Corporate philanthropy has evolved. No longer confined to writing cheques or one-off sponsorships, today’s most impactful initiatives align with core business objectives while delivering measurable social value. This isn’t just about doing good—it’s about doing well by doing good. Two powerful examples from Philanthropy Ireland’s membership—TU Dublin’s TrailblazHER initiative, involving multiple corporate partners and our Philanthropy Ireland’s recent case study with Bank of America on their role in supporting young people from marginalised communities to explore technology and innovation employment —highlight how corporate giving can be strategic, collaborative, and future-focused.
TrailblazHER: Building Equity Through Collaboration
TrailblazHER™ is a community of stakeholders, working together, to advance gender representation and equality. Launched on International Women’s Day 2024, this community, led by Technological University Dublin supports women with the unique challenges they face as job seekers, job creators and leaders. They do this by delivering a range of experiences and supports for women from the (second level) classroom, through to the boardroom, with tailored supports at each stage.
For young women in second level education TrailblazHER™ offers experiential school programmes that encourage them to explore the world of careers, digital campaigns featuring relatable role models across a wide variety of disciplines, and scholarships to help increase female participation in areas where females are currently underrepresented.
Supporting Gender Equity for the Workforce of Tomorrow
Claire Mac Namee, Director of TrailblazHER™, told Philanthropy Ireland: “Research shows that early gender role conditioning profoundly shapes our educational and career choices, often steering us towards paths aligned with societal expectations rather than personal interests or abilities. TrailblazHER™ is designed to counteract these influences by increasing young women's exposure to a broad range of opportunities beyond education.”
For women studying at TU Dublin, TrailblazHER™ supports them to develop personal career roadmaps to ensure that as they advance from the University they are empowered, networked and have a gameplan. The flagship ‘Be A TrailblazHER’ Programme, is a key way this is delivered.
Building Community Through Partnership
Partnering with companies to build this community has been key. The TU Dublin Foundation supported TrailblazHER™ with a fundraising campaign which to date has delivered €1.3m of the initiatives €2m fundraising target.
Discussing the impact of TrailblazHER’s partnerships, Mac Namee emphasised that it’s not just about financial support. “Our partner companies have identified TrailblazHER™ Champions from their staff who are actively mentoring students, sharing their experiences, and bringing industry knowledge to help shape the next generation of talent. They are hugely aligned with our purpose and mission and contribute to the community in many ways.”
Supporters of TrailblazHER™ include founding donor intel, along with ESB, Fidelity Investments, Jones Engineering, PwC, Workday and Enterprise Mobility.
Companies partnering with TrailblazHER™ doesn’t just make ethical or moral sense, it also makes good business sense. Mac Namee highlighted that diversity and belonging benefit all stakeholders, regardless of the industry. “Gender-diverse companies often outperform their less diverse counterparts,” she noted. “A McKinsey report found that companies in the top quartile for gender diversity were 21% more likely to have above-average profitability.”
The collective efforts of all TrailblazHER™ stakeholders have enabled the community to accelerate a powerful range of impacts since its inception, including:
Sponsoring secondary students to present at the International Space Development Conference in Los Angeles
Hosting the first TY TrailblazHER Awards for transition year students
Developing and launching the Be A TrailblazHER Programme for university students at TU Dublin
Launching an industry mentoring programme
Developing a women-led business programme: TrailblazHER First Steps
Bank of America: A Broader View of Impact
Bank of America’s work in Ireland offers another example of future-focused philanthropy. As featured in a recent case study by Philanthropy Ireland, the company has embedded social investment into its business strategy, with an emphasis on increasing access to education and economic opportunity for underrepresented groups.
Through partnerships with local organisations, Bank of America supports programmes that not only tackle inequality but also prepare diverse communities to enter the workforce. This is philanthropy that mirrors the company's own long-term goals: creating inclusive growth and sustaining a diverse talent pipeline.
Aligning Purpose with Performance
What both TrailblazHER and Bank of America exemplify is a shift in how we think about corporate giving. This isn ’t about separating business goals from charitable activities. Instead, it's about aligning them—creating partnerships that generate shared value.
When companies invest in education, equity, and opportunity, they aren’t just giving back—they're building forward. The return? A stronger talent pool, a more resilient brand, and an organisation that lives its values in action.
This approach is gaining momentum across Ireland. It reflects a growing understanding that the best corporate philanthropy is not about detached generosity—it’s about strategic alignment.
For corporates, the message is clear: your philanthropy doesn’t need to sit apart from your business. It can—and should—be part of your growth strategy. And as these examples show, it can be a win for everyone.
Find out more information on the TrailblazHER initiative here.
Read the full Bank of America case study here.