Over €50k in Funding Helps Three Irish Charities Make a Greater Impact

Three impactful Irish charities are among the recipients of this year’s ‘Movement for Good’ Partnership Funding programme, issued by Ecclesiastical Ireland proudly part of the Benefact Group, which has seen over €450,000 given to 18 charitable projects across Ireland and the UK. The Royal Irish Academy of Music (RIAM), Children’s Books Ireland, and Tiglin have been awarded over €50,000 collectively, contributing to their social impact for communities across the country.

The Movement for Good Partnership Funding provides charities with flexible funding that can be used within three years and for a blend of capital and running costs to support their projects. These large grants will help RIAM, Children’s Books Ireland, and Tiglin to make a real difference in their communities, focusing on good causes working towards the advancement of education and skills, heritage, arts and culture.

Ireland’s oldest conservatoire, The Royal Irish Academy of Music, has been awarded the grant for its Play it Forward - Expanding Music Access campaign. This initiative supports young people aged 9–14 through free instrumental tuition and access to instruments, fostering the next generation of musicians in a high-quality, inclusive learning environment.

On receiving the grant, Deborah Kelleher, Director of RIAM said: “Here in the Royal Irish Academy of Music we live in music and believe that music is for everyone - regardless of their background, ability, age, or gender. This Movement for Good grant will allow us to develop a new programme that addresses a need to open access to high-performance music education for young people from socially and economically disadvantaged communities building on a belief that talent exists everywhere, but that opportunity may not”.

Children’s Books Ireland, the national charity and arts organisation that champions every child’s right to develop a love of reading, will receive funding for their ‘Every Child A Reader’ book-gifting programme, which aims to deliver books to over 1,100 students across the country.

Elaina Ryan, CEO of Children’s Books Ireland said: “At Children’s Books Ireland, we work to share the joy of reading with all children and young people, regardless of their backgrounds. Through Movement for Good, we will deliver our Every Child a Reader programme in three disadvantaged schools in Ireland. This programme is expertly designed and implemented to enable positive, sustainable changes in primary school communities. Reading changes lives, and we are so grateful to the Benefact Group for bringing us a step closer to our vision: every child a reader.”

Nature-based recovery charity, Tiglin, received the funding to aid their relaunch and expansion of its successful Wilderness Therapy programme — a personal development initiative for individuals affected by addiction, homelessness, and social exclusion. The programme combines outdoor immersion, environmental education, creative expression, and wellbeing practices such as guided breathwork to promote healing, confidence, and lasting recovery.

Upon receiving their funding, Phil Thompson, CEO of Tiglin said: “Tiglin works with individuals who have battled addiction, many of whom have experienced immense loss, homelessness, and hardship. Once accepted onto our 16-month residential rehabilitation programme, participants engage in recovery and life skills modules designed to help them rebuild their lives, heal from trauma, and develop resilience for life beyond addiction. We are deeply grateful to the Benefact Group for providing the funding that will allow us to deliver Tiglin’s Wilderness Therapy for Recovery and Resilience.”

Speaking on the Movement for Good Partnership Funding programme, David Lane, Managing Director of Ecclesiastical Ireland proudly part of the Benefact Group, said: “We are delighted to support three outstanding Irish charities through our Movement for Good Partnership Funding initiative. At Ecclesiastical Ireland, proudly part of the Benefact Group, we are committed to making a positive difference by giving back to the communities we serve. The work of the Royal Irish Academy of Music, Children’s Books Ireland, and Tiglin demonstrates the powerful role charities play in enriching lives through education, culture, and social support. We are proud that these grants will help them continue to expand opportunities and create lasting impact across Ireland.”

Nominations for the final Special Draw of 2025 can be made at culture.movementforgood.com. Ten charities will be chosen at random to win €5,000. Winners will be announced on 24 October.

For general information on Movement for Good and to enter the remaining €1,000 draws for the year visit movementforgood.com