The Reconciliation Fund awards grants to organisations working to build better relations within and between traditions in Northern Ireland, between North and South, and between Ireland and Britain. The Reconciliation Fund operates two main funding rounds each year (in spring and autumn) for 12-month grants. A Strategic Partnerships stream for 3-year funding was also launched in summer 2021.
Autumn 2022 Funding Round (for 12-month funding)
The autumn funding round will open on Tuesday 6 September 2022 at 11am. The round will remain open for 2 weeks, closing on Tuesday 20 September 2022 at 12pm.
Applications may be made only through the online grant application portal.
NOTE: Any application submitted before the opening time of 11am on the opening day of an annual funding round will be regarded as invalid and will not be accepted.
What I can apply for
In the general spring and autumn funding rounds, grants are awarded for a 12-month period and can cover the direct cost of Project activities, Core Operational costs, or Capital costs.
Support for Project activities can cover a range of costs e.g. venue hire, catering, preparation of resources/materials, facilitation fees, travel costs for participants, etc.
Applications for project funding may also include a request for support for Core Operational costs, such as salaries and overheads, and Capital costs, where they are directly attributable to the project or programme for which funding is sought e.g. where salary costs are incurred for the purpose of managing/coordinating/administering the project or rent/heat/light/phone charges etc. are incurred in order to deliver it.
We will also accept stand-alone applications for either Core Operational or Capital costs where they are not directly attributable to a particular project. In those cases, it should be clearly demonstrated in the application form that a primary focus of the organisation’s work (and of the costs in question) is to further the work of peacebuilding and reconciliation in line with the objectives of the Reconciliation Fund Strategy.
We do not generally give grants for events/activities that have already taken place, or for travel off the island of Ireland. However, in certain circumstances, we will consider supporting the cost of travel to and from Britain, where such travel is deemed essential for the successful implementation of the project.
Online application system
For those considering applying in an annual funding round, a user guide will be available to assist with using our online application system. This guide includes details of the questions which applicants are required to complete during the registration and application stages of the process.
Applicants are recommended to consult the user guide before starting to use the online system and to have it to hand as they complete the online application process, step by step.
A list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) is also available to assist applicants.
Additional Documentation required with online applications
Please note that certain documents must be uploaded along with the online application, as follows:
- Applicant organisation’s Most Recent Annual Accounts
- All applicants are required to provide a copy of their organisation’s most recent annual final accounts/financial statements, or (if your organisation is newly formed), a declaration of no income/expenditure signed by the Treasurer and another Board or Committee member (on headed official paper if available), along with evidence of a bank account, e.g. copies of a bank statement.
- Tax Clearance Certificate for the organisation
- If you are applying for a grant of €10,000 or more (or if your funding request, combined with any Reconciliation Fund grants already approved for your organisation within the current calendar year, amount to €10,000 or more) you are required to provide a valid Tax Clearance Certificate. A Tax Clearance Certificate is issued by the Irish Revenue Commissioners and is required to process a payment from any Irish Government Department, regardless of where in the world the payee is located. Obtaining a resident or non-resident tax clearance certificate is a very straightforward process which can be completed by email. Details on how to obtain a Tax Clearance Certificate can be found online through the Revenue Commissioners’ website. The Revenue Commissioners will issue a tax clearance certificate, and it is this certificate which should be submitted with your online funding application.
Application Check List
Before beginning your application to the Reconciliation Fund, it is important to check that you have the following (where applicable) to hand:
- The organisation’s most recent annual accounts/financial statements (for further information, see above).
- If you are applying for a grant of €10,000 or more, a Tax clearance certificate (for further information see above).
- The names and job titles of members of the organisation’s board.
- Details in relation to your organisation – its aims, objectives, governance arrangements, the background of those who participate in and avail of its programmes, financial information including a strategy for financial sustainability.
- A well laid out and detailed project plan that meets the aims set out in the Reconciliation Fund Strategy document and explicitly states how it will fulfil these aims.
- A detailed Project Budget that accounts for all money requested in the application, corresponds with the details laid out in the Project Activities section of the application and demonstrates clearly how and on what that money would be spent.
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