Heart of the Community Fund 2022 FAQ


Frequently Asked Questions


What is the application period?

The Heart of the Community Fund 2022 will accept applications online from Monday, 17th October until Wednesday, 2nd November.

Late applications will not be accepted.


What awards are offered by the Heart of the Community Fund in 2022?

The Heart of the Community Fund 2022 offers awards up to €20,000 for small, not-for-profit organisations with an annual turnover of less than €/£3,000,000.

Awards will be offered in the following 3 tiers:

  • €5,000
  • €10,000
  • €20,000

How do I apply?

Apply online through our portal here from 17th October 2022.


Do you accept applications from unincorporated groups/associations?

No. Heart of the Community Fund is not open to unincorporated associations or community groups that do not have any legal structure. Organisations applying to Heart of the Community Fund 2022 must be at least one of the following:

  • Company Limited Guarantee (CLG)
  • Community Interest Company (CIC)
  • Charity Incorporated Organisation (CIO)
  • Registered Charity
  • Charitable Trust

Can our organisation apply if we are relatively new and don’t have a full set of accounts?

For a new organisation we can use your bank statement in lieu of the financial statement but, in that case, you would need to submit an unredacted bank statement. We would also ask that you submit a cashflow for the year ahead tracking income and expenditure.


Can we apply as a regional/affiliate partner of a larger organisation?

You can apply if your organisation is independently established and has separate bank details, governing documents etc. multiple applications for the same registered organisation will not be accepted.


Do you require supporting documents to be submitted?

Yes. In the first step of the application, we require a governing document for your organisation, most recent financial statements, breakdown of budget and bank statement header.

As per our financial security process, we require a bank statement header to verify the details provided. All transaction history can be redacted; it is only the account details on the top section that would need to be visible. We also verbally verify these details over the phone. For unsuccessful applicants, this bank statement and bank details will not be retained on file.


What do you require for due diligence reviews on organisations?

Due diligence is critical for The Ireland Funds. To be eligible, organisations;

  • Must be at least one of the following:
    • Company Limited Guarantee (CLG)
    • Community Interest Company (CIC)
    • Charity Incorporated Organisation (CIO)
    • Registered Charity
    • Charitable Trust
  • Must have:
    • Governing Document (ie. Memorandum & Articles of Association; Trust Deed; Constitution)
    • Financial Statements (Audited or Unaudited Accounts are equally accepted)
  • Must have a governing document that contains the following clauses:
    • Income and Property
      • Outlining the allocation of any income to the sole purpose of pursuing the organisations purpose and objects
      • Ensuring that any Directors will not be remunerated by salary or fees
    • Winding Up/Dissolution
      • Providing security for income/funds should the organization cease operations. Funds are guaranteed to be transferred to an organisation with a similar charitable purpose.

What activities are not funded by the Heart of the Community Fund 2022?

The Heart of the Community Fund 2022 does not fund the following:

  • Individuals, bursaries, or scholarships
  • Tuition, course fees, accreditation costs for staff or volunteers
  • Medical expenses
  • Capital projects
  • One-off events
  • Animal welfare activities
  • Marketing materials or publication costs
  • Commemorative structures
  • Advancement of religion/faith or religious beliefs

Does my application have to be submitted electronically?

Yes. All applications must be submitted electronically through our online grants portal which can be found here: https://irelandfunds.org/grants/

We do not accept applications via post or email.


Will I receive confirmation that my application has been received?

Yes. You will receive an email confirming The Ireland Funds has received your submitted application.


My application was rejected. Can I reapply and when can I reapply?

Organisations can only submit one application per grant round. You can apply for future grant rounds as long as your organisation fits the criteria


How soon will I know if I am successful?

Within 8 weeks from the closing date where possible and depending on volume of applications received.


Are quotations for the estimated costs required?

Quotations are not required but do try and provide as much detail as possible in your budget attachment.


How is the grant paid?

Grants are paid through Electronic Funds Transfer.


What if the project we needed the money for doesn’t go ahead or we don’t spend all the money we are awarded?

Please email the Grants Team as soon as possible at grantsinfo@irelandfunds.org quoting the Grant ID provided on the Grant Acceptance Contract.


How long do we have to spend the money?

You must spend your grant within the timeframe stated in the Grant Acceptance Contract which will be 12 months from date of notification. However, the Impact Report for Heart of the Community Fund 2022 is due nine months from the date of notification so the majority of the funds should be spent by this deadline to ensure accurate reporting.