share

informed decisions blog

Strategic Philanthropy in Ireland: A Conversation With Community Foundation Ireland's CEO

July 20, 2026

Paddy Delaney

Most people spend decades building wealth and never quite get to the second question: not how do I protect this, but what do I actually want it to do? On this episode, Paddy Delaney talks to Denise Charlton, CEO of Community Foundation Ireland, about strategic philanthropy in Ireland. How it actually works, and where to start.

What you'll learn:

• How a Donor Advised Fund works in Ireland, and why the entry point is lower than most assume (€25,000–€50,000)

• The difference between ad-hoc giving and strategic philanthropy

• How tax relief and Capital Acquisitions Tax exemptions apply to charitable giving in Ireland

• How families bring the next generation into a giving conversation, and how endowments work in perpetuity

If you've built significant wealth and you're starting to ask what it's actually for, this conversation is worth your time.

About the Guest

Denise Charlton is Chief Executive of Community Foundation Ireland, the country's leading philanthropic foundation. Her career spans senior leadership at the Immigrant Council of Ireland and Women's Aid; she was a founder of Marriage Equality, and she currently sits on the board of Cuan, the State's statutory agency for sexual and gender-based violence. You can find Community Foundation Ireland at communityfoundation.ie.

🎙️ Full podcast episode and 📖 Blog:  www.informeddecisions.ie/post/strategic-philanthropy-ireland

📊 Want to check where you are? Try our free 10-minute Retirement Readiness Scorecard: https://www.informeddecisions.ie/pension-calculator

📅 Find out how we work: https://www.informeddecisions.ie

Disclaimer

The content of this site including blogs and podcasts is for information purposes only. Everybody’s financial situation is different and the content we share on our site and through podcasts may not be applicable to you. 

The articles, blogs and podcasts are not investment advice. They do not take account of your individual circumstances, including your knowledge and experience and attitude to risk. Informed Decisions can’t be held responsible for the consequences if you pursue a course of action based on the information we share

You may also like...

Should You Retire at a Market All-Time High? Sequence Risk & the Irish ARF
August 31, 2026

Should You Retire at a Market All-Time High? Sequence Risk & the Irish ARF

find out more
Planning to 95: Life Expectancy, the Irish ARF and the Real Retirement Lever
August 24, 2026

Planning to 95: Life Expectancy, the Irish ARF and the Real Retirement Lever

find out more
72% One Country: Is Your Irish Pension Actually Diversified?
August 17, 2026

72% One Country: Is Your Irish Pension Actually Diversified?

find out more

Not sure if your pension will be enough?

Informed Decisions are one of Ireland's only remaining independent financial advice firms. Our free retirement calculator models your income, tax, and lifestyle goals — in 10 minutes.

Irish Tax Modelling • All Income Sources • Personalised Results

Find out where you stand today...

Try the Calculator