Regions Northern Ireland

The sectarian violence known as The Troubles deeply upset Atlantic Founder Chuck Feeney. He wanted to help find a solution to the conflict.

Atlantic’s grantmaking in Northern Ireland dates back to the early 1990s, and grew out of founder Chuck Feeney’s personal efforts to help end the political violence known as the Troubles.

The foundation’s initial grantmaking supported peace making and strengthening higher education and in later years expanded to programs focused on older adults, as well as children and youth. Atlantic’s overall goal was to cement peace by improving the lives of those most disadvantaged and to help build a more equitable society that protects rights and strengthens democracy.

To help secure gains made during its years of grantmaking, Atlantic’s final investments in Northern Ireland included a partnership with government aimed at improving dementia care, fostering shared education and transforming children’s services. Also, recognizing the deep divide that still remained in Northern Ireland—despite the progress brought about by the peace settlement of 1998—Atlantic provided support to establish the Human Rights Fund and the Social Change Initiative.