Mind the Gap: New Research Highlights Opportunities and Challenges for Irish Fundraisers

Charities Institute Ireland, the national membership body representing over 325 member organisations across the charity sector, commissioned nfpResearch to conduct benchmarking research with its members as the first wave of what it envisions becoming a multi-year research programme. The aim is to identify emerging trends, track sector sentiment, and foster information sharing between organisations to strengthen fundraising and organisational resilience across Ireland.

The initial findings of this important study were presented last month at the Fundraising Summer School, where Jane Trenaman and Cian Murphy shared early insights with sector professionals. The presentation sparked valuable discussion on how fundraisers can navigate both opportunities and persistent challenges in the evolving fundraising landscape.

Key Findings: Room for Optimism, but Mind the Gaps

The research engaged 235 member organisations, who participated through surveys and in-depth interviews with senior fundraising and data experts. The results reveal a sector characterized by cautious optimism. Approximately one-third of organisations reported income growth in the previous year and are hopeful about further gains over the next 12 months. However, many face structural challenges that restrict sustainable investment and innovation.

A recurring theme was the difficulty fundraisers encounter in making the case for longer-term investment, particularly with some internal stakeholders—such as boards and finance teams—favouring short-term returns. This reluctance hampers growth in key areas like digital fundraising and legacy giving, both identified as critical opportunities for sector development.

Data: Valued, but Not Yet Fully Leveraged

Data is widely recognized as central to modern fundraising, yet many organisations struggle to fully harness its potential. While over half of respondents segment donor data, advanced analytics remain rare. Limited expertise, resource constraints, and insufficient training hold many back from deeper data use.

CRM systems are another double-edged sword: often a source of frustration due to outdated setups or lack of investment, but also a key opportunity if properly supported. As one fundraiser noted, “CRM doesn’t make your life easier… It takes time.”

Artificial Intelligence: Cautious Curiosity

The study also explored attitudes toward AI and emerging technologies. While some organisations are beginning to experiment with tools like ChatGPT for drafting donor communications or event content, many remain hesitant to adopt AI fully—particularly where it might affect personal donor relationships, which fundraisers see as foundational.

Challenges and Opportunities

Fundraisers identified a range of pressing challenges, including public trust, increased competition for funding, staffing shortages, and rapidly changing technology. Yet alongside these challenges, there is clear appetite for innovation. Digital fundraising remains underdeveloped, legacy income is widely seen as a “sleeping giant,” and partnerships with corporates and trusts continue to deliver strong results. Several respondents called for more sector-wide innovation, risk-taking, and tailored supports—especially for small and medium-sized charities.

What’s Next?

The presentation closed with calls to action for government, boards, and charity leadership. Recommendations included the need for multiyear funding models, targeted digital grants, and stronger leadership to foster a culture that values data-driven decision-making.

The full report will be published and shared with all members of Charities Institute Ireland later this summer. It promises to be an essential resource for fundraisers and charity leaders seeking to build sustainable, data-informed fundraising strategies and enhance the resilience of their organisations.