Since 2013 The Tony Ryan Fund for Tipperary has awarded almost €2 million across Tipperary. Most recently, ChangeX were awarded €100,000 from the Fund to spread two primary school initiatives across County Tipperary. The first was for promoting safe and healthy play, and the second to train primary schools to be ambassadors in turning the tide against plastic pollution.
This grant is the first to support Change X in these projects and will enable 75 replications (with at least 25 of each idea) in primary schools across County Tipperary, North and South. This represents almost 50% of all primary schools in the County. The grant will be used to recruit, train and support teachers to activate and implement on an ongoing basis one or both programmes in their school.
What will the grants support?
The first of the programmes ‘Playworks’ is an evidence-based programme originating in California that ensures children experience safe and healthy play at school. Teachers and students are trained to use a semi-structured play programme that has been proven to create a more positive and inclusive school environment, increase the physical activity of participating students and reduce bullying during yard time. The programme involves a combination of online and in-person training for teachers throughout the school year.
The second programme ‘Plastic free 4 Schools’ is a primary school initiative run by Change by Degrees, an Irish social enterprise. The programme helps schools to avoid single use plastics, reduce waste and maximise recycling. Taking a very practical approach, schools start with concrete actions in their classrooms, and then participate in a workshop facilitated by the Co-Founders of Change by Degrees. The programme is designed to engage parents and local community members to maximise impact and ensure that awareness and action continues beyond the classroom.
Tony Ryan Fund for Tipperary
The ‘Tony Ryan Fund for Tipperary’ was established within The Community Foundation for Ireland in 2013 by the Tony Ryan Trust to give financial support to evidence based initiatives that support children and young people in County Tipperary to reach their full potential. The core focus of the funding was to improve the life experience of Children and Young people living in County Tipperary. Since then it has awarded nearly 2 million euro through over 130 small grants across Tipperary. The grants were aimed at community initiatives promoting the sense of belonging and increasing community spirit in Tipperary especially ones that were engaging young and new members to a community.
The Tony Ryan Fund is a great example of one of the type of work our Donor Advised Funds can generate which is tailored to the donor’s needs and is a flexible and convenient way to engage in philanthropy. To read more about different types of giving click here.
Who are Change x?
ChangeX is a platform of proven ideas for anyone to start, spread or invest in ideas that transform and strengthen their community. It is a marketplace for social change that allows you to discover proven ideas and provides all the information and support you need to get those ideas up and running in your local community. They believe that people getting together in their local communities to improve health, sustainability or education can contribute towards achieving the Global Goals. With ChangeX, everyone can play a role - They are calling on people to join their commitment to get 20 million local projects started to benefit one billion people by 2030.