A version of this article first appeared on the 2into 3 website.

This year’s Federation of Irish Sport conference at the Aviva Stadium on May 31st, themed ‘Invest in Irish Sport, Change the Game’ raised important questions about where our sporting NGBs are in fundraising.

The need to diversify funding and the first steps can that be taken to turn discussion into reality was the key takeaway from the conference with thought-provoking discussion from right across the Irish sporting landscape, from Judo to Gymnastics, Olympic Handball to Cricket.

Minister of State for Sports and Tourism, Patrick O’Donovan’s opening address praised the willingness of all parties to be open when tackling challenges faced, while calling on all sporting organisations to invest in greater transparency and accountability.

Read More: Minister Pulls no Punches

Federation of Irish Sport CEO, James Galvin spoke of Ireland still playing catch up with the UK Sports Council which was formed in 1970, and reiterated the need for National Governing Bodies to diversify their funding models.

2into3 Director, Dennis O’Connor presented a funding model for sport in Ireland, research methodology, and a breakdown of funding model of all NGBs.

An emphasis was put on the comparison between the funding models of ‘the big three’ Governing bodies in the GAA, Rugby and Soccer and the other smaller organisations.

Ireland’s comparatively low per capita philanthropy contribution of €183 was highlighted by 2 Into 3 Director Dennis O’Connor and there was a strong focus on how philanthropy can be used as a serious and viable funding stream for sport.

It has the real potential to be worth in the region of €100 million to Irish sport and there are already a number of conversations underway with ambitious sporting organisations to unlock that.

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2Into3 is a full member of Sport for Business and is working with us on the fundraising elements of a Sports Club Roadshow we are planning for November 2017.  Here is a look at what we do.

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The Irish Sailing Foundation has pioneered the diversification of income approach and Executive Director Jack Gleeson, speaking on the afternoon attributed the success of the Foundation down to five elements:

  • The support received from the Irish Sailing Association
  • High performance coaching team
  • The Benefactors
  • Significant Fundraising Strategy Development conducted by 2into3
  • Support from Sport Ireland

Keynote speaker Sara Liebscher, Senior Director of Athletics Advancement at the University of Notre Dame detailed the philanthropic journey, the systems and processes on which it is based, and stressed the importance of relationships in the pursuit of philanthropy.

Liebscher believes Irish organisations by nature are predisposed to excel in this form of relationship based fundraising. However, there were key elements which she believed needed to be put in place to create a best in class approach.

  • Build a ‘gold star’ fundraising structure within your organisation
  • Become more data driven improve your ability to identify donors
  • Establish and leverage an advisory council

Sport for Business this week hosted a Round Table event on Data Driven Decision Making featuring input from the GAA, Intel, Velocidi, Livewire and others.

Rob hartnett of Sport for Business sits on the Commercial Advisory Group put in place in 2015 by Paralympics Ireland.

Liebschers’ final advice of “fundraise with an ambition, a process and a keen sense of why you are asking and why donors will give” will hopefully dawn a new era and new attitudes towards philanthropy for sport in Ireland.

Join us on Wednesday June 14th for Unleashing Content where we will hear how Red Bull have built a global media brand on sports and cultural content, how the world of media is shaping up to new forms of content, how that is measured and how athletes fit into the new picture. See the full timetable and secure your place here.