RTÉ Toy Show Appeal Community Grants in Ireland

Deadline: 10-Mar-23

The Community Foundation Ireland has launched its RTÉ Toy Show Appeal Community Grant program.

The RTÉ Toy Show Appeal mission is: Inspired by children, the Foundation works to bring the magic of the Late Late Toy Show to every child in Ireland. By funding essential support, health, wellbeing, play and creativity the foundation aims to change children’s lives for good. In the wake of the cost-of-living crisis, increased number of refugees from Ukraine and elsewhere in the world, and the climate crisis, the RTÉ Toy Show Appeal is more important than ever.

Themes

Children and family focussed charities working at local, regional and national level can apply for a grant under one of the following thematic pillars:

Community Grants Strand 1: Addressing Essential Needs
- Under the Addressing Essential Needs Strand, grants of €5,000 to €25,000 are available to eligible organisations that can demonstrate the impact of their work at local and community level.
  - Grants within this Strand of funding will be made to ensure that the most vulnerable children are safe, warm and fed. In light of the cost-of-living crisis, fuel poverty and the increased numbers of refugees, proposals in this Strand should improve living conditions and outcomes of children at risk in the short and longer term by providing holistic and practical supports. OR
  - Grants within the Strand will also be made to ensure that the most marginalised and disadvantaged children are properly supported in addressing educational needs. The benefits of education on breaking the cycle of inter-generational poverty have been proven on many occasions, so proposals in this Strand should support children in their educational journey that will improve outcomes later in life.
Community Grants Strand 2: Improving Wellbeing
- Under the Improving Health & Wellbeing Strand, grants of €5,000 to €25,000 are available to eligible organisations that can demonstrate the impact of their work at local and community level.
  - Grants within this Strand of funding will be made to ensure that children and young people have access to suitable mental and physical health services and have the opportunity to build resilience and self-esteem. Covid-19, the cost-of-living crisis and the climate crisis are putting additional pressure on the wellbeing of children and young people. Proposals in this Strand should improve the physical, mental and emotional health of children and young people by upscaling and establishing new services. OR
  - Grants within the Strand will also be made to ensure that children and young people with disabilities and those with life-limiting illnesses have access to high quality services and support. Ill health is difficult at any point in life, but it can have significant and long-term impacts in childhood in terms of educational outcomes and emotional wellbeing. Proposals in this Strand should increase the quality of life for children with disabilities and serious health conditions.
Community Grants Strand 3: Creativity and Play
- Under the Creativity and Play Strand, grants of €5,000 to €25,000 are available to eligible organisations that can demonstrate the impact of their work at local and community level.
  - Grants within this Strand of funding will be made to ensure that the most marginalised and disadvantaged children and young people have access to the arts and creativity. The benefits of children’s engagement in arts and creativity have long been recognised, especially as a way to reduce inequality and improve social and economic outcomes. Proposals in this Strand should enhance personal and emotional development by ensuring that all children have the opportunity to benefit from the arts. OR
  - Grants within the Strand will also be made to ensure that the most marginalised and disadvantaged children and young people have access to programmes and spaces for play and extra-curricular activities. Play is essential to supporting children’s development of cognitive and social behaviours and activities often offer a safe space for young people. Proposals in this Strand should enable children and young people to access programmes and spaces for play and socialising.

Funding Information

Charities can apply for funds between €5,000 and €25,000 which should be spent down by June 2024. Budgets must be detailed and realistic.
Charities can apply to one of the Strands only.
For organisations with branch networks, where the branches fall under the one constitution, the application must be submitted by the head office of the organisation.

Eligible Projects

Must support disadvantaged or vulnerable children from 0-18 years old. This includes:

Socially and economically disadvantaged children o Children with disabilities.
Children with severe long-term illnesses.
Children who have suffered trauma or grief.
Children who are suffering with behavioural or psychological difficulties.
Children who are facing discrimination.
May be an impactful current programme that will be developed or upscaled with the funding.
May be to continue a project funded in last year’s RTÉ Toy Show grant round, however, funding must still be spent by the end of June 2024.
May include staff and capital costs where specifically related to the proposed project.
Must support children and young people at a local and/or national level.
Must start no earlier than June 2023 and run until the end of June 2024.

Eligibility Criteria

Be a child or family focused charity working at local and/or national level that works regularly with children and young people.
Be registered with the Charities Regulator.
Have an annual income of less than €500,000.
Have up to date and sufficient governing documents, annual accounts and child safeguarding policies.

For more information, visit Community Foundation Ireland.