In the Community
Irish Funds and our members are engaged in a wide range of community activities and charitable fundraising throughout the year.
Irish Funds Transition Year Financial Literacy Programme
Irish Funds, with the support of our member firms have developed a robust modular, experiential and interactive financial literacy programme covering financial literacy, digital finance, sustainable investing and life competencies, delivered in the classroom by industry via six weekly sessions. This was successfully piloted in 12 schools nationally in six counties in the 2022/23 academic year and in 2023/2024 was live in more schools (18), a more diverse population (across almost 600 students) and in more counties (10).
Focus Ireland – Shine A Light Night Sleep Out
Every October, Irish Funds participates in the Focus Ireland Shine a Light Night sleepout to raise awareness and vital funds to support people experiencing homelessness. A team of current and former Council members take part on the night while people across our industry get involved in many ways and donate much needed funds. Together in 2023 we surpassed our fundraising target to reach nearly €65,000 which over the last 5 years of industry fundraising brings our overall total to over €250,000, which is all thanks to very generous support across the funds and asset management industry and beyond.
Business in the Community (BITC) Time to Count and Time to Read
In 2022, we ran volunteering pilots as part of Business in the Community's (BITC) Time to Count and Time to Read Programmes. Our volunteer groups for each programme consisted of Irish Funds staff and staff from five member firms. Each week we joined 2nd and 3rd class students to practice reading or play counting games to help develop literacy and numeracy skills within local Irish primary schools. Our programme was virtual due to Covid-19 and then we were able to meet in-person with students in a final wrap session.
Trinity Centre for People with Intellectual Disabilities (TCPID)
Irish Funds is a proud advocate of The Trinity Centre for People with Intellectual Disabilities (TCPID) and has facilitated work placements within the association and encouraged participation by our member firms. A core aim of the TCPID programmes are that their graduates should have the same opportunities in life as their fellow graduates of Trinity College, including opportunities for further education, meaningful ongoing employment and the ability to contribute to their local community.