About Us

Fundraising Ireland is the network for fundraisers in Ireland. Established in 2007, it is an independent organisation founded by fundraisers for fundraisers to promote best practice in fundraising, enable fundraisers in Ireland to network and to represent the profession of fundraising in the evolving charities and fundraising regulation.

The fundraising sector in Ireland has grown dramatically in recent years. It is estimated that over €500m is raised nationally on an annual basis. Several hundred people are employed directly as fundraisers within organisations while thousands more are also engaged in fundraising as part of their work or in a voluntary capacity. In February 2009 the Charities Act 2009 was enacted which specifies a range of regulatory processes for charities who engage in fundraising, and which demonstrates even more clearly the need for a central body for fundraisers.

Formally launched in June 2007 as an ad-hoc network, Fundraising Ireland became incorporated as a company in May 2009.

Our Mission

Our mission is to foster excellence in fundraising and to promote best practice across the sector. Fundraising Ireland will fulfil its mission by providing its members with advice, guidance, networking opportunities, events, training, education and any other support they need to maximise their fundraising potential.

Our Vision

To have the profession of fundraising recognised as a credible and respected occupation and to ensure fundraisers in Ireland are at the forefront of international practice and standards.

Our Philosophy

Fundraising Ireland is committed to providing the highest quality of services for our members. We are responsive to their needs and strive to exceed expectations. In turn Fundraising Ireland expects our members to adhere to professional codes of conduct in relation to their fundraising roles and responsibilities.

Aims and Objectives

To provide a networking organisation for fundraisers and those associated with fundraising to meet and to discuss issues of shared interest.
To promote best practice in fundraising in Ireland.
To organise an average of 3 networking and discussion group meetings for fundraisers per year on topics chosen by fundraisers.
To develop and roll out Ireland's premier annual conference for fundraisers enabling Irish fundraisers to learn from international and national experience and expertise.
To circulate information to interested parties about existing and newly formed special interest fundraising groups and to work with these groups to support their existence and inform others about them.
To promote the development of accredited training for fundraisers in Ireland.
To represent best practice in fundraising in relation to the Charities Act and associated fundraising regulation through codes of practice.

A voluntary steering group emerged initially which met regularly over the first two years to progress these aims and objectives and to set up the organisation as a limited company and registered charity with the Revenue Commissioners. Fundraising Ireland employ a Business Development Manager and The Wheel provide secretariat services in terms of administrative, logistical and event management support.

Board of Directors

Fundraising Ireland has developed a governance structure that ensures its board of directors will be elected from amongst the organizations membership (fee-paying membership programme to be rolled out during 2010). The governance structure and election process can be read here. Following its first board elections in June 2009, the current members of the board are:

Mark Carrigan - Brakely Consulting
Jill Clark - Irish Cancer Society
Ambrose Duffy - Head of Donor Marketing, Concern Worldwide
Harvey Duthie - Executive Director, CCS Fundraising
Aisling Hurley - Director of Development, Royal College of Surgeons in Irelnad

ISPCC

Mary O'Kennedy - O'Kennedy Consulting
Aidan Stacey - Head of Fundraising, Irish Hearth Foundation

Meet the board...

Company Details

Fundraising Ireland is the trading name of the company limited by guarantee not having share capital 'The Fundraising Professionals Network Ireland Limited'. It is registered in Dublin, Ireland, with registered address: 3rd Floor, La Touche House, 1 Grove Road, Rathmines, Dublin 6. It has company number 472339.