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Why is Philanthropy Important?
Social and environmental challenges continue to rapidly emerge, demanding multiple and often innovative, new responses. While government provides significant resources, there is a limit to what it can do, and indeed it may not be appropriate for government to do so in certain circumstances.
This is where philanthropy can play a vital role in responding to the needs of our time and applying resources strategically to maximise impact. Philanthropy can be intentional and efficient in the deployment of private capital for public good. As a form of independent capital, philanthropy can take risks not always open to other funding models and it can advance vital work in areas that otherwise may not happen. Philanthropy at its best is collaborative, working in partnership with government, with other philanthropies and with civil society.
But philanthropy needs to be nurtured. As wealth in Ireland increases so too does inequality and social need. There are huge opportunities and a need to support the growth of private giving in Ireland.
This is where Philanthropy Ireland comes in. Philanthropy Irelands mission is to champion and inspire philanthropy that can respond to these challenges. We do this by supporting an ecosystem of dynamic philanthropic actors, providing opportunities to grow and share best practice, advocate for an enabling fiscal environment and promote the power and potential of philanthropy.
The Unique Role of Philanthropy Ireland
Philanthropy Ireland is the lead independent membership network for philanthropy in Ireland. This strategy focuses on our role as the objective and informed voice on all aspects of philanthropy in Ireland and how, when nurtured, philanthropy can effect positive change for social good.
While diverse in nature, our membership is united on a common purpose: to enable the deployment of philanthropic resources for maximum impact in the communities they seek to support. We are part of a thriving and growing ecosystem supporting good practice and innovation for philanthropy in Ireland and globally.
As leaders in the philanthropy space in Ireland, our work is driven by unique insights and knowledge of the sector developed over 20+ years of our own experience, and incorporating the knowledge and expertise of our diverse membership community.
This strategy is informed by a common understanding of the role of philanthropy among wider communities of stakeholders, including government and beneficiaries, who recognise the power of collaboration for the effective deployment of philanthropic resources, as together we navigate the challenges of our time and of time to come.
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Our membership spans a diverse spectrum of philanthropic models, structures, and interests. This ranges from small to large organisations, private operating foundations (family and corporate) to intermediary foundations, supporting many different fields of social interest.
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What Do We Stand For?
Our Vision
Our Mission
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Empowerment
Enabling a diversity of communities, donors, and practitioners to act with confidence, creativity and influence.
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Transparency
Adhering to openness, accountability, and trust-building through clear communication and shared learning.
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Collaboration
Building strategic partnerships across philanthropy, government, business, and civil society to maximise impact.
Our Values
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Courage
Providing courageous risk-embracing leadership that strives for systemic and transformative change in Irish philanthropy.
What has Informed this Strategy?
Listening and learning have been vital in the process of developing this strategic framework. This included:
Stakeholder Engagement:
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National Philanthropy Policy 2024-2028 – noting the ambition and vision of government as outlined in the policy and the ensuing implementation plan.
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Futures Philanthropy Report – ‘Stewarding Irish Philanthropy: A Roadmap for the Future’, a resource resulting from a deep consultation with the philanthropy community using futures and foresight methodologies to co-create an ambitious vision for the future of Irish philanthropy and the pathways to achieve it.
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Members Survey – with a 70% response rate, an in-depth survey of our members provided us with key insights into the challenges, opportunities, and needs they are experiencing and anticipate as they deliver philanthropic programmes.
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Peer organisations – observation and discussion with linked organisations, including civil society organisations and the infrastructure bodies that represent them, European colleagues in Philea, and advisory bodies.
Internal Engagement:
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Staff consultation – workshopping ideas, reviewing outcomes of previous strategy and annual impact reports.
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Board consultation – workshopping strategic vision and the development of frameworks for realising the organisation's ambition.
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Communications report – a full analysis of the impact of our communications over 12 months across all platforms and channels of engagement.
Our Strategic Priorities and Objectives
Objectives
Promotion
Promote the concept and value of philanthropy, to deepen understanding and engagement among key audiences and stakeholders.
Demonstrate the value of philanthropy to Irish society to advance understanding and connectivity.
Take opportunities to advance a culture of philanthropic giving.
Support the implementation of the National Communication Strategy.
Delivery
Promote the concept and value of philanthropy, to deepen understanding and engagement among key audiences and stakeholders.
PI has the human, financial and infrastructural requirements to deliver this strategy and supports the long-term sustainability of the organisation.
Highest standards of governance, financial management and transparency are met and embedded in PI.
Practice
Support and promote best practice through collaboration, research, advisory services, and knowledge sharing.
Cultivate a dynamic and engaged community of members, philanthropists and philanthropic interests interacting independently and collectively to maximise philanthropic impact.
Provide a strong support infrastructure that enables philanthropists and practitioners to act effectively.
Advance collaborative synergies across philanthropy, government, civil society and business.
Policy
Provide voice for shaping a supportive environment for philanthropy through advocacy, policy engagement, and strategic implementation.
Proactively engage with implementation of the National Philanthropy Policy 2024-2028.
Be the primary and trusted source of independent opinion, data and analysis on philanthropy in Ireland.
Leverage influence for mechanisms of support to enable and advance philanthropy in Ireland.
Priorities
Our Strategic Actions: Policy
Priority
Actively shaping a supportive environment for philanthropy through advocacy, policy engagement, and strategic implementation.
Objectives
Continue to proactively engage with implementation of the National Philanthropy Policy 2024-2028.
Engage across working groups to influence and inform decision makers in support of successful implementation of the National Policy on Philanthropy.
Influence the advancement of the next national policy planning stage.
Be the primary and trusted source of independent opinion, data and analysis on philanthropy in Ireland.
Continue to expand as a centre of knowledge to provide key sector insights and knowledge, to inspire bold, strategic philanthropy that embraces risk-taking to tackle systemic challenges.
Develop and implement a research strategy to establish PI as a primary source of independent opinion and data on philanthropy in Ireland.
Monitor changes in National and Global economy and the impact these may have on philanthropic giving.
Harness influence to build and strengthen support systems that drive and expand philanthropic impact in Ireland.
Continue to proactively engage with government and policy makers to inform and progress the development of an enabling policy, legislative and operating environment for philanthropy.
Increase our capacity to respond and engage with decision makers.
Develop a 3 year advocacy plan to develop a targeted advocacy programme.
Actions
What Will Success Look Like?
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Philanthropy Ireland is recognised and utilised as a primary source of independent opinion, data and analysis on philanthropy in Ireland.
Policy and regulatory environment are positively contributing to the development of philanthropy.
Blockages for the growth of philanthropy are understood and are being addressed.
Our Strategic Actions: Practice
Priority
Support and promote best practice through collaboration, research, advisory services, and knowledge sharing.
Objectives
Cultivate a dynamic and engaged community of members, philanthropists and philanthropic interests interacting independently and collectively to maximise philanthropic impact.
Continue to deliver engaging events that support and encourage knowledge sharing, networking and sharing of best practice in philanthropy and grantmaking.
Develop engagement strategies that segment our membership and the wider philanthropy community with the aim of providing bespoke support to different forms of philanthropy and philanthropic entities.
Provide a strong support infrastructure that enables philanthropists and practitioners to act effectively.
Develop our advisory support offering to best support the philanthropy community through our unique role as an independent voice.
Cultivate strong infrastructure support to philanthropies through engagement with professional advisers and supporting bodies to encourage best practice in philanthropy advice.
Advance collaborative synergies across philanthropy, government, civil society and business.
Support the growth of forums for philanthropists to deepen involvement with philanthropy and foster collaborative platforms.
Develop an engagement strategy for external stakeholders such as government, professional advisers and beneficiaries to increase multi-sector collaboration, improving the impact of philanthropic support.
Actions
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What Will Success Look Like?
A growing and engaged membership is contributing to positive social impact to recognised standards of practice.
Philanthropists and philanthropic interests are collaborating to maximise philanthropic impact.
Philanthropy is widely recognised as key contributor to systemic change.
Our Strategic Actions: Promotion
Priority
Promote the concept and value of philanthropy, to deepen understanding and engagement among key audiences and stakeholders.
Objectives
Showcase the impact of philanthropy on Irish society to strengthen engagement and relationships with major donors.
Shift public perception through showcasing illustrative case studies of philanthropic impact, building confidence and visibility in the potential of philanthropy and the benefit of this model of funding.
Where relevant engage with philanthropic beneficiaries to share stories of the benefit philanthropy has on individuals, communities and social change in Ireland.
Take opportunities to advance a culture of philanthropic giving.
Promote the voice of Irish philanthropists and normalise open dialogue around wealth, power, and philanthropic outcomes to build trust and legitimacy.
Spotlight different models of philanthropy to promote the power and potential of philanthropy, highlighting the different ways donors engage in philanthropy, breaking down perceptions and opening opportunities.
Support the implementation of the National Communication Strategy.
Continue to Chair the Communications and Awareness Subgroup and lead on implementation of key actions for delivery of the communications strategy.
Actions
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What Will Success Look Like?
Appropriate mechanisms of support to champion and stimulate philanthropy are contributing to increased philanthropic activity.
Philanthropy as a concept is more widely understood, appreciated and valued.
The philanthropy landscape is characterised as being in a growth phase.
Our Strategic Actions: Delivery
Priorities
Ensure Philanthropy Ireland has the resources, systems and partnerships to effectively deliver its strategic objectives.
Objectives
PI has the human, financial and infrastructural requirements to deliver this strategy and to support the long-term sustainability of the organisation.
Strengthen organisational capacity by resourcing, supporting, and empowering our team to achieve mission-aligned outcomes
Optimise operations to ensure resources and capacity are strategically aligned with goal delivery.
Develop and implement strategies to broaden our funding base and ensure organisational sustainability.
Highest standards of governance, financial management and transparency are met and embedded in PI.
Adhere to all sectoral and regulatory obligations.
Continued compliance with requirements of all service level arrangements.
A strong, diverse Board and subcommittee framework supports our legal and strategic obligations.
Actions
What Will Success Look Like?
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Philanthropy Ireland is recognised and utilised as a primary source of independent opinion, data and analysis on philanthropy in Ireland.
Policy and regulatory environment are positively contributing to the development of philanthropy.
Blockages for the growth of philanthropy are understood and are being addressed.
Looking to
the Future
In line with our ethos of sustainable change and in response to direct member and wider stakeholder feedback, this strategy will enable us to realise the long-term ambitions of both Philanthropy Ireland and the wider philanthropy community in Ireland.
Our ambition goes beyond 2028. As we aim for sustainable and continued development of philanthropy for social impact, our longer-term vision is that:
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By 2028
Irish philanthropy is confident, visible, and impactful, underpinned by a strong ecosystem and infrastructure that drives collaboration and delivers measurable change on key social issues.
By 2035
The value and impact of philanthropy are recognised, evidence-based, and embedded across all sectors of society.