Funding for Community Groups
Open funding opportunities for Irish community groups. Check the linked application page for current deadlines and eligibility.
Circular Economy Innovation Grant Scheme 2026
Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment (with CIRCULÉIRE and Irish Manufacturing Research) · €50,000–€150,000 per grant (€1.5 million total scheme fund) · Deadline: 12 October 2026, 23:59
Grants for businesses, social enterprises, and community and voluntary organisations running innovative circular economy projects, with priority areas including plastics, construction/demolition waste, food waste, and raw materials recovery.
Irish Youth Foundation: Flagship Fund 2026
Irish Youth Foundation · Deadline: 16 October 2026
Supports projects and programmes around the country focused on lifting children and young people up and out of poverty.
Community Heritage Grant Scheme 2027
The Heritage Council · €800 - €25,000 (most awards €10,000-€25,000) · Deadline: 16 October 2026 (Expression of Interest) · National
Funding for community groups, voluntary organisations and NGOs to protect, conserve, celebrate, understand and share Ireland heritage, across themes including Heritage at Risk, Biodiversity & Nature Restoration, Traditional Skills & Conservation, Digital Heritage/Access/Storytelling, Diversity/Equity/Inclusion, and Climate Action/Resilience. Two-stage process: submit an Expression of Interest by the deadline below; shortlisted applicants then submit a full application by 15 January 2027, 5:00pm. Apply via the Heritage Council Online Grants System (no email or postal applications accepted).
Parent Peer Support Fund 2026/2027
Department of Children, Disability and Equality · Up to €5,000 · Deadline: 2 November 2026
Grants for organisations working with parents and/or carers to develop parent peer support initiatives, where parents with shared experiences (e.g. raising a child with complex needs) support one another and reduce isolation.
Texaco Support for Sport — €5,000 Club Award in Every County
Texaco (Valero Energy Ireland) · €5,000 per county · Deadline: 21 January 2027
A €5,000 award for one club in every county — any sport, every county. Entry now open; terms and conditions apply.
Community Sport Facilities Fund (Sports Capital Programme)
Department of Culture, Communications and Sport · Local grants up to €250,000 (equipment capped at €70,000); Regional Tier 1 €250,000–€550,000; Regional Tier 2 €550,000–€750,000 (local authority/NGB-led only) · Deadline: 26 February 2027
Government support for developing sports and physical recreation facilities and buying non-personal sports equipment. Open to voluntary and community organisations, national governing bodies of sport, local authorities, ETBs and schools. Clubs must register on the SPRAOI system to apply. Priority given to disadvantaged areas/groups and shared-facility projects. 2026 round: registration opened 28 September 2026, applications open 19 October 2026, closing 26 February 2027 (figures taken from a circulated summary graphic — check the gov.ie page before applying). New SPRAOI grant system, simpler applications, lease requirement reduced from 15 to 10 years.
Ryder Cup Impact & Legacy Fund (2027 Match, Limerick)
Ryder Cup Europe · Up to €20,000 · Deadline: 29 January 2027
Grants for local organisations and projects delivering lasting positive impact in Limerick City and County ahead of the 2027 Ryder Cup, across Community, Skills & Education, Environment, Disability or Regeneration.
Community Fund
People First Credit Union · €70,000 total fund for the year · Deadline: Quarterly funding meetings (Feb, May, Sept, Nov) - no fixed application deadline stated · Laois, Kildare
People First Credit Union's Community Fund supports local community organisations or charities that require extra funding for community-based projects. The credit union serves County Laois and County Kildare (branches in Portlaoise, Abbeyleix, Athy, and Stradbally) and past recipients have been based across both counties. Funding meetings take place quarterly (February, May, September, November). Apply via the form on the credit union's website, or contact them directly.
Community Food Initiatives (CFI) Innovate Programme
Safefood (administered by SECAD Partnership CLG) · Up to €1,500 (or sterling equivalent) per project · Deadline: Rolling applications; funded activities must be completed by 15 November 2026
All-island funding for community/voluntary groups to develop innovative projects that use food to address health and social concerns, covering either small cooking/healthy-eating-skills projects or broader food-environment projects.
AI for Good Fund
Google.org, Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht (via Rethink Ireland) · €1.75 million (12-month fund)
Supports not-for-profit organisations to build pathways for responsible AI learning and adoption in communities.
Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) 2027
Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage · €2,500–€50,000 per grant
Funds repair and conservation of structures protected under the Planning and Development Acts, including community-owned heritage buildings.
What Works in Communities Fund 2026
Department of Children, Disability and Equality (Dormant Accounts Fund) · National
Supports prevention and early intervention projects for children and young people delivered by community and voluntary organisations.
Children's Active Play Fund
Rethink Ireland, Sunflower Charitable Foundation & Department of Rural and Community Development · €1.5 million total (cash grants plus non-financial supports for up to 8 projects) · National
Three-year fund supporting charitable organisations delivering projects that encourage movement and social connection for young people.