Health and Wellbeing Growth Fund 2023

We invite applications from organisations tackling health and wellbeing issues in Ireland and who have been previously supported by Rethink Ireland and meet the criteria listed below.

Eligibility & Criteria

Projects must meet both Rethink Ireland’s criteria and the specific criteria for the Health and Wellbeing Growth Fund, as set out below:

Rethink Ireland’s Core Criteria

• The project must address a critical social issue 
• The project proposed must be innovative in an Irish context
• The project must be based on the island of Ireland and must make its main impact in the Republic of Ireland
• The project must have potential and a desire to scale or replicate in Ireland (it may also have potential internationally, but this is not a requirement)
• The project must provide evidence that it is up and running, or has been tested at least in a minimal way
• Applicants must come from an entity that has a not-for-profit legal form, eg: 
  • A company limited by guarantee 
  • A co-operative 
  • A charity 
  • And other not-for-profit legal forms

To apply for the Growth Fund, organisations must:

• be working toward enhancing positive outcomes in mental health and overall wellbeing (including physical wellbeing) for their beneficiaries
• have graduated from a Rethink Ireland programme or be in the final year of a Rethink Ireland multi-year programme
• have received a single Rethink Ireland Ireland cash grant of at least €50,000 
• aim to secure funding of a minimum €150,000 – maximum €200,000 per annum for 3 years

Growth Fund Advantageous Criteria 

In addition to meeting the above criteria above, it is an advantage if your project/organisation is progressing Equality issues in Ireland and/ or tackling the Green Transition in Ireland. Specifically, it would be an advantage if your project/organisation is working in one of the following areas: 

1. Projects that are strengthening the equality landscape in Ireland through their activities/interventions, empowering/supporting marginalised communities and building civic power in Ireland. 
2. Green Transition: Projects that have a positive effect on Ireland’s Green Transition through their activities/interventions.

Rethink Ireland will provide match funds to multi-year fundraising targets raised (€150,000-€200,000 per annum for 3 years) to provide:

• cash grants
• business supports budget
• an assigned team to support scale and impact targets.

Applications to this Fund are now closed.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us via email: growthhealthandwellbeing@rethinkireland.ie

We have tried to make the application process as accessible as possible, but we understand that there may still be some difficulties for applicants.

If you have access needs or are struggling with the application form, please contact: growthhealthandwellbeing@rethinkireland.ie

What happens after we submit our application?

1. The selection team will review the applications. 
2. If you are successful in the review process, we will invite your project leader to an interview. 
3. The interviews will take place in June 2023.
4. The selection team may do further checks or site visits. 
5. If you are successful, we will notify you in June 2023.

What happens if our organisation is successful?

From July – October, our Business Development Team will support you to fundraise your proposed multi-year fundraising target. If you successfully reach your target, we will then progress to the contracting phase and invite you to take part in a Capacity Building Programme which runs from January 2024 to December 2026. This programme will include:

• mentoring
• supporting your organisation to manage its impact 
• communications training
• access to Rethink Ireland’s expertise and networks

We will expect your project leader to devote at least two days a month to the programme.

What can we spend the grant on?

You may only spend the grant on the growth of your organisation and Health and Wellbeing programme/intervention. Rethink Ireland will agree on the specific use of the grant with you. Please note: you cannot use the grant to pay off debts or buy land, buildings or equipment.

Who will decide who wins the awards?

The Board of Rethink Ireland will make the final decision.

What is the selection process?

• Stage 1: Call for applications (11 May – 26 May 2023)
• Stage 2: Selection process (June 2023)
• Stage 3: Interviews & Grantmaking Committee approval (June/July 2023)
• Stage 4: Business Development Team support (July – October 2023)
• Stage 5: Final decision by Rethink Ireland’s Board (November 2023)

How can we find out where we are in the selection process?

We will inform applicants by telephone or email.

Interviews and Feedback

• If we invite you to the next round of the application process, we will ask you to attend an interview. The project leader or project representative must attend this interview. 
• If selected for an interview, we will share the information you have provided with the judges.
• The Rethink Ireland Grantmaking Committee will confirm the winning applications. They will decide based on the recommendations from the panel of judges. The Grantmaking Committee decision will be final.
• The Growth Fund Manager may offer general verbal feedback to unsuccessful applicants who have reached the interview stage.

By applying for the Growth Fund, you agree with the following:

• You are 18 years of age or older.
• You have given full and truthful information, both verbal and written, at all stages of the application and selection process.
• You are eligible to apply. This means that your organisation meets the criteria for Rethink Ireland and the Growth Fund, as described earlier.
• You have the right to apply. This means that you hold the necessary rights to carry out the project.
• If you are successful you must take part in publicity about the grant. Rethink Ireland reserves the right to publish the names of organisations that are successful in their applications.
• By sending in your application, you accept these terms and conditions and our Privacy Statement. If you do not comply with these terms and conditions, you may be disqualified and may have to return any award granted.
• Rethink Ireland will hold the personal details which you submitted with your application form. We will only share this information with the third parties administering the application and selection process unless we agree otherwise with you. Please see our Privacy Statement for full details.
• If you decline an award or if the award is taken back because you did not comply with the terms and conditions, the Directors may select an alternative Awardee.
• Rethink Ireland reserves the right to disqualify any entrant, to change the terms and conditions without notice, or to cancel the application process at any stage.
• Where relevant, applicant organisations must be fully compliant with guidelines, regulations and legislation applicable to their project, for instance, Children First guidelines and child protection regulations.
• Proposed applicants cannot participate in two Rethink Ireland programmes concurrently from January 2024 onwards.