It is estimated that by 2041, people aged over 65 will account for 22% of the population in Ireland, compared to some 11% today. A society can be judged by how it takes care of its older people. Crucially it should also be judged by how active and engaged older people are with civic society. The Community Foundation for Ireland alongside our generous donors, have supported the rights of older people since we were founded in 2000. Overall since The Community Foundation for Ireland began making grants €2,865,520.8 has been given in grants for Older Persons initiatives all around Ireland
In 2013 we set up a dedicated long-term philanthropic fund focussed on this area called The Older Persons’ Fund. This was set up with an initial investment of €3 million, €1 million from us and €2 million from our partner The Atlantic Philanthropies. Its twin priorities are to empower older people to speak up for what they want and need and to champion older people’s participation as active citizens in their communities. This Fund opened for applications in 2014 and every year we run an open grant round where we seek applications under our two categories active citizenship and advocacy. To date we have given out €918,650.29 from The Older Persons’ Fund. To read more about the Fund see here
This year with the emergence of COVID-19, the pandemic has particularly affected Ireland’s older population. The Community Foundation for Ireland with the help of our generous donors through our Covid 19 Immediate Response Fund gave out €2,560,909.27 to support Ireland’s most vulnerable groups affected by the pandemic, €418,578.40 of which was supporting older persons throughout Ireland particularly those more at risk of social isolation and loneliness.
The Community Foundation for Ireland also supports strategic initiatives which aim to achieve systemic change in key social issues. For example, €150,000 has been awarded to Alone over three years. This is for conducting research and service mapping to critically analyse service demand and service provision for older people in Community Health Organisation (CHO) area 9 and then CHO area 8) with the aim to take these geographic areas as a 'test bed' that can pave the ways for similar service mapping exercises throughout Ireland. “ALONE aims not only to capture this demand and supply by area but also to develop a programme to harness the potential of community organisations to work together” Deirde Davitt, Alone. We also continue to support the further development and activities of The Alliance of Age Sector NGOs with a three year strategic grant.
What’s next?
We will continue to strategically make grants in conjunction with our donors to address the issues facing older persons in Ireland today and in the coming years (we are particularly aware of the issues raised by the Covid 19 pandemic for older persons) to ensure Ireland becomes a great country to grow old in. We have seen a phenomenal response from our donors so far and we know that through engaged philanthropists and The Community Foundation for Ireland’s leadership, we can make a difference to the lives of Older Persons.
To see more examples of our donor advised funds or to find out how to set up a donor advised fund click here.