Cost-of-Living Fund to support Communities
CEO of Community Foundation Ireland along with grant recipients,
Focus Ireland’s Director of Services, Ciara Carty and Tanya Ward,
CEO of The Children’s Rights Alliance.
The Cost-of-Living Crisis has had a profound impact on the financial wellbeing of our customers and wider society. As part of our response to this Bank of Ireland has donated €1 million to organisations supporting those most at risk from cost-of-living pressures. The donation was targeted to a range of groups including children and families at risk, older persons, those with disabilities, lone parents, international protection applicants, and low-income families.
The first €500,000 was fast-tracked in early January 2023 to 13 organisations working with vulnerable groups across the island of Ireland with grants ranging from €25,000 up to €100,000. It provided support to established, national organisations that are alleviating the cost-of-living crisis through the provision of a range of practical supports.
The second allocation was divided across 53 smaller non-profit organisations, with grants of between €4,500 and €10,000 being distributed. This second round of funding was to maintain or increase services and support increased running costs resulting from the cost-of-living crisis. The cost-of-living fund was delivered in partnership with the Community Foundation for Ireland.