***IFA Charity of the Year

Overview

The Irish Football Association (Irish FA) is the National Association for football in Northern Ireland. The Irish FA receives many requests for fundraising donations and sponsorship every year and whilst the IFA acknowledges all are worthy causes, it is not feasible to accommodate all that seek help.

The IFA aims to assist charities which address issues of social inclusion (improving the quality of life of people and communities facing disadvantage, or living in or on the edge of poverty), health and well-being of children, community involvement, and education, whilst encouraging tolerance and an understanding of the beliefs of all sectors of the community.

The IFA’s aims are as follows:

• To support the work of its nominated charities through financial and in-kind support and to play an active role in achieving the aims and objectives of each organisation.
• To raise the profile and awareness of the Irish FA brand through the work of the nominated charities.

The IFA aims to select organisations that cover a good cross-section of society’s needs to help as many different causes as possible in line with its charity policy, aims and objectives.

The selection criteria the IFA requires each charity to demonstrate:

• Sound financial planning to ensure long term legacy in their programmes
• A Northern Ireland presence/office with at least one full time member of staff based in Northern Ireland.
• A fundraising presence throughout the 6 counties
• Having strong links in the community
• Programmes that promote a healthy lifestyle to the Northern Ireland community
• The ability to link with the IFA’s grassroots and community relations activities
• Having been a registered charity for more than 5 years in Northern Ireland
• That the organisation is one with which the Association can work well during the partnership. For example:
  1. Being pro-active in its approach
  2. Having clear ideas of creating an effective partnership
  3. Working with the IFA to build a mutually beneficial partnership over the term
  4. Supporting the work of the IFA
  5. Being able to work alongside the two other nominated charities that have also been chosen.

Appropriate measures of performance and outcome/output would be agreed at the outset with the appointed Charity.

Charity of the year in 2012 & 2013

Marie Curie Cancer Care

Corporate Development Manager for Marie Curie, Anne Hannan said - "The Irish FA has said their aim is to sponsor a Marie Curie nurse – this costs £19,000. So far they have raised £11,000 in 2012 and we have high hopes 2013 will get the same results. On behalf of Marie Curie I would like to thank the Irish FA for all the support, and also anyone who donated to Marie Curie in 2012, I cannot thank you enough."

Previous Charities of the Year

• Mencap, Positive Futures and The Prince’s Trust (2008, 2009 and 2010)