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| 17 Jun 2025 | |
| Charity Sector News |
Charities Institute Ireland recently brought together fundraising directors and CEOs for a thought-provoking panel discussion exploring how nonprofit organisations can strategically align with the evolving ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) agendas of corporate partners.
As the ownership of social impact increasingly blurs across sectors, our expert panel examined what this means for charities hoping to build long-term, values-driven partnerships with business. Featuring ESG specialists, consultants, and thought leaders from Ireland and the UK, the session challenged attendees to rethink how they approach corporate engagement.
From Transactions to Transformation
Mary O’Kennedy (OKC) set the tone by urging charities to move beyond transactional relationships and embrace partnerships built on shared purpose. She cited homegrown examples such as AIB’s strategic work with FoodCloud and Vodafone Foundation’s shift from cheque-writing to meaningful collaboration. While noting that some multinationals are quietly scaling back ESG commitments, particularly in DEI, she highlighted that many Irish SMEs are leaning further into sustainability and social value. Her advice: before approaching a corporate partner, charities need to “get their own ESG house in order.”
Understanding Corporate Drivers
Jeremy Gould (CAF) underscored how political and linguistic shifts are changing the ESG landscape. With ESG reporting increasingly under scrutiny, charities must speak the language of business — fluency in frameworks, metrics, and compliance is no longer optional. He shared an example of a successful partnership with a UK building society where rigorous internal alignment and governance were key to building trust.
Cian Hurley (Mercer) brought the investor’s perspective, making a compelling case that ESG-aligned investments are not about sacrificing returns but about managing long-term risk. He warned of the growing trend of “green hushing” — where corporates pursue ESG goals quietly to avoid backlash — and urged charities to ensure their investment portfolios also align with their values. “You can’t champion sustainability in your partnerships while ignoring it in your financial practices,” he said.
Rethinking the Role of Charities
Ian MacQuillin (Rogare) argued that companies don’t necessarily need charities to tick their ESG boxes — many are developing their own social enterprises or internal programmes. To stay relevant, Ian suggested, charities must offer something transformative: bold ideas that address complex social challenges, not just support for existing CSR initiatives.
Jonathan Andrews (Remarkable Partnerships) echoed this, illustrating his point with Gymshark’s £180,000 fundraising campaign for Birmingham Women and Children's Hospital. Born from genuine staff insights and cultural alignment, the campaign showed that impactful partnerships come from deep listening and shared values — not just ESG alignment. Jonathan urged charities not to become “fixated on the vegetables” (i.e. ESG) and miss the full roast dinner of potential partnership strategies.
Key Takeaways for Charity Leaders
The conversation repeatedly returned to one central theme: charities must be proactive, strategic, and internally aligned to succeed in today’s partnership landscape. Among the most important takeaways for leaders:
As charities face growing income pressure and corporates navigate economic uncertainty, there’s never been a more important time for intelligent, values-driven collaboration. ESG isn’t the end goal — it’s the beginning of the conversation.
