The RTÉ Toy Show Appeal Grant Programme (Ireland)

The RTÉ Toy Show Appeal 2026, administered by Community Foundation Ireland, funds children and family charities across Ireland to support projects that enhance health, wellbeing, creativity, and equal opportunities. Grants range from €10,000 to €50,000, with additional Transformative Grants available for organisations aiming to scale up initiatives and strengthen long-term impact.

Program Overview

The RTÉ Toy Show Appeal 2026 supports charities delivering projects that benefit children aged 0–18 and their families, particularly those who are vulnerable, marginalised, or living with additional needs. The program aims to create equal opportunities and thriving communities throughout Ireland by funding initiatives that align with one of the three thematic strands:

• Addressing Essential Needs – Projects that meet basic needs such as food, clothing, housing, and support services

• Improving Health and Wellbeing – Initiatives that enhance physical, mental, and social wellbeing

• Creativity and Play – Programs fostering creative development, learning, and social engagement through play

Objectives and Priorities

The program emphasizes:

• Supporting children and family charities with a focus on vulnerable or marginalised groups

• Funding projects that demonstrate measurable impact within their thematic strand

• Promoting sustainable change by building organisational capacity and enabling long-term community benefits

• Ensuring alignment with child safeguarding and governance standards

Grant Types and Amounts

Community Grant Round

• For charities with annual income between €20,000 and €500,000

• Grants range from €10,000 to €20,000

• Designed to support projects at local or regional levels

Impact Grant Round

• For charities with annual income over €500,000

• Grants range from €20,000 to €50,000

• Supports projects at regional or national scale

Transformative Grants

• Available to select applicants from the Impact Grant Round

• Supports scaling up of initiatives and building organisational capacity

• Awarded through an Expression of Interest (EOI) process

Who Is Eligible?

Eligible organisations must:

• Be registered with the Charities Regulator in Ireland

• Have a minimum annual income of €20,000

• Maintain up-to-date governing documents, annual accounts, and child safeguarding policies

• Regularly work with vulnerable or marginalised children and their families, including those experiencing:

  • Poverty or discrimination

  • Disability or additional needs

  • Life-limiting conditions

  • Trauma, abuse, or exploitation

How to Apply

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

• Verify registration with the Charities Regulator

• Ensure annual income meets minimum thresholds

• Confirm governing documents, safeguarding policies, and annual accounts are current

Step 2: Select Appropriate Grant Round

• Community Grant Round: income €20,000–€500,000

• Impact Grant Round: income over €500,000

• Consider Transformative Grants for scaling up (EOI required)

Step 3: Align Project with Thematic Strand

• Identify one of the three strands: Essential Needs, Health & Wellbeing, or Creativity & Play

• Define specific outcomes your project will achieve

Step 4: Prepare Application

• Provide clear project objectives, methodology, and expected impact

• Include budget, timeline, and evidence of organisational capacity

• Demonstrate how the project aligns with the funding criteria

Step 5: Submit Application

• Follow grant round instructions precisely

• Ensure compliance with all eligibility and priority requirements

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Applying outside of the specified grant rounds or eligibility criteria

• Failing to clearly define outcomes aligned with a thematic strand

• Omitting safeguarding policies or current governing documents

• Submitting incomplete budgets or lacking evidence of organisational capacity

• Ignoring the need to demonstrate measurable impact

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Which charities are eligible to apply?

Child and family charities registered with the Charities Regulator with a minimum annual income of €20,000.

2. What are the grant amounts?

Community Grants: €10,000–€20,000; Impact Grants: €20,000–€50,000; Transformative Grants vary.

3. Can projects focus on specific children’s needs?

Yes. Projects supporting vulnerable or marginalised children, including those with disabilities or experiencing trauma, are eligible.

4. Are governance and safeguarding requirements mandatory?

Yes. Up-to-date governing documents and child safeguarding policies are required.

5. Can a charity apply for multiple grants?

Applicants may apply for only one grant per round, aligned with their income bracket.

6. How are Transformative Grants awarded?

Through an Expression of Interest (EOI) process, typically for scaling up Impact Grant Round projects.

7. What types of outcomes are expected?

Projects must demonstrate measurable improvements in essential needs, health and wellbeing, or creativity and play for children and families.

Conclusion

The RTÉ Toy Show Appeal 2026 empowers children and family charities to deliver impactful projects that address essential needs, health, wellbeing, and creative development. By offering structured funding through Community, Impact, and Transformative Grants, the program strengthens local and national initiatives, fosters equal opportunities, and promotes thriving communities across Ireland.