connect 2018 • 48 THE IRELAND FUNDS 2017 FLAGSHIP GRANT ROUND The Ireland Funds 2017 Flagship Grant Round The Ireland Funds Flagship Grant Round identifies organizations that have particular impact in their field and have demonstrated innovation and effectiveness with prior support received. As 2017 Flagship Grant recipients, the following organizations will receive two years of financial and non-financial support that includes training, advice on fundraising, and opportunities to connect with members of The Ireland Funds’ network. Thank you to our Donors and the thousands of people that attend our events—your generosity is what enables these major investments to bring about major impact for the island of Ireland. In 2017, 90organizations submitted applications for Flagship Grants 11finalists presented to The Ireland Funds Flagship Grants Panel 5Flagship Grants Awarded €450ktotal invested in The Ireland Funds Flagship Grants in 2017 The Irish Film Institute (IFI) is Ireland’s national cultural institution for film, comprising three core activi- ties: Exhibit, Preserve and Educate. The IFI are undertaking a major cultural & heritage preservation & access project – known as the IFI Digital Preservation and Access Strat- egy. The key aim of this project is to save critically at-risk material of cul- turally significant documentary films spanning three decades, and making it freely available to view on the IFI Player for a worldwide audience. The Ireland Funds has committed €100k over two years to join the IFI in its mission to preserve the past for the future generations to come. The Irish Men’s Sheds Association (IMSA) is a community-based, non- profit, creating space for men of all ages to gather in a safe, friendly environment where they can work on interesting projects – all with the goal of reducing social isolation, enhancing community cohesion and improving the health and wellbeing of men throughout Ireland. The Ireland Funds is proud to support the Irish Men’s Sheds Association with an investment of €100k over two years to imple- ment a Shed Support Program, which will allow IMSA to bet- ter support the growing network of 440+ Men’s Sheds throughout Ireland. Through this support, the implementation of a National Vol- unteer Programme will see some 40 volunteers engaged and trained to liaise directly between sheds and IMSA’s head office.