Social Entrepreneurs in Northern Ireland invited to submit applications for funding.Guinness & Co. and Social Entrepreneurs Ireland has announced that the Arthur Guinness Fund is active, and both organisations are calling on social entrepreneurs all over Ireland to submit funding applications before the closing date on Saturday 31st October 2009.
Arthur Guinness and his family were responsible for some of the most well known acts of philanthropy throughout Ireland and to honour and continue this legacy, Guinness established the fund earlier this year, as of the Guinness 250th celebrations.
Monies from the Arthur Guinness Fund will be awarded to up to 25 social entrepreneurs throughout Ireland over a two-year period. It will seek to identify, support and empower social entrepreneurs who have projects and initiatives that are innovative, impactful and sustainable, and make a real difference to Irish society. Successful applicants will benefit from financial support (up to €100,000 per project) and practical support and advice. In addition, successful applicants will benefit from access to Social Entrepreneur Ireland's Alumni Network.
Speaking today, Peter O' Brien, Corporate Relations Director, Diageo Ireland said:
"As well as being a visionary businessman Arthur Guinness understood the importance of supporting and developing communities. He chose to invest his skills, energy and good fortune in activities that helped many people and many communities - from improving conditions for the poor in Dublin to donating the Iveagh Gardens and St. Stephen's Green to the state. The establishment of the Arthur Guinness Fund is our way of ensuring that our founders' social philanthropy is celebrated and continued in a truly unique way".
Speaking on behalf of Social Entrepreneurs Ireland, Annalisa O'Carroll, Communications Director commented:
"The Arthur Guinness Fund marks a significant milestone in the growth and development of social entrepreneurship in Ireland. Guinness & Co. has shown great vision in recognising the impact social entrepreneurs have in making innovative contributions to the social fabric of society, and Social Entrepreneurs Ireland is delighted to be working with Guinness & Co. on such an inspiring project.
Up to €2.5 million will be donated to the Arthur Guinness Fund by Guinness & Co in Ireland (€6 million worldwide) from the monies raised through the Guinness signature campaign during 2009. For every signature, up to one million, received in pubs and bars around Ireland, Guinness & Co is donating €2.50 to the Arthur Guinness Fund. Since the campaign was launched last May over 850,000 people have lent their support to the fund by signing their names beside Arthur Guinness's signature.
All details regarding the application process are available on www.guinness.com, along with a full list of selection criteria and application guidelines.