The deadline for applications to the COVID-19 Innovate Together Philanthropy Fund is next Wednesday May 27.
The fund is aimed at supporting charities, community/voluntary organisations and social enterprises with the challenges faced by the crisis.
I launched the fund last week with a €5 million commitment from my department, the Department of Rural and Community Development, through the Dormant Accounts Fund.
Social Innovation Fund Ireland, which is administering the fund, reported more than 600 projects have already begun their applications.
WHO CAN APPLY?
The Fund is seeking applications from projects achieving impact in the following:
Enabling online education: Providing primary and post-primary school students with access to technology hardware and any other necessary supports.
Youth mental health interventions: Delivering services in new ways or offering new types of services (intervention and prevention).
Circular economy: Solutions for the efficient re-use and recycling of materials.
Improving food security: Increasing independent food production for Ireland and reducing food imports.
New ways of working remotely: Our new ways of working are here to stay, and innovations are needed to smooth the transition from office to working at home.
Community outreach: Finding new ways to reach and support vulnerable and marginalised groups.
Re-skilling our workforce: With the shift in our economy and the potential closure of businesses, there is a need for re-training and re-education of workers.
Physical health: Online medical and physical health innovations.
INNOVATE TOGETHER FUNDING ROUNDS
ROUND ONE OPEN CALL: May 13 2020 – May 27 2020
To begin an application click here to access the portal
https://webportalapp.com/sp/login/innovate_together

ROUND TWO OPEN CALL: June 2020
ROUND THREE OPEN CALL: September 2020
PHILANTHROPIC SUPPORT
The fund requires support from the philanthropic community.
To ensure as many organisations as possible can get the help they need to support those affected most by the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses and philanthropists are being asked to come together and back the unprecedented response of the charity sector to this crisis.
Whether big or small, multinational or indigenous, donations are required to build on the Government commitment of €5 million.
Medtronic Foundation, a charitable foundation funded solely by medical technology company Medtronic, has set an example for the philanthropic community through a €70,000 donation.
To support the Innovate Together Fund please contact [email protected].