Submissions open for Community Grant Program (Ireland)

The Council provides a wide range of Grants to community groups to assist with actions and projects being undertaken in their local area. The grants are intended to sustain community activity and active citizenship. It also aims to ensure that the limited financial resources available are used to the maximum benefit of the DLR community at large and support in achieving the council’s goals and objectives.

Aim

• The aim of the Community Grants Scheme is to support the DLR Corporate Goal of “Providing quality community, recreational, sporting and cultural opportunities for all who live, work and visit the county”.

Funding Information

• Community Facilities Grants: Applications must include a 3-year development plan with their online application, outlining management structure, financial plan, sustainability of project, ensuring the project is as energy efficient as possible and a proposed programme of planned activities. Copies of relevant drawings and/or plans must be submitted with Application, if applicable:
  • Feasibility Study: The Feasibility Study Grant gives assistance to local voluntary groups/organisations for the completion of feasibility studies regarding the development of new facilities or adaptation of existing non-Council owned buildings/ facilities, and all works carried out should be as energy efficient as possible:
    • Disadvantaged Area (DA): €5,000 or 80% of the cost, whichever is the lesser
    • Non Disadvantaged Area (Non DA): €5,000 or 70% of the cost, whichever is the lesser
  • Upgrading Facilities: The Upgrading Facilities Grant allows for the refurbishment, redecoration, energy efficiency upgrades, minor structural alterations and external works to non-Council owned facilities that meet the needs of the local community and are available to the general community:
    • DA: €5,000 or 80% of the cost whichever is the lesser
    • Non DA: €5,000 or 70% of the cost whichever is the lesser
• Community Activity Grants:
  • Community Activities: The purpose of this grant is to support small projects such as community events, online community events, community week and/or community activities which contribute to the life of the community and reinforce its community identity:
    • DA: €1000 or 80% of the cost, whichever is the lesser
    • Non DA: €1000 or 70% of the cost, whichever is the lesser
    • Please note some of the following items that are not covered, however this list is not exhaustive;
      • Personal items e.g medals, uniforms
      • Perishable items e.g. food and refreshments
      • Inflatable devices
  • Summer Projects: Summer Project Grants are designed to support supervised programmes of week-long activities for young people, in person and/or on-line over a number of weeks in the summer period. Emphasis is on community involvement
  • A draft programme of activities must be submitted with Application:
    • DA and non DA:
      • 1 week: €800
      • 2 weeks: €1,600
      • 3 weeks: €2,400
  • Activities must be run on a minimum of five full days out of every seven-day period.
• Community Development Grants:
  • Start-Up Grants: Start-up Grants provide financial assistance towards initial expenses for new community groups, who have been established within the previous 6 months and who have engaged with the PPN. Copies of receipts/quotes of these expenses must be submitted with your application:
    • DA and Non DA: Up to a maximum of €800
  • Running Costs: This grant provides support to existing community groups, including Age Friendly groups, to assist them in relation to on-going running costs, such as insurance, utilities, newsletters, online meeting platform licenses etc., where no alternative funding is available:
    • DA: €1,200 or 80% of the cost whichever is the lesser
    • Non DA: €1,200 or 70% of the cost whichever is the lesser
  • Training for Community Development: The purpose of this grant is to help community groups to avail of training related to community development such as governance, digital training, integration and anti-racism, strategic planning, policy development, committee skills, leadership skills etc:
    • DA: €1,000 or 80% of the cost whichever is the lesser
    • Non DA: €1,000 or 70% of the cost whichever is the lesser
  • Community Development Initiatives: This grant is aimed at community initiatives which specifically address social inclusion, integration and anti-racism, equality proofing, digital inclusion, community surveys etc:
    • DA: €3,000 or 80% of the cost whichever is the lesser
    • Non DA: €3,000 or 70% of the cost whichever is the lesser
  • Equipment Major: The purpose of the equipment major grant is to assist groups with the purchase or replacement of large pieces of equipment. Applications may also be judged having regard to how they have a positive impact on the environment, for example, a reduction in energy consumption. Applicants can avail of this grant only once every 3 years:
    • DA: €4,000 or 80% of the cost whichever is the lesser
    • Non DA: €3,000 or 70% of the cost whichever is the lesser
  • Equipment Minor: This equipment minor grant is available for the purchase or replacement of smaller items of equipment. Applications may also be judged having regard to how they have a positive impact on the environment, for example, a reduction in energy consumption:
    • DA: €1,500 or 80% of the cost whichever is the lesser
    • Non DA: €1,500 or 70% of the cost whichever is the lesser
  • Please note: Mobile digital devices to support online service provision, such as laptops and tablets, may be considered for funding through the Community Grants Scheme.
• Age Friendly Grants: This grant is available to community groups/organisations and non-government organisations (NGOs), who wish to deliver specific supports and initiatives to enhance the quality of life of older people living in and visiting Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown.
• Applications from Active Retirement Groups and groups affiliated with the DLR Older Peoples Council, which support social inclusion and participation are welcome:
  • Funding will be restricted to projects/events which are not already covered under other grant categories. The types of initiatives that will be considered must be community based and must demonstrate complementarity with the dlr Age Friendly Strategy 2022-2026. This grant does not apply to salaries or mileage costs:
    • DA and Non DA: The maximum grant available is €10,000 or 80% of the cost of the project whichever is the lesser.

Eligibility Criteria

• Locally based community and voluntary groups/organisations
• Not for profit groups/organisations
• Groups/organisations who can demonstrate an inclusive and transparent ethos
• Groups/organisations who are working to address the issues/target groups identified in the DLR Local Economic Community Plan (LECP) 2023 – 2028
• Groups/organisations who can demonstrate a commitment to good practice in line with the Governance Code or the Charities Governance Code, including attendance at training and other requirements, as may be required from time to time
• Priority will be given to groups/organisations who have no alternative source of funding
• Applicants should be registered with, or in the process of registering with, the Public Participation Network (PPN)

Application Requirements

• A fully completed online Application Form
• A current copy of Insurance Policy indemnifying Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council
• Copy of Constitution/Memorandum of Association/Articles of Association
• Proof of registration with the Public Participation Network (PPN) (PPN Registration Number) or a copy of correspondence with the PPN
• Tax Clearance Access Number (TCAN), if registered for Tax
• Quotations for costs per item related to project/event for which funding is being sought.  For costs up to €3,000 from a single supplier, 1 written quote must be obtained. Between €3,001 and €5,000, 3 written quotes must be obtained.  In excess of €5,000, 5 written quotes must be obtained.
• Community Grants awarded are based on a percentage of the cost, to a maximum amount of 70% or 80%. An explanation is required in the online application form as to how the remaining 30% or 20% of the project/event cost will be funded by the applicant
• A 3-year development plan is required if applying for Community Facilities Grants
• A draft programme of activities must be submitted if applying for Summer Project Grants.

For more information, visit DLR.