The Older Persons’ Fund is a long-term philanthropic fund which promotes the civic engagement of older people, as a means of working towards making a difference in their communities.
The Fund builds on our long-standing engagement and commitment to supporting older people in their communities. We have invested over €1m in this area to date.
This year we have the following two categories that you may apply for a grant under:
Inclusion of older people in active citizenship roles – Grants of up to €7,500 will be available to organisations working towards inclusion of older people in active citizenship roles
Supporting older peoples’ voices at local & national level – Grants of up to €7,500 will available to organisations working towards supporting older peoples’ engagement in advocacy.
Our Grants and Donor Services Executive, Adele McNamara, talks through the Older Persons' Fund for 2018, how to make a strong application and what common mistakes to look out for.#
How to apply
Download the criteria
here
Download the online application for Inclusion of older people in active citizenship roles
here
Download the online application for Supporting older peoples’ voices at local & national level
here
Contact Us
If you are unsure about any of the above, or have any other queries, please contact the grants team on (0)1 874 7354 or e-mail info@foundation.ie
Deadline
The deadline for applications will be strictly 4.30 p.m on Thursday 14th March 2019.
Why The Older Persons’ Fund?
It is estimated that by 2041, people aged over 65 will account for 22% of the population in Ireland, compared to some 19% today.
The Older Persons' Fund seeks to realise the benefits of this changing demographic by building a long-term sustainable fund to support older people’s voices at a local and national level and their capacity to engage fully in all strands of society. In line with this goal, the mission of The Older Persons’ Fund will be to support strategic community based and national activities promoting Older People as Active Citizens and Advocates – including influencing policy, community decision-making processes, leadership, negotiation and other ways to give greater “voice” to Older People.
The Older Persons’ Fund has been set up with an initial investment of €3m provided by us (€1m) and The Atlantic Philanthropies (€2m). We are targeting an additional €1m to be raised and allocated to the fund between now and 2018, as well as on-going fund development in the longer term.
The Fund will initially support projects in the area of civic engagement which:
Support older people’s ‘voice’ at a local and national level, and their capacity to engage in all strands of society.
Promote older people’s participation as active citizens in their communities and their inclusion in civic life.
In the longer term, the Fund will also support activities that address older people’s social exclusion, for example loneliness and isolation, where increased civic participation is a planned outcome.
To see some of the impacts from The Older Person's Fund
click here.