About Us
Turning bold ideas into lasting impact
For over 10 years, we’ve been Rethinking Ireland, working towards a society that is more just, equal and sustainable for everyone.
As Ireland’s Social Innovation Fund, we back bold ideas and innovative solutions to social and environmental challenges. We believe that the people closest to a problem are often best placed to solve it, and we support changemakers across Ireland to create lasting impact in their communities. Social change is a team sport, which is why we work in partnership with government, companies, foundations, families and individuals. Together, we have reached more than 1.5 million people across Ireland in just a decade.
innovations backed
people directly supported
investment secured
Our vision
Our vision is an Ireland which is more just, equal and sustainable because of social innovation.
Our mission
Our mission is to support the best social innovations so that they can grow and maximise their impact across Ireland.
Our values
- We work with our hearts and our heads – we value compassion, passion and fun.
- We take smart risks and we allow permission to fail because we know that innovation and risk are two sides of the same coin.
- We believe that social change is a team sport – we use influence and engagement to build trusted relationships, and we choose to collaborate to achieve our goals.
- We demonstrate curiosity and a hunger to learn.
- We value bold ideas and bold leadership, and we develop remarkable people.
What We Do
We identify nonprofits and social enterprises making an impact in communities across Ireland, and back them to go further. Through funds created with our partners, we give bold ideas the funding, support and connections they need to grow, turning local solutions into national impact.
One of the strengths of our model is that it brings together philanthropy and matched funding from the Irish government. This enables donors to amplify the impact of their contribution, unlocking greater investment in innovative solutions and helping more organisations create lasting change in their communities.
We work from a venture philanthropy model, which means that we provide cash grants along with tailored business supports, connections and expertise. This helps the organisations we support come out stronger and more sustainable on the other side of our funds.
What is social innovation?
Social innovation is about finding new and better ways to address social and environmental challenges. It involves testing, developing and scaling new, innovative ideas that improve outcomes for people and communities. At Rethink Ireland, we support organisations with bold ideas that have the potential to drive lasting change.
Our Impact
When Rethink Ireland, then Social Innovation Fund Ireland, was established in 2016, our ambition was to raise €5 million to support social innovation in Ireland. Today, we have grown into a €144 million social innovation fund, backing innovative organisations in every county across Ireland and supporting more than 1.5 million people.
Learn more about our impact from the last 10 years here.
Our Journey
What started as a bold idea to unlock new support for social innovation in the recession has grown into a powerful catalyst for change. Hear from founding CEO Deirdre Mortell on how Rethink Ireland came to be, and the vision that continues to drive our work today.
Our Team
We are a hybrid working organisation with a passionate and dedicated team of more than 50 people based across the country, all united by a shared vision of a more just, equal and sustainable Ireland.
Our Partners
We believe that social change is a team sport. That’s why we collaborate with government, companies, foundations, families and individuals who share our belief that lasting change requires new thinking and innovative solutions. Meet our partners here.
Impact in Action
Our work is measured in numbers, but its true impact is reflected in the lives of the people we support. One of those people is Abi, who found an alternative path to education through our awardee iScoil.
Impact Stories
