Two Weeks in Ireland and a Lot of Thinking About Fundraising

Nonprofit fundraising came up more often than I thought it would.

Two years ago I received my Irish citizenship. Last summer my Irish passport arrived.

As February looked to be a slower time for me with work, I booked a flight to see where my grandfather grew up, do some hiking, and meet people in the world of Irish nonprofits.

I’ve just recently returned, with my mind blown.

For those interested in visiting Ireland, I started in Galway, then Westport, and spent several days driving around and exploring Counties Mayo and Sligo. After a week on the west coast, I went to Dublin.

I was almost immediately introduced to several nonprofit subjects. First were climate change, the war in Ukraine, refugees, unhoused neighbors, and historic preservation. I have a big smile on my face while I write that one, as everywhere I went seemed to offer a historical site!

Unlike in the U.S., there is not an all-out war against nonprofits from the federal government, so nonprofits are free to serve immigrants, refugees, and trans people without attack from the government.

The similarities in fundraising were all over the place:

Thank donors.

Invest in monthly giving.

Treat donors like people.

Tell stories.

Share impact.

Time and time again I heard from donors, whether I was in a pub listening to trad music in Westport or on a historic tour in Dublin, that they felt they were being part of the solution by donating to the nonprofits they support.

I love that!

More to come on my Irish adventures.

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Take a risk. Be of service. Support your friends and colleagues. Be kind.