Record 2024 Donations top 27M Powering Community Foundations Equality Mission
Record Donations power Community Foundation’s Equality Mission
New Government asked to recognise potential of philanthropy
Statement by Community Foundation Ireland
A new Programme for Government should include measures to grow Irish philanthropy for the benefit of communities, according to Community Foundation Ireland.
The Foundation makes its call as a 2024 Impact Report shows that donations for the year will surpass €27 Million, equal to an annual record set in the immediate aftermath of the pandemic.
The funding has been used primarily to provide grants to communities, researchers and campaigners to advance a mission of ‘Equality For All In Thriving Communities’.
Since its establishment as a philanthropic hub in 2000 more than €140 Million has been provided through grant-making – in addition philanthropists have grown a €50 Million Endowment Fund to future proof work in communities.
The Impact Report highlights key achievements achieved with partners in the past year as:
- A Budget Commitment to provide hot school meals to every child, as campaigned for with the Children’s Rights Alliance
- New pilot projects to ensure children are fed during school breaks to prevent holiday hunger
- Agenda setting research with the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) to bring a focus on poverty in a cost-of-living crisis
- Two new partnership funds with Government to promote local action to protect climate and nature
- Pioneering research on the harms of porn, prostitution and commercial sexual exploitation
- €5-Million raised to support children in a partnership with the RTÉ Toy Show Appeal
Welcoming the report, Denise Charlton, Chief Executive of Community Foundation Ireland said:
“Our philanthropists, donors and supporters are not only supporting the delivery of frontline services on the ground in communities but are also making possible equality work which otherwise would not happen.
They are keenly aware of the challenge poised by climate change, the need to protect the rights of minorities including migrants, Travellers and the LGBTQI+ community ahead of the 10th anniversary of the marriage equality referendum.
In our partnership with the ESRI we have shown that 230,000 children are at risk of poverty – a figure which has dominated political debate and the need for urgent action.
Yet despite these actions we believe the full potential of Irish philanthropy is not being realised and communities could benefit more if the new incoming Government takes some positive steps.”
The Foundation is asking the new Government to commit to:
- Resource and Implement the first National Policy on Philanthropy launched in December 2023
- Increase awareness of the benefits of philanthropy through an awareness campaign
- Examine ways to grow key areas of philanthropy in particular legacy giving which if it were to reach UK levels could provide an extra €600-Million for communities