In January The Community Foundation for Ireland announced the launch of its Older Persons’ Fund. The fund opened for applications on 3^rd of February and intends to continue the foundation’s good work and its long standing support for older people within in their communities.  The foundation was set up in 2000 and since then the Foundation has invested over €1m in the sector.

The Older Persons’ Fund has been set up with an initial investment of €3m provided by The Community Foundation (€1m) and The Atlantic Philanthropies (€2m). The Fund will operate as a ring fenced endowment which on current rates of return would generate approximately €200,000 per annum in grant support. CFI is targeting an additional €1m to be raised and allocated to the fund between now and 2018, as well as ongoing fund development in the longer term.

By the year 2041 it is expected that in Ireland those over the age of 65 will make up a total of 22% of the population. Currently that figure stands at 11%. The Older Persons’ Fund aims to be prepared for this changing demographic in Ireland and intends to construct a long term sustainable fund that will support older peoples’ views at a local and national level and their ability to be fully involved  in all aspects of society in Ireland. The Fund plans to support locally initiated projects promoting older people’s involvement in…

·         Advocacy by older people themselves on issues that affect their welfare or on issues that they care about;

·         Promotion of older people’s participation as active citizens in their communities and their inclusion in civic life;

·         Any activity that addresses older people’s social exclusion, for example loneliness and isolation, where increased civic participation is a planned outcome.

If you wish to find out more information about The Community Foundation for Ireland and its new initiative for those over 65, information can be found at www.foundation.ie