Minister Jerry Buttimer Announces €944,585 for Pilot Place-Based Philanthropy Projects

National Philanthropy Policy: Minister Jerry Buttimer announces
€944,585 for Pilot Place- Based Philanthropy Projects

Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development and Charities, Jerry Buttimer, has today (Wednesday, 6^th August 2025) announced the successful projects following a call for Pilot Place-Based Philanthropy projects.

Nine projects across the country will receive multi-annual funding totalling €944,585 from the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht. The pilot projects will be supported by philanthropic donations of nearly €1 million, resulting in a total investment of almost €1.9 million in community led projects.

The projects will address local needs and challenges through strong community involvement and collaboration between Government and philanthropic partners.

A key action of the National Philanthropy Policy 2024-2028 is to promote cross sectoral partnership and unlock philanthropic potential to address key social issues.

Announcing the allocation, Minister Buttimer said:

I am delighted to announce funding of almost €1 million for nine successful projects under the call for pilot place-based philanthropy projects that I launched in May this year.

This funding represents the Government’s commitment to the National Philanthropy Policy which is aimed at growing philanthropy in Ireland and maximising its impact for the public good. Place-based giving is a major driver for philanthropists to give back to their local community.

And the funding from my Department for these projects will be matched by philanthropic donations of almost €1 million to deliver total funding of €1.9 million for community-led projects.

I look forward to seeing the impact these projects will deliver for their communities.

Speaking at the announcement, Minister of State with special responsibility for Community Development and Charities, Jerry Buttimer, said:

I am delighted with today’s announcement which sees a further 212 projects brought to fruition through the Community Recognition Fund. This fund has now invested €100 million in cities, towns and villages across the country and the difference this funding has made will serve these communities well for many years to come.

The way in which these communities, welcomed new arrivals is a testament to the Irish people and that ‘meitheal’ which is still part of the fabric of our society, long may it continue.

Welcoming the announcement, Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht Dara Calleary said:

The aim of this call was to support projects that:
· Promote understanding and collaboration between philanthropy and government (both national and local government)
· Address local needs or challenges
· Test innovation, co-funding approaches to addressing key social issues.

I am confident that the successful projects announced today will bring together resources in a collaborative way to benefit their communities and demonstrate how partnerships between communities, philanthropists and local government can be an effective tool in addressing local challenges.

Examples of successful projects announced today include:

JumpAGrade, Co Cork. €90,000 to establish an innovative academic and guidance support system for senior cycle students in disadvantaged areas of Cork City and County.
Citywise Fast Track Academy, Co Dublin. €90,000 to support young people in a disadvantaged area to reach and access third level education.
The Common Knowledge Centre, Co Clare. €100,000 to deliver a place-based programme focused on sustainability, community empowerment and environmental restoration.
Legal Change-Makers Programme, Co Limerick. €53,584 to empower disadvantaged communities in Limerick by providing free legal advice clinics.

A full list of the successful projects is here.

In conclusion, Minister Buttimer added:

Government and Sectoral Partnership is a key objective under the National Philanthropy Policy. Recognising that philanthropy has the potential to complement and add further value to government investments, I want to acknowledge and thank the philanthropic donors for their contributions and investment in our communities.

Call for Pilot Place-Based Philanthropy Projects

The Call for Pilot Place-Based Philanthropy Projects was launched by Minister Buttimer in May this year. The aim of this 2025 call for Pilot-Place Based Philanthropy projects is to is to provide funding to co-funded projects that address local need or challenge, have a confirmed philanthropic partner and are able to demonstrate strong community involvement, cross sector collaboration and sustainable outcomes.

The aim of this call for place-based pilot projects is to support projects that:

Address identified local needs or challenges – social, economic or environmental.
Promote understanding and collaboration between philanthropy and government (both national and local government), and
Test innovative, co-funding approaches to addressing key social issues.

The main objectives of the programme are to:

Bring together resources in a collaborative way to benefit the community in a defined geographical location,
Promote partnership and collaboration between communities, philanthropists, local government and local organisations, and
Trial a co-funding approach to gain insights to inform future initiatives.

A total of 33 applications were received with 9 successful projects receiving funding from the Dormant Accounts Fund.

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:

Communication and awareness raising
Data and research
Stimulating and incentivising philanthropy
Government and sectoral partnership
Capacity building

The policy sets out a series of 21 actions across these objectives for the development of philanthropy over the five-year period. A review of the policy will take place after three years, which will facilitate an evaluation of progress with a view to updating it where necessary.
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 sub-groups have each developed a work plan for 2025, which has been consolidated into a single document which highlights key priorities for delivery for each sub-group over the lifetime 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.

The Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht

The Department of Rural and Community Development is now known as The Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht. Our Minister’s titles are Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD and Minister of State with Responsibility for Community Development and Charities, Jerry Buttimer TD. The above titles should be used when referring to the Department and Ministers going forward.