New Begin Together Fund for local community projects announced

New Begin Together Fund for local community projects announced by Bank of Ireland

Belonging to a vibrant supportive community can be incredibly rewarding. But great communities and thriving towns don’t just happen. They need tireless commitment and active support. Fortunately, in every town and village there are people, businesses and organisations working hard to make things better for everyone. Bank of Ireland Begin Together supports them and their work in communities all across the island of Ireland. Let’s Begin Together.

The Begin Together Fund will provide valuable investment for community initiatives making a difference in towns and villages across the island of Ireland. Bank of Ireland’s Begin Together Fund wants to get behind those making the lives of others in their communities better by improving their financial , physical and mental wellbeing. Fortunately, in every town and village there are people, businesses and organisations working hard to make things better for everyone. Bank of Ireland supports them and their work in communities all across the island of Ireland. We want to get behind those trying to make the lives of others in their communities better by improving their financial, physical and mental wellbeing. Whatever their ideas, we want to help them to succeed.

Begin Together Fund Criteria

The Begin Together fund will support new and existing project-based activities with grants of up to €5,000 (or the sterling equivalent) for local, not for profit groups working to improve the financial physical and/or mental wellbeing of the communities they serve across all counties on the island of Ireland.

Applications are welcome from charities and not-for-profit community groups working in communities that address one or more of the strands of wellbeing as outlined in the fund criteria which can be found here.

Interested organisations are invited to complete the online application form before 4pm on Tuesday, March 31st.  

How to Apply

• Check you meet the criteria which can be found here
• Ensure that the timeline of your project fits within the funding period. If you have any questions please contact us
• You must apply via our online application form here
• Applications should be submitted before the deadline of 16:00 on 31st March 2020. Applications received after this date will not be considered
• If you are unsure about a particular area please consult the FAQ document here

The Process

1. Organisations submit their application via the online application form, which can be accessed here
2. Applications will be reviewed by The Community Foundation for Ireland
3. A shortlist will be developed comprised of the highest scoring applicants
4. All shortlisted applicants will be put to a public vote – this will take place over a four week period
5. Candidates who receive the highest number of votes during the online public vote will be deemed successful
6. Due diligence of all successful candidates will be completed
7. Upon meeting all due diligence requirements, funding will be distributed to successful candidates

Documents you will need

• A copy of your organisation’s governing documents
• A copy of your organisation’s bank details
• A copy of your organisation’s child safeguarding policy, where relevant
• A copy of your organisation’s vulnerable adults policy, where relevant

 Timeline

• Open for Applications- 20th Feb 2020
• Closing Date for Applications- 31st March 2020
• Public Voting Round- May/June 2020
• Grantees Notified- July 2020
• Payments to Grantees- July 2020
• Projects to be complete- 1st July 2021
• Outcome Report- August 2021

Closing Date: 16:00 on 31st March 2020.