Vincent Wall speaks with Declan (Dec) Ryan about giving, risk, mental health, social enterprise and what he has learned from more than two decades of philanthropy.

When did philanthropy begin to take shape for you?

There were a couple of things. When Ryanair took off, it made me realise how much cash we had. I knew my family didn't need that much, and I wanted my kids to learn from it as well. I don't believe in lecturing people about philanthropy, but I do think it rubs off on them. There was also an experience when I was in boarding school. Through Meals on Wheels, we painted houses and kept people company. I remember visiting one family and seeing they were perfectly happy with their simple and generous life. That was a real eye-opener. I think the Irish are generous.

Why did you establish the One Foundation in 2004 using a venture philanthropy and spend-down model?

That was probably the best decision. I got Deirdre Mortell and five other people together and we took a business approach: do it for ten years, have a lot of money to spend down, and do it efficiently. Normally an investment was over three years, with clear expectations and metrics. A huge influence on us was Chuck Feeney. He was an amazing businessman and really cared about issues. We worked closely with his team and would sometimes make smaller investments first, to test an organisation and see whether it could deliver.

How did you choose the areas you wanted to support?

Jigsaw is probably one of my favourite stories. We were looking at a big investment to establish five pilot centres when John Healy challenged us: were we stepping into the role of Government in a way that could leave services without sustainable funding? He was right to ask the question. But sometimes you have to have a go. At the time, the gap in mental health services was enormous. We looked at the numbers and concluded that if you wanted to make a real difference, youth mental health was a critical place to start. The investment was a risk, but sometimes you have to take risks to create something that can become sustainable.

You have been open about your own experience of depression. Did that influence your interest in mental health?

For sure. I have no problem talking about it. I have a place in the west of Ireland and I remember asking people about services. It could take six months to get an appointment with a psychiatrist. Six months when you're low is an awfully long time, so yes, it is close to the heart. One of our objectives was also to get the language of depression and mental health into the media. People don't run away from those words anymore, and that matters.

Another area you focused on was migrants, ethnic minorities, and refugees. What drove that?

We travelled a lot when we were kids. We lived in the States and Asia, and because my father Tony was in Aer Lingus for many years, we followed him around the world. You get to know different cultures. Ireland has a long history of people going abroad and being welcomed, and I think we should be proud of the people who come here and contribute.

Did the spend-down model always work?

No. You always had failures. Sometimes when you put significant money into a charity, it can overwhelm the organisation. You think they're ready for it and they're not. Sometimes there can also be resistance to planning or measurement. We weren't telling organisations what to do, but we would say: you need a business plan. There were failures, and I think you have to accept that if you're trying to change things. If you're not prepared to adapt, then there is a problem.

How have you come to define success when it comes to giving back?

The easiest definition is that they don't need us anymore. Jigsaw and MyMind would be examples. MyMind brought low-cost counselling and technology into therapy. If someone is anxious about travelling across town to see a therapist, being able to turn on a camera from home can make access easier. That's impact. Social Entrepreneurs Ireland is another example. We helped to develop the idea of social enterprise, and I'm certain there's a social entrepreneur in every village in Ireland - people working through community groups, sport, respite care, choirs, committees and more.

What advice would you give someone thinking about setting up their own philanthropic structure?

Advisory groups are great. We wouldn't have wallflowers. Just because we have the money doesn't mean we have the brains. You need people who will challenge you. And don't shove philanthropy down your kids' throats. Let them decide whether they want to get involved. What I regard as important can be totally different from what my kids regard as important, and that's fine. You also shouldn't be put off by the cynics. Size doesn't matter. If you're from Athenry, do something in Athenry. If you're from Limerick, do something in Limerick. Or do something that's close to your heart.

Looking ahead, are you optimistic about the future of philanthropy in Ireland?

I'm very optimistic. I think this generation coming through cares a lot more than we give them credit for. A lot of people in their twenties and thirties are asking what they actually want to do with their lives, and some are choosing work with purpose over more conventional career paths. For me, the great thing about giving is the knockon effect. You see somebody get an opportunity, and then years later you hear from them again. That's the bit that keeps you going.