demonstrate exactly that:

• Our first ever All island Impact Report shows the extent of our investment in communities across the island of Ireland. Since 2016, we have lent €8.6m to clients in Leinster, €3.5m to clients in Munster, €1.8m to clients in Connaught, and €16.3m to clients in Ulster. https://communityfinanceirelandreport.com/
• Our brand new all island website, offers an easy online and enquiry service so all you need is good broadband to find us. https://communityfinanceireland.com/
• Our client videos and our new podcast series show the diversity we get the chance to collaborate with: Whether you are interested in sport, sustainable food or broadband facilities in your community these are the voices of inspirational Change-makers. These are available on our website and @ComFinanceIrl.

Dónal Traynor, Associate Director of Community Finance Ireland said:

“Access to social finance will be more important than ever before as communities recover from Covid-19. With the fallout from the pandemic, we anticipate a reduction in grant funding to the community sector generally, so — in the coming years — social finance will play an increasingly vital role in supporting grassroots community organisations and social enterprises. At the same time, Covid-19 has starkly shown the importance of community solidarity, ‘social capital’ and sustainability within communities. We have seen yet again the resilience of the sector and we remain open and committed to supporting where we can. Our loans continue to range from €30,000 to €500,000, and we invite all Change-makers to come and talk to us. We are listening.”

ENDS