Our Partnership with the Irish Government
The Irish Government plays a vital role in supporting philanthropy and social innovation across the country.
At Rethink Ireland, we are proud to partner with government through a range of strategic collaborations that drive meaningful, long-term social impact. In recent years, we have been selected for multiple government programmes, further reinforcing Rethink Ireland’s role in strengthening and advancing the social innovation and philanthropy sector across Ireland.
Collaboration Across the Years
Rethink Ireland was initially created by the Government of Ireland to support non-profit organisations working to address some of the country’s most pressing social and environmental challenges in communities nationwide. At a time when philanthropy in Ireland was under significant strain following the recession, the need for new, innovative funding models was clear.
Established in 2013 as Social Innovation Fund Ireland (which would later be renamed Rethink Ireland), we were supported by an initial €250,000 challenge donation from the Government. By 2016, when Rethink Ireland became fully operational, the Government, through what is now the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht via the Dormant Accounts Fund, committed to matching funds raised. This marked the beginning of a strong, long-term partnership that continues to drive social innovation and impact across Ireland.
Over the years, we have also collaborated with the Department of Social Protection, the Department of Children, Disability and Equality and the HSE.
National Philanthropy Policy
Ireland’s first National Philanthropy Policy was launched by former Minister of State Joe O’Brien on 13 December 2023. Rethink Ireland wholeheartedly welcomed the policy, and we were proud to have served on several of the advisory committees that led to its formation.
The purpose of the policy is to deepen understanding and knowledge, create an enabling environment and accelerate engagement with philanthropy in Ireland for social good. It sets out a series of 21 actions across these objectives for the development of philanthropy over 2024-2028.
The Policy focuses on 5 key objectives:
- Communication and Awareness Raising
- Data and Research
- Stimulating and Incentivising Philanthropy
- Government and Sectoral Partnership
- Capacity Building
Rethink Ireland are actively involved in the implementation of the Philanthropy Policy. Our CEO, Deirdre Mortell, is a member of the implementation monitoring group, and several key team members are contributing to the subgroups. We are very proud to have partnered with the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht over the last 10 years to stimulate philanthropy in the social innovation sector.
Scaling impact through match funding
Today, our match funding primarily comes from the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, which matches philanthropic donations through the Dormant Accounts Fund. They are currently supporting funds like the Empower Tech Futures Fund, Brighter Futures Fund and the Connected Communities Fund.
We continue to strengthen our partnerships with other government departments to drive positive social impact. Since 2022, the Department of Children, Disability and Equality has contributed €13.5 million to fund the Disability Participation and Awareness Funds. The HSE also provided €1.5 million for the three-year HeadStart Fund, launched in 2023, matching the contribution from the Z Zurich Foundation to support innovative mental health resources for young people.
With support from the Department of Rural and Community Development’s social enterprise unit, Rethink Ireland and Community Finance Ireland manage the Hybrid Social Finance Loan, helping social enterprises grow and thrive.
Through these partnerships, Rethink Ireland continues to support the best social innovations, helping them grow and maximise their impact across Ireland. Together with government, philanthropic partners, and social innovators, we are working to create meaningful, lasting change in communities nationwide.
Interested in partnering with Rethink Ireland? Learn more and get in contact with our Business Development Team today.
Interested in partnering with Rethink Ireland? Learn more and get in contact with our Business Development Team today.
New Solutions Social Innovation Hub
In November 2025, Minister Jerry Buttimer officially launched the New Solutions Social Innovation Hub. This initiative is supported by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht and the European Social Fund (ESF+).
This has long been a shared vision to strengthen the social innovation ecosystem in Ireland. We’re thrilled to be part of this initiative, which we hope will become a one-stop shop for social innovation in Ireland.
At Rethink Ireland, we are proud to be leading the consortium for this initiative in partnership with Dublin City University, the Local Development Companies Network, Údarás na Gaeltachta, the Western Development Commission and The Wheel. With the combined expertise of this consortium, we look forward to seeing the impact it will have on Ireland’s social innovation sector. Our consortium is excited to be working with Pobal in this initiative.
