Calls for Expressions of Interest: Membership to National Advisory Group for Government Policy on Philanthropy in Ireland

One of the Strategic Objectives of the Department of Rural and Community Development is to support the growth and development of philanthropy in Ireland. A key action for this objective is to develop a National Philanthropy Strategy in consultation with stakeholders, drawing on commissioned research and experience in other EU countries and similar philanthropic environments.

Following the publication, in November, 2021, of the report on the independent research, presented by Indecon Consultants, The Landscape of Philanthropic Giving in Ireland and the independent report of discussions from the Workshop Charting a course for the development of an Irish National Policy on Philanthropy, held on 1st December, 2021, the next step is the establishment of a National Advisory Group to assist in the advancement of the philanthropy policy.

The purpose of the Advisory Group will be to collaborate with the Department of Rural and Community Development to explore and identify key aspects of what will be a supportive and innovative national philanthropy policy. Our aim is to publish a draft for public consultation by end 2022. The Group will be chaired by Item was unpublished or removed Joe O’ Brien T.D.

While overall responsibility for the development of the policy is with the Department of Rural and Community Development, All partners and stakeholders have a role to play in realising the shared vision of an enabling philanthropy policy. Drawing on the independent reports, the Advisory Group will advise Minister O’ Brien and the Department on the structure, content and implementation of the policy, working towards the completion of a draft for public consultation.

It is intended that the National Advisory Group will be established and convene for the first time on 26th April, 2022 and will meet at least at quarterly intervals until the philanthropy policy has been approved by Government and published.

Membership of the National Advisory Group will include representatives of Government, the broader philanthropy sector, corporate, academia and include an international dimension.

This Department is committed to ensuring the views and experience of the broader Philanthropy community is strongly reflected in the composition of the Advisory Group and that the overall composition of the Group will reflect a balance between Government representation and stakeholders as outlined in the Draft Terms of Reference below.

It is proposed to fill two places on the Advisory Group through a public Expression of Interest.

Applicants will be required to meet the following criteria:

• Involvement/experience with the philanthropy sector for a period of no less than three years;
• Understanding of philanthropy and a strong motivation to provide significant contributions to the Group and to advance the development of an enabling philanthropy policy; and
• Willingness to represent the interest of all aspects of philanthropy and not any individual organisation and/or position.

Interested individuals are now invited to submit their Expression of Interest Application via email (using the template below) Breda.bailey@drcd.gov.ie by 8th April, 2022. Any applications received after this date will not be considered.

Notes:

I. Membership of the Advisory Group is voluntary and unremunerated. However, reasonable expenses necessarily incurred in the attendance at meetings by members whose expenses are not ordinarily refundable from any other source may have such expenses refunded by the Department of Rural and Community Development in accordance with public sector guidelines.

II. Factors such as gender balance, geographic spread, both urban and rural, as well as the spectrum of sectoral engagement will be taken into consideration in allocating the seats.