Clann Credo is an Irish community development and social finance lending organisation with a national remit. 3 It was established in 1996, with Sr Magdalen Fogarty and the Presentation Sisters associated with its foundation. 511
The organisation provides loan finance to community and voluntary organisations, charities, social enterprises and amateur sports clubs. 6 Its lending supports projects including community facilities, sports and recreation infrastructure, social housing, social services, arts facilities, community tourism, enterprise centres and environmental sustainability initiatives. 6 Clann Credo offers several forms of finance, including bridging loans, match-funding loans, capital-equipment loans, working-capital loans and property loans. 6
Its lending model is intended for community-based organisations that may have difficulty obtaining finance from mainstream banks. 12 In addition to lending, Clann Credo provides advice to community groups, social enterprises and charities undertaking projects with social impact. 13 The organisation lends across Ireland, including all 26 counties, and does not lend to individuals or private companies. 14
According to its 2022 annual report, Clann Credo had provided almost €194 million in loans to more than 2,200 community groups since its inception. 3 The same report records 298 loan offers worth more than €35.1 million during 2022, with €22 million in loan disbursals that year. 3
Clann Credo’s headquarters are at the Irish Social Finance Centre in Inchicore, Dublin. 36 Mary Lawlor is identified as its chief executive. 1415 The organisation is registered as a charity and operates as a not-for-profit lender. 613