Clann Credo – is hosting an information seminar on Financing Community Growth – Loans, Grants, Fundraising at the Beepark Resource Centre on Monday the 9th of May from 7-9pm.

Clann Credo is Ireland’s leading provider of community loans to voluntary groups, charities, social enterprises and amateur sports clubs. Clann Credo is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, and to mark this milestone a series of community events will take place across the country. Since 1996, Clann Credo has invested over €85 million in community organisations throughout Ireland.

The seminar will provide information for community organisations on all aspects of funding– loans, grants and fundraising. The development of any community initiative will involve at least one if not all of these. Speakers will share their expertise in these areas and describe how finance can be used to develop your community project. It will be of interest to all community organisations including local development groups, community councils, community centres, sports clubs and social enterprises. In particular it will be of interest to groups who are thinking about applying for grant aid under the forthcoming LEADER Programme. Sports clubs who hope to apply for grant aid under the next Sports Capital Programme will also benefit.

The speakers on the evening will include Tracey Hannon Social Finance Executive for Clann Credo in the Western region, who will discuss community loan finance and how it can assist communities in getting projects up and running. Tracey will also demonstrate the importance of community loan finance in supporting the development of sustainable communities. Brian Smyth, Assistant CEO of Leitrim Development Company, will discuss Grant Funding for Community Development with particular reference to the new LEADER Programme. He will also outline how communities can bring their projects from ideas to a reality. Cathryn O’Leary- Community relations manager with North West Hospice, Sligo who has extensive knowledge of the fundraising sector will describe how a community organisation can develop an effective fundraising and sponsorship strategy.

Gerry Creamer, Manager of the Beepark Resource Centre will describe the centre’s journey and how it has grown and developed, including the benefits and social impact it has generated for the community. Bee Park Resource Centre was formed in 1998, to promote and develop the economic and cultural welfare of the local community. There are now 30 people employed in the building which is home to a number of social services, sports activities and provides meeting rooms and a hall for community activities and events.

The seminar is free and open to all members of the community to attend. To register your attendance please go to http://clanncredobeepark.eventbrite.ie

Phone: 01 400 2100 Email: info@clanncredo.ie.

ENDS

For more information on Clann Credo and community loan finance.

Visit www.clanncredo.ie or phone Lisa Moran – Communications and Marketing Manager on 01 400 2100 / Mobile 083 1520062.

The Seminar is free and open to all members of the community to attend and will be held:

Beepark Resource Centre

Monday 9th May

7-9pm

To register for the event email: http://clanncredobeepark.eventbrite.ie

Phone: 01 400 2100 Email: info@clanncredo.ie

Notes:

*Clann Credo:

Since it was established in 1996, Clann Credo has pioneered the concept of social finance in Ireland.

Clann Credo – Community Loan Finance provides affordable loan finance to community organisation that enrich the lives of many thousands of Irish people. It is Irelands leading provider of community loans to voluntary groups, charities, social enterprises and amateur sports clubs. Community loans are provided on affordable terms to any community organisations that may have difficulty accessing mainstream finance. To date Clann Credo has invested almost €85m in over 500 community and voluntary organisations throughout Ireland.

All capital lent to community organisations comes from private sources, socially minded investors and the retail banking sector through the Social Finance Foundation (SFF). The finance provided is in the form of bridging loans, term loans, and working capital depending on the needs of the community organisation.

Clann Credo - Community Loan Finance, lends to any community organisations that generate a social return and can demonstrate capacity to repay a loan.