Rethink Ireland has today announced the recipients of its Ignite Midwest Fund. Seven innovative not-for-profit organisations in the Midwest region are to receive cash grants to the value of between €55,000 and €75,000.

Rethink Ireland provides financial and strategic support to charities and social enterprises working in Irish communities across the country. The Ignite Midwest Fund has been created to specifically support organisations in the counties of Clare, Limerick and Tipperary working to tackle poverty, social exclusion, and inequality.

Some of the organisations who will receive funding include:

• The Sanctuary Runners was established in Cork in February 2018 by former feature writer and broadcaster Graham Clifford. This project uses running, jogging, and walking to bring together asylum seekers and refugees with those in the local community in Clare, Limerick, and Tipperary.
• The Saoirse Addiction Treatment Centre addresses the issue of drug, alcohol, and gambling addiction for adults 18 years and over in Clare, Limerick, and Tipperary. This is offered through an outpatient treatment model providing harm reduction and recovery programmes, family programmes and individualised addiction counselling. This confidential service is provided free of charge.
• The National Concert Hall’s Health and Harmony programme addresses the increased isolation and quality of life challenges that people living with dementia across the region experience. The highly trained musicians visit dementia day and respite care centres twice per month over a 10-month period to perform popular tunes and invite participants to sing along, dance or just sit back with a cup of tea and enjoy the music.

Commenting today (12.08.21), Business Development and Political Engagement Manager, Pádraic Vallely, said: “We are delighted to announce funding for seven innovative not-for-profit organisations who are doing excellent work in communities across the Midwest region. This funding will support these organisations, strengthen their impact and reach more people in Clare, Limerick, and Tipperary.

“The Ignite Midwest Fund is designed to support community groups, charities and social enterprises in the region who are tackling poverty and inequalities. Across Clare, Limerick, and Tipperary, not-for-profit organisations play a key role in empowering communities by providing vital services and supports. This has been highlighted during the Covid-19 pandemic, where these organisations have been at the coalface supporting some of our most vulnerable citizens.

“We look forward to seeing the positive impact the Ignite Midwest Fund will have on the region by supporting seven fantastic not-for-profit organisations.”

Also commenting today (12.08.21), Ralph Parkes from the Parkes Family Limerick and Clare, said: “The Parkes Family Limerick and Clare are delighted to be one of the Ignite Midwest Fund founders and donors. We believe the Fund will have a lasting impact on the Midwest region and it will be truly transformational for the Awardees. We are delighted to support this fund, and we believe in the power of philanthropy and community. Social enterprise and charity work shows us all what is being done to make the Midwest region a better place to live and work.”

Rethink Ireland would also like to issue a call to action for more donors in the Midwest region to get involved in a future offering of the Fund. To find out more about how you can partner with Rethink Ireland to make a sustained difference for communities in the Midwest region, get in touch with the Business Development Team today at businessdevelopment@rethinkireland.ie.

The Ignite Midwest Fund has been created in partnership with several private donors from the region including the Parkes Family Limerick, the Community Foundation for Ireland, and is matched by the Department of Rural and Community Development via the Dormant Accounts Fund.