A GLOBAL philanthropic network has awarded €30,000 to two Limerick organisations through its ‘Heart of the Community Fund’ which supports a wide range of not-for-profit organisations.
The Irish Chamber Orchestra, based at the University of Limerick, and the CARI Foundation in Caherdavin are the Limerick recipients of the latest round of funding from the Ireland Funds.
In addition to its on-stage performances, the Irish Chamber Orchestra also provides free access to music lessons to children from disadvantaged communities in Limerick through its ‘Sing Out with Strings’ programmes.
This Ireland Funds grant will go towards the cost of hiring a music teacher to provide 20 small group instrumental music lessons a week to 70 children over 36 weeks in a DEIS Band 1 school.
The CARI Foundation provides therapy and support to children and families affected by child sexual abuse. The Ireland Funds grant will provide specialised therapy to children with problematic sexual behaviour who need immediate support as they may pose a risk to other children.
“‘The Heart of the Community Fund’ was launched in 2021 to support organisations striving to meet the ever-growing needs of people across the island of Ireland.
The latest round of funding will provide $1,000,000 to 74 organisations in 23 counties around the country. The grants have been distributed to organisations working under The Ireland Funds’ four pillars of Arts & Culture, Community Development, Education and Peace & Reconciliation.
The Ireland Funds executive director Siobhán Gallagher said it was their hope that the grants “will impact and enhance the lives of thousands of people, changing them for the better.”
