Where does the International Fund for Ireland get its money from?

The International Fund for Ireland is supported by the United States of America, the European Union, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The Fund’s general administrative and organisational expenses are met by the British and Irish Governments.

Who decides how the Fund’s money is spent?

The Fund is managed by a Board which is appointed jointly by the British and Irish Governments and draws upon skills from the private, public, voluntary and community sectors through its membership. All major funding applications are considered by the Board and decisions on approvals are reached at meetings of the Board. Board meetings take place three times per calendar year.  

Before applications reach the Board they are reviewed by the Fund’s Secretariat against the Fund’s criteria for funding to ensure they qualify for consideration by the Board.

Observers from the Fund’s donors also attend the Board meetings to monitor proceedings.

For further information about Board Members click here.

How does the Fund measure its success?

The Fund measures its effectiveness in two ways. At a strategic level, the Fund has conducted independent reviews of its effectiveness and achievements. These reviews were conducted by KPMG in 2000 and Deloitte MCS in 2005 and both found the Fund to be effective, providing a unique source of funding within its areas of operation.

At an operational level, the Fund regularly reviews and evaluates ongoing programmes to assess their effectiveness. Projects and programmes which receive funding have clear outcomes and success indicators which the Fund can track over time.

How can I find out whether the Fund can help my community?

To learn more about the four key areas of activity that the Fund is currently supporting
click here. If you think you have a project which might fall within one of these areas, contact the Fund for more information at:

Northern Ireland:
International Fund for Ireland
PO Box 2000
Belfast BT4 1WD
Telephone:+ 44 (0) 28 9076 8832 
Fax: + 44 (0) 28 9076 3313

Ireland:
International Fund for Ireland
PO Box 2000
Dublin 2
Telephone: + 353 1 478 0655
Fax: + 353 1 475 1351

What type of activities does the Fund give money to?

The Fund is focused on projects, schemes and initiatives which promote reconciliation, greater mutual understanding on a cross-community and/or cross-border basis and which address serious disadvantage and deprivation. Within this there is a great deal of variety with projects run by community organisations, arts organisations and voluntary sector bodies.

What are the Fund’s key criteria for providing organisations with funding?

In line with the priorities of the Sharing this Space strategy, the Fund supports projects that:

Does the Fund work with other funders and charitable bodies?

One of the things that makes the International Fund for Ireland unique is that it is often the ‘first money on the table’, allowing additional funding to be leveraged. In fact, independent evaluation shows that for every £1/€1.20 given by the Fund as ‘first money on the table’, a further £2/€2.40 is raised from other sources, both public and private.

The International Fund for Ireland also works with many other funders and partner organisations on numerous projects. Without this collaboration and co-operation on funding many schemes would not happen. 

What are the Fund’s key priorities in terms of the work it supports?

In line with our current strategy, the International Fund for Ireland’s priority is to support projects which promote cross-community and cross-border reconciliation. The Fund is also concerned with supporting projects which can be sustainable in the long-term, ensuring that the Fund leaves a meaningful and viable legacy.

What type of support is available from the Fund?

The Fund provides financial support and also provides access to development opportunities for community groups through its programmes such as the Community Leadership Programme; Community Based Economic and Social Regeneration Programme; Communities in Transition Programme; Community Bridges Programme; and the Integrating Community Organisations Programme.

The Fund also supports schools through its youth programmes such as Knowledge through Enterprise for Youth Programme (KEY); Learning and Educating Together Programme (LET); and the Sharing in Education Programme which enables young people in Northern Ireland to participate in shared educational experiences. The Wider Horizons Programme (WHP) is open to applications from individuals.

Are there are any conditions to receiving support from the Fund?

Yes. Every successful applicant receives a letter of offer from the Fund, and depending on the nature of the project, there may be specific conditions relevant to the project’s outcomes.

Recipients must agree to comply with employment equality legislation. Funds are also granted on the very strict condition that the recipients in no way support any individual or group involved in terrorist activity.

How much funding is available to individual projects?

The amount of funding available to individual projects depends, amongst other things, on the circumstances of each project, other match-funding that has been applied for or received, and the elements of the project that will be funded using financial assistance from the Fund. 

Does the Fund provide funding for commercial ventures?

Commercial ventures which require access to venture capital can contact Enterprise Equity, the venture capital company established with Fund support.