fundraising, management consulting, philanthropic trends, and developments at 2into3 itself. The newsletter is intended to inform, educate, and promote thought and discussion, so please peruse the selected articles and give us your feedback. We hope you find the items interesting and useful, and we look forward to hearing from you. 

THE GOSPEL OF WEALTH

 

"Poor and restricted are our opportunities in this life; narrow our horizon; our best work most imperfect; but rich men should be thankful for one inestimable boon. They have it in their power during their lives to busy themselves in organising benefactions from which the masses of their fellows will derive lasting advantage, and thus dignify their own lives."   The words of Andrew Carnegie were published in the late 19th century, setting out a civic-minded giving philosophy in 'The Gospel of Wealth' that planted the seeds of modern philanthropy. The industrial baron and the name 'Carnegie' soon became synonymous with vast financial bestowals and public projects across the globe, but the true reasoning behind his actions was often unknown to the general public. It has quietly been spreading for more than a century, however, urging the wealthy to disseminate their money over the course of their lives, rather than posthumously, to properly ensure that the far-reaching aims of civic philanthropy are achieved. Modern philanthropists such as Bill Gates, who finance initiatives and broad projects in place of once-off sum donations to selected organisations, are among those who subscribe to Carnegie's pioneering vision.   "It took a long, long time - but after more than a century, it is now being taken very seriously and, I think, having an influence on convincing the very wealthy to give away their money in their lifetimes,' said Prof. David Nasaw, who published a massive new biography titled 'Andrew Carnegie' last year.   Nasaw presents Carnegie as a sly businessman who later turned to philanthropy to justify a ruthless drive for success; regardless of his initial motivations, however, it is undeniable that Carnegie launched a nearly unrivalled international campaign to work for the public good. He established more than 3,000 free libraries, schools and universities around the world - including approximately 80 libraries in Ireland, 62 of which are still standing - and gave away an estimated €3billion (adjusted to modern standards) by the time of his death. And Carnegie carefully chose his projects, advocating developments that would enhance the public's education, advancement and general well-being.   In 'Wealth,' he wrote that the rich had a social responsibility to use their money for the benefit of others. This duty, he argued, held more importance or significance than leaving all wealth to descendents, granting gifts upon death or dispersing trifling amounts throughout one's life. His writings also included a practical side, urging philanthropists to give before their fortunes could fall victim to estate taxes.   "This policy would work powerfully to induce the rich man to attend to the administration of wealth during his life, which is the end that society should always have in view, as being that by far most fruitful for the people. Nor need it be feared that this policy would sap the root of enterprise and render men less anxious to accumulate, for to the class whose ambition it is to leave great fortunes and be talked about after their death, it will attract even more attention, and, indeed, be a somewhat nobler ambition to have enormous sums paid over to the state from their fortunes," he wrote.   Carnegie insisted that 'one of the serious obstacles to the improvement of our race is indiscriminate charity . . . the best means of benefiting the community is to place within its reach the ladders upon which the aspiring can rise - park, and means of recreation, by which men are helped in body and mind; works of art, certain to give pleasure and improve the public taste, and public institutions of various kinds, which will improve the general condition of the people; in this manner returning their surplus wealth to the mass of their fellows in the forms best calculated to do them lasting good.'

THE CHANGING FACE OF THE IRISH NON-PROFIT SECTOR

The non-profit sector in Ireland continues to grow and evolve in line with an international restructuring trend focused on increasing the effectiveness of non-profit organisations, experts say.

Non-profits have a long and storied history of establishment and enthusiasm in Ireland; a report published last year by the Centre for Nonprofit Management at Trinity College Dublin compiled a list of 25,000 groups. But those that were established more recently were most communicative and most inclined  to structuralisation, the report found.

Half of all responding organisations had only been established within the last 20 years, and these non-profits also constituted the majority that had taken advantage of Government laws.

'Although 50 percent of responding organisations had been established from 1986, 67 percent of organisations incorporated as companies had been established in that time,' the authors wrote. 'Furthermore, although CHY numbers do not confer legal status, they do carry tax exemptions; 58 percent of organisations with CHY numbers had been established since 1986, which could also be indicative of increasing formalisation.'

Despite the State-savvy youth of newer organisations, however, more mature establishments were on a whole larger, with bigger incomes, employee and volunteer numbers. Yet the authors called into question the effective utilisation of these resources.

'This Report is published at a time of great change in the environment in which non-profit organisations operate,' the authors wrote. 'These changes are social, economic, demographic, cultural ... Irish non-profit organisations, therefore, have reached a stage in their history at which it may be opportune for them to ask questions about their futures.'

Charities and other Irish non-profits have been undeniably working toward new operating systems, recruiting executives across all levels to help better attain their goals. Fundraising has been a particular area of focus for many organisations; the CNM estimated that many non-profits historically relied upon donations for up to 11 percent of income, and the most popular form of donating was a once-off sum, rather than planned or committed giving. The task of fundraising often fell to volunteers, board members, or unqualified employees.

These are the trends that many major Irish charities have been trying to shirk; well-known names such as the Dublin Simon Community have seen significant change this year. And philanthropic experts have noted a move toward improved infrastructure across the world, as charities realise they must re-organise themselves to best serve their aims.

'What's amazing is not that there's foundations in Singapore, in Thailand, and those places, but when you sit down and talk to them, it's how sophisticated they can be,' said Barry Gaberman, the keynote speaker at the WINGS Forum non-profit conference in November.

So Irish non-profits, like their counterpart organisations internationally, are re-examining themselves and subsequently implementing changes to professionalise and evolve with the times to increase productivity. The CNM is continually conducting research to adequately document and assess these processes, and it concedes that a vast amount of work still needs to be done within the sector. But discussion and analysis will only further the goals of all non-profit entities and the sector as a whole, helping organisations to adapt uniquely and effectively to Ireland.

'Consideration of the roles that non-profit organisations perform and the social and economic changes that Ireland is experiencing challenge us to think proactively about the sector's development,' the authors wrote. 'This is particularly relevant for a society feeling its way forward, in a new century, to an identity that is both sustained and changed.'

Q&A WITH PHILIP REGAN, ASSOCIATE

Q: What is your position with 2into3?

A: Basically, I'm an associate consultant; working on Recruitment and Human Capital consulting assignments.

Q: How does your experience uniquely qualify you to help non-profits ?

A: Well, I worked in consulting in London in the 70s in Senior Management Recruitment and Consultancy; I was involved in Strategy Change Mangement and Human Resource Development in Coras Trachtala the Irish Export Board, which I worked in for 14 years and became very interested in the whole sort of organisational change field.

I joined the United Nations Development Progamme to help change their International Recruitment approach and then ran their programme in Pakistan with a heavy emphasis on Public Sector reform. In the World Bank, I was hired at the time that the new head of the World Bank was hired, and I worked there as a change guy in part of the human resources team. That was a major change programme using a very systematic approach to all aspects of Human Resources. At the moment, I'm working for EnterpriseIreland on leadership programmes, which are change programmes in the software sector and another one in the construction sector. Virtually all of my experience has been as part of change processes in organisations. I've also been chairperson and still volunteer for a non-profit which has grown from almost nothing to 16 staff members in 5 years. So I'm quite familiar with the dynamics of a non-profit.

Q: Why are you interested in working with the non-profit sector?

A: The mission and the causes of non-profit organisations are very compelling  - and particularly in newly affluent Ireland, with a huge amount of material success.I think the non-profits have a key role to play in the sort of readdressing some of the imbalance in Irish society. In order to do that, they need to be as efficient as the private sector is, and I think not all non-profits have been run, historically, in the same way that a private organisation has been run.

Q: Are you particularly excited to be working in the non-profit sector in your home country?

A: I've always wanted to come back to Ireland. I was very happy to do so. The scale of things here means that you get to meet a lot of people. Ireland, as I say, is at a very interesting stage. There's a lot more money coming in through philanthropy and through government. One can get to know more people in it and actually be more of use than one could in somewhere like the US.

Q: How have your first few months with 2into3 been?

A: I've found it extremely stimulating. I think they're very high energy people trying to move in a very innovative and optimistic kind of way into this sector. I think they have a lot to offer. It's always fun to be part of a dynamic team, and they're growing very fast.

FIRST IRISH SCHOOLS FUNDRAISING CONFERENCE EXPLORES NEW EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT APPROACHES

School leaders from across Ireland gathered in June for a groundbreaking forum and conference to discuss school fundraising, new approaches and the state of educational philanthropy in Ireland.

The School Fundraising in Ireland conference was held on June 19 in Dublin, bringing together approximately 40 principals, development executives and board members. They heard presentations from schools that have implemented successful campaigns, such a Clongowes Wood College, and discussed fundraising strategies and attitudes with experts and each other.

'It was the first time schools had an open forum discussion where they could voice their opinions,' said Harvey Duthie, consultant with 2into3, which hosted the conference. 'All attendees left enthusiastic. One of the headmasters said that, for the first time in 20 years or so, he was leaving enthusiastic about fundraising.'

The event's programme centred on the concept that schools should pursue organised, unapologetic and multi-faceted campaigns - conducting research on needs, identifying and targeting potential donors, establishing a tradition of giving and always maintaining highly communicative and personal policies - rather than making haphazard, need-based appeals to stakeholders.

Among the day's presenters was Jenni Barrett, who spearheaded the pioneering annual fund and capital campaign efforts at Clongowes. She stressed the need for supported and supportive leadership, separation of school and campaign operations, and hard work to maintain philanthropic momentum after initial donation windfalls.

Richard Morton, a member of the board of management at Rockboro Primary School in Cork, described similar strategies. After realising that desired school developments could not be achieved through fees alone, Rockboro pursued a well laid out funding plan that targeted parents, alumni, businesses and other stakeholders, visibly completing school access and car parking, as well as an improved pre-school, within a two-year period - and consequently establishing a record of delivering on promises. Rockboro is now pursuing an Annual Fund; half of all parents have already contributed, and the response rate continues to climb.

'After hearing what other people had done in other schools, [attendees] thought, "OK, it's hard work, but it's very rewarding,"' Mr Duthie said. 'A lot of them came along curious wondering if they could do it; I think many of them left enthusiastic enough to bite the bullet and look forward.'

2into3 Director Dennis O'Connor encouraged discussion among participants, speaking to them about scoping, risk management, making the decision and getting organised. He urged them to assess their capacities using professional expertise and develop a long-term plan early to be implemented in phases. The subsequent discussion was productive and thought-provoking, contributing to 'a very, very positive occasion,' Mr Duthie said.

In This Issue

The Gospel of Wealth

The Changing Face of the Irish Non-Profit Sector

2into3 Interview: Philip Regan

First Irish Schools Fundraising Conference Explores New Educational Development Approaches

Making 'Headway' from Corporate to Non-Profit

Quick Links

PHILANTHROPY AWARD

The Community Foundation for Ireland will hold the inaugural Philanthropist of the Year awards on November 15 2007. Ireland has become a wealthy country and is undoubtedly a charitable nation, but philanthropy is just starting to flourish here. The awards will provide recognition for outstanding achievements by individuals whose giving helps society. The Community Foundation hopes this encourages others to become donors in the future. There are two award categories - the first for philanthropy in Ireland and the second for philanthropy by Irish people overseas. "We want to shine a light on those special individuals who are deeply engaged in putting their energy, commitment and resources together to make a significant long term contribution, whether large or small, to enhancing society, both here in Ireland and throughout the world," Ms Tina Roche, Chief Executive at The Community Foundation for Ireland said.

Nominations can be made by charities, community groups and the public at large. Nomination forms are available on

www.communityfoundation.ie

or by contacting

The Community Foundation for Ireland on 01 874 7354. The closing date for nominations is noon on October 12.

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