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Rethink Ireland seeks ‘risk capital’ for youth mental health services

Deirdre Mortell, chief executive of the non-profit, says there is a difference between what philanthropic money and government money can do

Philanthropy is essentially risk capital, according to Deirdre Mortell of Rethink Ireland. The non-profit organisation was previously known as Social Innovation Fund Ireland. It oversees the Headstart Fund, which recently received a €1.5 million donation from the Z Zurich Foundation. Picture: John Allen

A newly-founded fund dedicated to providing youth mental health services is hoping to attract donations from Irish-based multinationals looking to bolster their community and social responsibility (CSR) credentials.

Rethink Ireland is a non-profit organisation that was previously known as Social Innovation Fund Ireland. It oversees the Headstart Fund, which recently received a €1.5 million donation from the Z Zurich Foundation, a charitable organisation founded by Zurich Ireland, the insurance firm.

Deirdre Mortell, chief executive of Rethink Ireland, told the Business Post that funds like Headstart have the freedom to support more innovative, modern and occasionally experimental approaches to social and societal issues. They can, she said, be thought of as a philanthropic version of risk capital.