A Guide to Choosing and Supporting Charities in Ireland
According to a 2021 survey by the Charities Regulator, approximately 90% of Irish people donated to a charity in the past year.
We all know the value that comes with helping others, whether that’s volunteering our time, offering emotional support to those around us or donating to charities. But did you know that the warm fuzzy feeling you get from giving to others is actually good for you? In fact, studies show that it can boost your physical and mental health by lowering blood pressure, reducing stress, and increasing self-esteem.
If you’d like to give back in some way but aren’t sure how to make a difference, you’re not alone. Many of us feel called to support a cause that’s close to our hearts but aren’t sure what steps to take. The good news? We’re here to help! Consider this your ultimate guide to choosing and supporting charities in Ireland.
How to find a charity to support in Ireland
Whether you lend a hand through gift-giving, dedicated time, or crowdfunding, here are three prompts that might help when determining which Irish charity or cause is right for you., to help you find the best charities in Ireland
Know what matters
Choosing a charity to support is a hugely personal decision. Start by thinking about the causes closest to your heart. For example, are you an animal lover? Are you passionate about protecting the environment? Have you or a family member battled with a particular illness, and you’d like to help others in the same position?
Narrow your focus
Now that you know what causes matter most to you, start researching charities that support your cause and align with your values. Consider what capacity and type of support you can provide and what impact you’d like to have. To spark your inspiration, you can browse fundraisers and a list of charities in Ireland via GoFundMe’s search function.
Evaluate your options
When you choose a charity, you want to make sure your support will have an impact. To do this, you need to deep dive into how the charity operates, its policies and processes and what they’ve accomplished to date. Your chosen charity should be transparent with you about where your funding will be spent. If possible, check out their website and follow them on social media.
3 practical ways you can support Irish charities
Charity fundraising can feel a little overwhelming. With so many possibilities, platforms and causes vying for our attention, it can be hard to muddle through and find the right option for you and your cause. The good news is that you don’t have to figure it out alone. There are so many resources and guidance out there that can help. To start, we’ve put together three practical ways you can support charity fundraising in Ireland.
Donate your time or resources
Due to a lack of funds, many charities have skills or staff shortages and rely on creative ways to fill the gaps. Think about what skills you have that could be valuable to your chosen charity and help others. Perhaps you’re tech-savvy and could teach computer skills at a local children’s group? Maybe you’re multilingual and could offer your translating services at a local refuge? Or perhaps you have expertise in Marketing, Finance or HR that could directly support your charity?
If you’re short on time but still want to make an impact on Irish charities , consider donating supplies. Most charitable organisations rely on generous donations from the community to keep their operations running. Things like food, clothing, toiletries are all common sought after supplies that can make a big difference to the charity and the people they help. Contact some of the best charities in Ireland, ask them what they need, and consider hosting a food or clothing drive to collect donations.
Leverage social media
According to the 2019 Giving Report, 29% of people consider social media the top communication tool that inspires giving. So, how can you take advantage of social media to support your charity? Social media, when used correctly, can improve your ability to engage with fellow supporters, further your reach—and promote your charity’s mission. Here is a list of some simple yet effective ways you can support your charity with social media:
- Regularly interact with your charity’s social media accounts, sharing, liking and commenting on their posts. This consistent interaction will boost their engagement rates and, in turn, increase their reach to new audiences.
- Use targeted hashtags that can help the right people find your chosen charity. Check if your charity already has a branded hashtag and integrate it with any content you share on your social media.
- Video is a powerful way to get people to stop scrolling and pay attention to your message. Utilise the power of video content to tell the story and background of your favourite Irish charity. Talk about why you chose to support them and encourage your online community to get involved.
- Link your charity in your social media accounts to allow like-minded supporters to discover and support your charity quickly.
Start a fundraiser
Crowdfunding utilises the power of people to make an impact and is a super effective method for raising big money for charities in Ireland. A successful crowdfunder relies on three main elements; making connections, telling a compelling story and getting your message across to as many people as possible.
Organising charity fundraisers can be a big undertaking, so don’t go it alone. Rally friends and family to volunteer their time and then delegate tasks among the group. Each person can bring a unique set of skills and energy to your fundraiser, and this ensures that your fundraiser retains momentum and doesn’t burn out before you hit your goal.
When choosing what type of crowdfunding event to create, consider what would align best with your cause. Think about what kind of event would match your charity’s mission and values, e.g., a sponsored dog walk for an animal shelter or a clothing drive for a homeless charity. Stuck for inspiration? We have many fundraising ideas on GoFundMe to spark your imagination and get your creative juices flowing.
What others are doing to support charities in Ireland
From cycling for the elderly and skydiving against cancer to running for Alzheimer’s awareness, we wanted to shine a light on three Irish charity fundraisers who went above and beyond, turning compassion into action to support charities in Ireland.
Dublin to Dingle 5 Day Cycle for Alone
Friends Ali and Ash took on the challenge to cycle 500km in 5 days in aid of Irish charity Alone, which supports older people facing homelessness, isolation or poverty. They keep donors connected to their fundraiser by sharing regular photos and progress updates on their page.
500,000 Steps for Irish Cancer Society
Matthew Hill donned his walking shoes with the goal to clock up 500,000 steps and €1,500 in aid of the Irish Cancer Society. He has linked his steps tracker so that supporters can follow his journey live and cheer him on along the way.
Anita’s VHI Marathon- Alzheimer’s Society
Anita’s GoFundMe goal was to raise awareness and funds for the Alzheimer’s Society Ireland. Anita’s mum was diagnosed with a rare form of dementia in 2015, and she ties in her personal story to highlight the impact this charity has had on her family’s life.
Make a difference today
Feeling inspired by these amazing stories? You can do it too! With GoFundMe, it couldn’t be easier to set up a donation page and raise money for a cause close to your heart. Setting up a fundraiser takes just minutes and we have a comprehensive list of charities in Ireland on our site. It’s a win-win, so what are you waiting for?