Cliona's Foundation

What Cliona's Foundation does

Cliona's Foundation is an Irish registered charity (Charity No. 20068899, CHY18127) founded in 2007 and headquartered in Limerick, operating with approximately 10 employees. Its stated mission is to provide direct financial support — delivered as cheques and grants — to families across Ireland who are facing financial crisis while caring for a seriously sick child, with funds specifically aimed at the non-medical costs of care. The organization is positioned as Ireland's only charity focused exclusively on this niche, and it holds Triple Lock certification from the Charities Institute Ireland covering governance, fundraising, and transparency standards.

The foundation generates revenue through four streams: individual and public donations, branded merchandise sales (greeting cards, trolley coins, beanies, backpacks, books, cycling apparel, a Christmas EP, and a Ford Focus 2023 ST Line car raffle) sold via its own e-commerce storefront at clionas.ie/shop, fundraising events (5km fun runs, Camino walks, Irish Life Dublin Marathon teams, Cork Lunch, Gala Balls), and corporate giving partnerships (notably Bluebird Care Ireland and a Zeus 5-year sponsorship package). All merchandise proceeds are directed back to the foundation's family-support mission.

Operationally, Cliona's leverages community-led go-to-market: a School Engagement Programme, volunteer networks, a New York Committee for diaspora engagement, and broad social media presence (Facebook, Twitter/X, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, podcasts). It publishes an annual Impact Report (most recently the 2025 edition) and produces documentary-style content ('Ireland's Forgotten Families') to support donor acquisition and brand storytelling. Its go-to-market is fundamentally community-driven rather than technology-driven, with no disclosed AI, proprietary technology stack, or automation capabilities beyond standard e-commerce functionality.

Name

Cliona's Foundation

Legal name

Cliona's Foundation

Website

https://clionas.ie

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Cliona's Foundation is an Irish registered charity providing direct financial grants to families in financial crisis while caring for a seriously sick child, funded through donations, merchandise sales, events, and corporate partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Charitable Family Support Services

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cash & Voucher Assistance (CVA) and Emergency Livelihood Support (BPAGAAAJ), Community Health & Prevention Program Funding (HLAJALAF)

Keywords

• Family financial support
• Charity fundraising events
• Children's health charity
• Nonprofit merchandise sales
• Community philanthropy programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Limerick

HQ country

Ireland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Others, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Primary revenue stream from individual donors, corporate supporters, and general public making financial contributions to support families of seriously sick children.
2. Merchandise Sales: Sale of branded merchandise including greeting cards, Christmas cards, trolley coins, beanies, backpacks, books, and cycling apparel. All proceeds go directly to Cliona's Foundation. E-commerce storefront operated via the organization's website.
3. Fundraising Events: Revenue generated from participant fees and fundraising associated with events such as the Annual 5km Fun Run, Camino for Cliona's trips, Irish Life Dublin Marathon, Cork Lunch, and Gala Balls.
4. Corporate Giving and Sponsorships: Financial and in-kind support from corporate partners including Bluebird Care Ireland and Zeus (5-year package). Includes school engagement programmes and business supporters initiatives.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Cliona's Foundation is an Irish registered charity that provides direct financial support (cheques and grants) to families across Ireland who are dealing with a financial crisis while caring for a seriously sick child. The foundation funds these grants through individual donations, corporate sponsorships, community fundraising events (5km fun runs, Camino walks, gala balls, marathon teams), school engagement programmes, and proceeds from a branded merchandise e-commerce store.

Product overview

Cliona's Foundation is an Irish charity that provides financial support to families dealing with a financial crisis while caring for a seriously sick child. The organization operates an e-commerce store selling branded merchandise including trolley coins, greeting cards, clothing, accessories, books, music, and fundraising items. The product portfolio consists of various merchandise items (greeting cards, apparel, accessories, books, music) sold to raise funds, with all proceeds directly supporting the foundation's mission to help families with non-medical costs of caring for sick children.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Financial Support Grants for Families Direct financial grants/cheques provided to families across Ireland who face a financial crisis while caring for a seriously sick child. The grants help cover significant non-medical costs and enable families to focus on caring for their child rather than worrying about money.
• Cliona's Trolley Coin Multi-euro key-chain trolley token priced at €3.00 so customers never get caught when doing the shopping. Sold as branded merchandise with all proceeds going directly to Cliona's Foundation.
• Greeting Cards Pack of 12 A6 greeting cards with 4 different greetings, blank inside, includes envelopes and branded envelope sealer. Priced at €10.00 per pack, all proceeds go to Cliona's Foundation.
• Christmas Greeting Cards Pack of 12 Christmas greeting cards with 3 different designs, 14cm x 14cm, including envelopes. Priced at €7.00 per pack, all proceeds go to Cliona's Foundation.
• Pin Badge 2-piece butterfly-shaped aluminum pin badge that can be worn on lapel, tie, jacket or scarf. Priced at €5.00 per unit, all proceeds go to Cliona's Foundation.
• Cliona's Backpack Lightweight drawstring backpack ideal for gym or walking. Priced at €10.00 per unit, all proceeds go to Cliona's Foundation.
• Multi-purpose Neck Warmer Multi-purpose accessory usable as neck scarf, face protector, under a cycle helmet or as bandana. Made from 100% polyester. Priced at €10.00 per unit, all proceeds go to Cliona's Foundation.
• Cycling Summer Shoe Covers Aerodynamic and comfortable cycling shoe covers with flexible printed lycra and zipper on the back. Available in L (43-48) and XL (46-48). All proceeds go to Cliona's Foundation.
• Window Cycle Jersey Miniature cycling jersey for car, office or home window display to show support for Cliona's. Priced at €10.00 per unit, all proceeds go to Cliona's Foundation.
• Frankly My Dear - Christmas EP Curated selection of heart-warming festive melodies performed by Helen O'Dwyer. Priced at €5.99 per unit, all proceeds go directly to Cliona's Foundation.
• The Dolls Complaints Book Humorous story by Keeva Delaney about 13 of Melissa's dolls writing letters while she was in hospital, colorfully illustrated by Ann. Priced at €4.00 per unit, all proceeds go to Cliona's Foundation.
• Branded Technical T Shirts Ranglan short sleeve 100% polyester piqué t-shirts, 150 gsm, designed for workouts providing maximum comfort for leisure and active wear. Available in S/M/L/XL/XXL sizes, all proceeds go to Cliona's Foundation.
• Yarns, Lies, Half Truths & Other Stories Book available for purchase through the Cliona's Foundation shop, with all proceeds going to support the foundation's mission.
• Ford Focus 2023 ST Line Car Raffle Car raffle for a brand new Ford Focus 2023 ST Line to raise funds for Cliona's Foundation, providing supporters a chance to win a vehicle while contributing to the charity.

Quantifiable outcome

• Families in crisis receive financial support that enables them to focus on caring for their sick child rather than worrying about money

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Bluebird Care IrelandcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBluebird Care Ireland has partnered with Cliona's Foundation as a corporate supporter. Bluebird Care provides home care services and their partnership with Cliona's aligns their brand with the charity's mission of supporting families of seriously sick children.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Irish Cancer Society: Ireland's largest cancer charity, providing financial, emotional, and practical supports to cancer patients and families. Competes for the same discretionary giving pool, with overlap in supporting families facing non-medical costs of serious illness.
• St. John of God Hospitaller Ministries: Established Irish religious charity providing services to children and adults with disabilities and complex needs. Comparable Irish non-profit governance (Triple Lock-style standards) and community fundraising approach.
• Family Carers Ireland: National Irish charity supporting family carers, including those caring for children with serious illnesses. Adjacent mission with overlapping beneficiary families and similar community-led fundraising channels.
• Children's Health Foundation: Ireland's main children's hospital charity (CHI at Crumlin, Temple Street, Tallaght), funding critical care, research, and family supports. Directly competes for the same Irish donor pool interested in sick children, but at much greater scale and broader remit.

Direct peers

• Barretstown: Irish children's charity running therapeutic camps and programmes for children with serious illnesses. Comparable niche (seriously sick children), similar Irish community fundraising model, and comparable scale and headcount.
• Make-A-Wish Ireland: Irish arm of an international children's charity granting wishes to children with critical illnesses. Competes for the same Irish donor demographic and family-of-seriously-sick-children narrative.
• Childhood Cancer Foundation Ireland: Irish parent-led charity supporting families of children with cancer. Directly comparable mission, Irish community fundraising model, and beneficiary overlap with families facing non-medical costs of serious childhood illness.
• Jack & Jill Children's Foundation: Irish charity providing home-respite and direct support to families of seriously sick children with neurodevelopmental issues. Closely comparable mission, family-centric funding model, and Irish community fundraising approach.
• Ronald McDonald House Charities Ireland: Supports families of seriously ill children by providing accommodation and non-medical support near hospitals in Ireland. Direct overlap with Cliona's mission of funding non-medical costs (lodging, meals, travel) for families of sick children.

Regional players

• Tommy Murphy Memorial Fund / CARI Foundation: Irish charity providing support to families affected by child sexual abuse. Comparable Irish non-profit structure, community fundraising model, and small-team operating footprint, though distinct cause area.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ClionasFDN
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/clionasfoundation
• Facebookfacebook.com/clionasfoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cliona's-foundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/clionasfoundation

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cliona's Foundation