The Brighter Futures Fund is a three-year fund aimed at improving mental health and wellbeing for marginalised groups in Ireland. We invite applications from projects and organisations that proactively identify mental health challenges within marginalised communities, enabling early intervention that can prevent the escalation of these issues. This fund is created by Rethink Ireland in partnership with an anonymous donor and the Department of Rural and Community Development via the Dormant Accounts Fund.

Brighter Futures Fund will support organisations representing a diverse range of vulnerable groups in Ireland dedicated to addressing mental health and wellbeing disparities. These may include groups such as LGBTQI+, Traveller, Roma, migrant, or refugee communities and other vulnerable groups.

Whilst this fund aims to support projects and organisations focusing on early intervention, we understand that such a timely intervention is not always possible. Therefore, the projects/organisations who apply for the Brighter Futures Fund can be working across the full spectrum of mental health initiatives, including early interventions, wellbeing and resilience programmes, confidence-building supports, and/or initiatives for fighting depression/social anxiety/loneliness/stress etc. This is not an exhaustive list. We want to back organisations who will equip marginalised communities with the skills they need to improve and maintain their mental health and wellbeing over time.

The Fund offers a package of cash grants and non-financial supports to the value of €1.9 million for up to six projects to help them expand and increase their social impact.

This includes:

• Up to six awards of up to €285,000 (up to €95,000 per year for three years)
• The  non-financial supports include:
  • a place on Rethink Ireland’s Accelerator Programme
  • bespoke business and capacity-building supports designed in consultation with successful projects on topics such as strategic planning, maximising your impact, communications, storytelling and fundraising
• Access to Rethink Ireland’s networks

* The Rethink Ireland Board will decide how much money to award, which may be less than the amount requested. The final award amount will depend on how many organisations are selected.

You can apply to the Brighter Futures Fund via the online portal until Monday, 24 March 2025. 

Want more information? Join one of our application clinics on Wednesday, 19 February, or Wednesday, 5 March. These one-hour webinars provide more details on fund eligibility and the application process and an opportunity to answer any questions. Register for an application clinic here:

• Wednesday, 19 February at 2 pm – REGISTER
• Wednesday, 5 March at 11 am – REGISTER

For any questions you may have, please contact [email protected].

Form more information, please visit: Brighter Futures Fund 2025-2028 – Rethink Ireland