Rethink Ireland: A Call for Innovation in a Changing World

Rethink Ireland is a national organization that supports innovative charities, social enterprises, and community organizations with cash grants and business supports. Its mission is to make Ireland a more just, equal, and sustainable place to live. Rethink Ireland was previously known as Social Innovation Fund Ireland and has been operating since 2013.

Rethink Ireland has had a significant impact on the Irish community, providing support to over 100 organizations and investing €70 million in social innovation. Its initiatives have helped to tackle issues such as homelessness, education inequality, and domestic violence. The organization has also played a crucial role in responding to the Covid-19 pandemic, providing emergency funding to support charities and non-profit organizations.

Rethink Ireland has been involved in various health initiatives, including the Innovate Together Fund, which aims to support innovative solutions to address the challenges faced by the health sector. The organization has also been promoting sustainability and community outreach and collaboration. It has partnered with various organizations to support social enterprises and promote equality and inclusion. Rethink Ireland’s role in education has been significant, and it has supported various initiatives to improve access to education and tackle educational inequality.

Key Takeaways

• Rethink Ireland supports innovative charities, social enterprises, and community organizations with cash grants and business supports.
• The organization has invested €70 million in social innovation and has played a significant role in responding to the Covid-19 pandemic.
• Rethink Ireland has been involved in various health initiatives, promoting sustainability, community outreach and collaboration, and has played a crucial role in education.

Rethink Ireland: An Overview

Rethink Ireland is a national organisation that supports non-profit organisations in Ireland. It was formerly known as Social Innovation Fund Ireland and is committed to making Ireland a more just, equal and sustainable place to live.

The organisation was established to support innovative charities, social enterprises, and community organisations with cash grants and business supports. Rethink Ireland identifies and backs Ireland’s most innovative non-profit organisations, helping them to maximise their impact on society.

Rethink Ireland is a registered charity and operates under the registration number 20108014. It is headquartered in Dublin and has an office in Galway. The organisation is funded by the Irish Government and philanthropic organisations.

Rethink Ireland’s mission is to create a more equal and sustainable Ireland by supporting innovative solutions to social and environmental challenges. The organisation’s focus is to find and support innovative non-profit organisations that are working to create positive social change.

Rethink Ireland’s work is guided by a manifesto for Ireland 2030, which outlines the organisation’s vision for a more sustainable and just Ireland. The manifesto calls for a human economy that prioritises people and the planet over GDP growth.

Overall, Rethink Ireland is an important organisation in Ireland’s non-profit sector, supporting innovative solutions to social and environmental challenges. Its work is guided by a vision for a more sustainable and just Ireland, and it is committed to supporting non-profit organisations that are working towards this vision.

Impact of Rethink Ireland

Rethink Ireland is a non-profit organization that supports innovative non-profit organizations working in communities across Ireland. Over the years, Rethink Ireland has had a positive impact on society, communities, and families in Ireland.

Through its various programs and initiatives, Rethink Ireland has helped to build resilience in communities across the country. For example, the Freedom From Fear Fund was created in partnership with the National Women’s Council of Ireland to support victims of gender-based violence. The fund provides financial support to organizations working to prevent and respond to gender-based violence, and has had a significant impact on the lives of many people in Ireland.

Rethink Ireland’s impact is also evident in its support for education initiatives. In 2021 alone, its awardees supported over 1,000 people to achieve a QQI qualification, including 127 leaving certificates and 181 junior certificates. This has had a positive impact on the lives of these individuals, and has helped to build stronger and more resilient communities across Ireland.

Overall, Rethink Ireland’s positive impact on Irish society cannot be overstated. Its support for innovative non-profit organizations has helped to build resilience in communities across the country, and has had a positive impact on the lives of countless individuals and families.

Role in Education

Rethink Ireland is an organization that seeks and supports socially innovative solutions that offer equal opportunities to education for all citizens. The organization recognizes the interconnected or intersectional nature of race, socio-economic status, gender, and health and their relationship to discrimination and disadvantage.

Rethink Ireland’s Education Fund is one of its initiatives that provides funding to not-for-profit organizations working to improve equal access to education and promote economic empowerment. The fund has supported several projects that are focused on enhancing access to education for young people experiencing educational disadvantage based on their cultural identity or geographical location.

In 2021, Rethink Ireland’s Awardees supported 1,008 people to achieve a QQI qualification, including 127 leaving certificates and 181 junior certificates. The organization’s Equity in Education Fund for 2022-2025 aims to continue supporting not-for-profit organizations working to enhance access to education for young people experiencing educational disadvantage.

Rethink Ireland’s role in education is not limited to funding initiatives. The organization also conducts research and evaluations to identify trends in relation to educational inequality in Ireland. For instance, the Education Fund Evaluation Results report provides an overview of the Education Fund, its awardees, and how the fund relates to the National Framework of Qualifications.

In addition, Rethink Ireland’s Gamechanger Dialogue is central to the Education Fund. The dialogue brings together leaders and stakeholders in the education sector to discuss and develop innovative solutions that address educational inequality in Ireland.

Overall, Rethink Ireland plays a crucial role in promoting equal access to education and economic empowerment in Ireland. Its Education Fund and other initiatives have supported several innovative projects that have made a significant impact on young people experiencing educational disadvantage.

Support for Social Enterprises

Rethink Ireland is committed to supporting social enterprises in Ireland. Social enterprises are businesses that aim to achieve a social or environmental impact, rather than solely focusing on profit. Through its various funds and programmes, Rethink Ireland provides social enterprises with the necessary business supports to help them grow and create positive social change.

One of the main ways that Rethink Ireland supports social enterprises is through its Social Enterprise Development Fund. This €3.2 million fund, which runs from 2018 to 2022, is delivered in partnership with Local Authorities Ireland and is funded by IPB Insurance and the Department of Rural and Community Development through the Dormant Accounts Fund. The fund provides cash grants and business supports to social enterprises, enabling them to develop and maximise their impact.

In addition to the Social Enterprise Development Fund, Rethink Ireland also runs the Social Enterprise Step-Up Fund. This €700,000 two-year fund, created in partnership with Tomar Trust and the Department of Rural and Community Development via the Dormant Accounts Fund, provides support to social enterprises that are at a critical juncture in their development. The fund provides strategic support and helps social enterprises to scale and create employment opportunities.

Rethink Ireland also offers the INSPIRE Social Enterprise Course, which supports potential social innovators with developing their ideas and gives them the tools to start putting their social enterprises into action. The course supports a new generation of social enterprises to deliver social impact, create jobs and tackle societal challenges.

Through its various funds and programmes, Rethink Ireland is helping to build a thriving social enterprise sector in Ireland. By providing social enterprises with the necessary business supports, Rethink Ireland is enabling them to create positive social change and make a real difference in their communities.

Rethink Ireland and Philanthropy

Rethink Ireland is a philanthropic organization that provides cash grants and business support to social innovations in Ireland. The organization’s venture philanthropy model enables social innovations to develop and maximize their impact. Rethink Ireland supports groups and donors who think differently and act decisively on their ideas to build a more equal, just, and sustainable Ireland.

Rethink Ireland’s National Philanthropy Policy, which was developed in consultation with the public, aims to promote a culture of giving, encourage collaboration and partnerships, focus on targeted social issues, support capacity building, and more. This policy will help shape philanthropy over the next few years in Ireland and further advance Rethink Ireland’s mission.

Foundations, individuals, and companies can all support Rethink Ireland’s work by donating to the organization. Rethink Ireland’s Innovate Together Fund, which focuses on supporting emerging innovations that address current and long-term social, economic, and environmental challenges, is also open for applications.

Rethink Ireland collaborates with other organizations, such as Genio Trust, to establish a National Competence Centre for Social Innovation in Ireland. This project, which is funded by the European Union, aims to improve the social innovation ecosystem in Ireland and support the development of social innovation initiatives.

In summary, Rethink Ireland is a philanthropic organization that supports social innovations in Ireland through cash grants and business support. The organization’s National Philanthropy Policy aims to promote a culture of giving and advance its mission. Foundations, individuals, and companies can support Rethink Ireland’s work, and the organization collaborates with other entities to improve the social innovation ecosystem in Ireland.

Grants and Funding

Rethink Ireland is a philanthropic organisation committed to supporting social innovations that are making a positive impact on society. The organisation offers a range of grants and funding opportunities to help these innovations grow and maximise their impact.

One of the key funding opportunities offered by Rethink Ireland is cash grants. These grants are designed to provide financial support to social innovations that are working to address some of the most pressing social and environmental issues in Ireland. The cash grants are typically accompanied by business supports, which are designed to help the social innovations improve their investment readiness.

Rethink Ireland also manages a number of funds that are specifically designed to support social innovations. For example, the organisation manages the Dormant Accounts Fund, which is a fund that is made up of unclaimed bank accounts and other financial assets. This fund is used to support social innovations that are working to address issues such as poverty, social exclusion, and environmental sustainability.

Another fund managed by Rethink Ireland is the Social Innovation Fund Ireland. This fund is designed to support social innovations that are working to address some of the most pressing social issues in Ireland. The fund provides cash grants and business supports to help these innovations grow and maximise their impact.

In addition to these funds, Rethink Ireland also manages the Innovate Together Fund. This fund is designed to support social innovations that are working to address the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The fund provides cash grants and business supports to help these innovations adapt and respond to the changing needs of society.

Overall, Rethink Ireland offers a range of grants and funding opportunities to support social innovations that are making a positive impact on society. These grants and funding opportunities are designed to provide financial support and business supports to help these innovations grow and maximise their impact.

Health Initiatives

Rethink Ireland has invested over €17 million in health since 2016, supporting 109 innovations in this area and helping to reach over 116,000 people. The organization aims to support 50,000 people over the next three years to improve their physical and mental health.

The Health and Wellbeing Growth Fund 2023 is currently accepting applications until May 26, 2023. The Growth Fund seeks to support proven social innovations to achieve widespread impact and transformative change in Ireland. Applications to the Growth Fund are open to existing Rethink Ireland Awardees that meet the criteria listed on the website.

One of the initiatives that Rethink Ireland supports is The HeadStart Fund, which is open for applications until 2026. The HeadStart Fund aims to support projects and organizations that work across the full spectrum of mental health initiatives, including early interventions, well-being and resilience programmes, confidence-building supports, initiatives for fighting depression, social anxiety, loneliness, and stress.

Rethink Ireland believes that a team effort is more effective than working alone. The organization supports the most innovative non-profit organizations working in communities across the country.

As part of Rethink Ireland’s commitment to full transparency, all reports, including annual reports and accounts, can be found on their website for review. If you have any questions or queries, please email Rethink Ireland at [email protected]

Overall, Rethink Ireland’s focus on health initiatives highlights the importance of improving physical and mental health in Ireland. By supporting proven social innovations and promoting teamwork, Rethink Ireland aims to make a significant impact on the health and well-being of the Irish community.

Response to Covid-19

Rethink Ireland has been actively responding to the Covid-19 pandemic since its onset. The organization recognizes that the pandemic has exposed the cracks and fissures in society, and has presented opportunities for creative solutions to the social, economic, and environmental problems that beset Ireland today.

Rethink Ireland’s Covid-19 response is centred around its mission to support innovative solutions to societal challenges. The organization has allocated significant funding to support social enterprises and charities that have been impacted by the pandemic. The Covid-19 Response Fund is one such initiative that has provided funding to organizations that are working on the front lines of the pandemic, delivering essential services to vulnerable communities.

Rethink Ireland’s Covid-19 response has also included the provision of expert advice and guidance to organizations that are struggling to adapt to the new reality of the pandemic. The organization has worked closely with its partners to identify the most pressing needs of the communities they serve, and has provided support to help them pivot their operations to meet those needs.

In addition to its direct response to the pandemic, Rethink Ireland has also been working to address the root causes of the crisis. The organization recognizes that the pandemic has highlighted the importance of building a more resilient and sustainable society, and has been working to support initiatives that promote social, economic, and environmental sustainability.

Overall, Rethink Ireland’s response to the Covid-19 crisis has been comprehensive and impactful. The organization has demonstrated its commitment to supporting innovative solutions to societal challenges, and has worked tirelessly to support the most vulnerable members of society during this difficult time.

Support for Charities and Non-Profit Organisations

Rethink Ireland is committed to supporting innovative charities and non-profit organisations across Ireland. They offer a range of supports to help these organisations achieve their goals and create a more just, equal, and sustainable society.

One of the key ways that Rethink Ireland supports charities and non-profit organisations is through cash grants. These grants are designed to provide funding for innovative projects and initiatives that have the potential to create real change in communities across Ireland. In addition to cash grants, Rethink Ireland also provides a range of non-financial supports to help charities and non-profit organisations achieve their goals. These supports include mentorship, training, and networking opportunities.

Rethink Ireland’s support for charities and non-profit organisations is not limited to a specific sector or area of focus. Instead, they work with organisations across a range of different fields, including education, health, social justice, and the environment. This approach allows them to support a diverse range of innovative charities and non-profit organisations that are working to create positive change in their communities.

Overall, Rethink Ireland’s commitment to supporting innovative charities and non-profit organisations is an important part of their mission to create a more just, equal, and sustainable society in Ireland. Through their cash grants and non-financial supports, they are helping to empower these organisations to achieve their goals and make a real difference in the lives of people across Ireland.

Promoting Equality and Inclusion

Rethink Ireland is an organisation that is dedicated to promoting equality and inclusion in Ireland. They recognise that certain groups in society are marginalised and often face significant barriers to accessing opportunities and services. Rethink Ireland works to address these inequalities by supporting innovative non-profit organisations that are working to create a more just and equal society.

One of the key areas that Rethink Ireland focuses on is promoting inclusion for people with Down Syndrome. They recognise that people with Down Syndrome often face significant barriers to accessing education, employment, and other opportunities. Rethink Ireland supports a number of organisations that are working to create more inclusive environments for people with Down Syndrome, including providing training and support for employers and educators.

Rethink Ireland also recognises the importance of promoting equality for all marginalised groups in society. They support a wide range of organisations that are working to address issues such as poverty, homelessness, and social exclusion. By supporting these organisations, Rethink Ireland is helping to create a more equal and inclusive society for everyone.

Overall, Rethink Ireland is playing an important role in promoting equality and inclusion in Ireland. By supporting innovative non-profit organisations, they are helping to create a more just and equal society for all.

Community Outreach and Collaboration

Rethink Ireland is committed to working with community organisations and groups to create a more just, equal, and sustainable society. The organisation’s community outreach and collaboration efforts are aimed at developing innovative solutions to social and environmental challenges that affect communities across Ireland.

Rethink Ireland’s community outreach initiatives involve working with local communities to identify key issues and challenges, and developing solutions that are tailored to meet their specific needs. The organisation works with a range of community groups, including charities, non-profits, and social enterprises, to build capacity and support the development of sustainable solutions.

Collaboration is at the heart of Rethink Ireland’s approach to community outreach. The organisation works closely with its partners to develop innovative solutions that can be scaled up and replicated across communities. Rethink Ireland also collaborates with other organisations and stakeholders in the social innovation space to share knowledge and best practices, and to build a stronger, more connected, and more resilient social innovation ecosystem in Ireland.

Rethink Ireland’s community outreach and collaboration efforts are underpinned by a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. The organisation recognises that different communities have different needs and experiences, and works to ensure that its initiatives are accessible and inclusive for all. Rethink Ireland also works to promote diversity and inclusion within the social innovation sector, and to support the development of a more diverse and representative leadership in the sector.

Overall, Rethink Ireland’s community outreach and collaboration efforts are an important part of its mission to create a more just, equal, and sustainable society. By working with communities and organisations across Ireland, the organisation is helping to build a more resilient and innovative social sector that can meet the challenges of the future.