1. Community Finance Ireland - A Community Investor’s Perspective on
Bridging Grant Aid

2. Ulster Community Investment Trust Organisational Structure
UCIT Membership: Individuals and Organisations – Shareholders from across the Island
UCIT Group Board of Voluntary Directors
UCIT (Ireland) Ltd – t/a Community Finance Ireland – Board of Voluntary Directors
UCIT (NI)
UCI plc

3. Community Finance Ireland Loans
Accredited Lending Organisation for the Social Finance Foundation (€100m Fund)
NetWORKS – Cross Border/Cross Community
First Irish/UK member of the European Network for Ethical Banks and Alternative Investors (FEBEA.org)
Term – Max 15 years
Bridging - Generally 12/18 months
Amount – Min €30,000 - Max €500,000
No arrangement fees
No penalties for early redemption or Lump Sum Payments
Repayments made monthly
Conventional Lending Rate Equivalent – 6%

4. Community Finance Ireland
2017 – 2018
Distributed €10m to Organisations in RoI
2004 – 2008 Border Region Business Support Programme
2008 – 2013 One Employee, focus on Border Region
2013 – 2018 Additional Lending and Admin Staff, National Offering
Ulster Community Investment Trust
Ulster Community Investment Trust
Community Finance Ireland
Accredited Social Lending Organisation with the SFF

5. What the Investor is Looking For
Term / Bridging Loans -
Ideally Shovel Ready
Letters of Grant Offer
Authority to Borrow / Directors or Trustees
Quality of the Board
Reputation and Credibility
Good Communication
Organisation Structure
Detailed Projections /Underlying Assumptions
Level of Social Impact

6. Suggestions to Prospective Investees
Qualify your Team
Tie Down the level of Market Demand
Learn from the Mistakes of Others
Realise Hard Cash v Sweat Equity and what if any part it plays in the Investment Proposition
Exhaust all Avenues for Grant Assistance first!
Followed by Non-Interest Bearing Debt / Soft Loans
Then Compare the Price of Funds and associated T&Cs

7. Community Finance (Ireland) Application Process
Client Relationship Executives
Facilitate Enquiry and direct to
Communityfinance.ie for Application if appropriate.
Accept Application and Meet with Client to develop Proposal further
Assess Credit based on Repayment Capacity, EBITDA Record, Skill set, Equity Contributions and Value of Security where appropriate
Approval in Principle (>300k) within 48 hours.
Up to €200k/10 years, full approval within 72 hours
Release Offer to Client
Community Finance (Ireland) Application Process

8. Donal Traynor, Associate Director Community Finance (Ireland)
@ComfinanceIRL