Carlow arts and community groups urged to apply for Ireland Funds grant scheme

Arts and culture organisations in Carlow are being encouraged to apply for a share of at least €430,000 in funding now available through The Ireland Funds' Heart of the Community Fund.

Applications for the Arts and Culture grant round opened on Monday 14 September and will close at 5pm on Friday 2 October 2026. The Ireland Funds, a global philanthropic network, said the funding is aimed at non-profit organisations meeting local needs and strengthening communities across the country.

Grants of between €5,000 and €25,000 will be awarded through the open call. Applications are welcome from arts and culture organisations working to promote, preserve and develop all art forms, as well as community organisations seeking support for community-based arts programmes or projects.

Arts and culture organisations can apply for core funding to support their ongoing activities and operations. Community organisations applying for arts-based programmes must show how the funding will be used, with all expenditure tied directly to the programme or project for which support is sought.

All applications must be submitted through The Ireland Funds website, and both in-person and online information workshops will run during the application period.

The grant round comes as The Ireland Funds marks its 50th anniversary, celebrating five decades of philanthropy and partnership. Arts and Culture is one of the organisation’s four key funding priorities.

Caitriona Fottrell, president and CEO of The Ireland Funds, said the organisation is committed to expanding access to the arts, supporting creative practice and protecting Ireland’s cultural heritage. She said arts organisations and community groups enrich lives, strengthen identity and bring people together while responding to local needs.

This is the second Heart of the Community Fund round in 2026. Earlier in the year, €858,000 in grants was awarded to organisations across 21 counties in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, supporting education, innovation, youth development, disability services, literacy, community resilience and social inclusion.

Further information, application guidelines and access to the application portal are available at 

https://irelandfunds.org/grants/.