By Denise Charlton
International Women’s Day offers a moment to reflect on the leadership and impact of women and girls in addressing complex challenges facing our people, place and planet.
‘Rights. Justice. Action. For All Women and Girls’ is the special United Nation’s designated theme for the day.
A rallying call which we at Community Foundation Ireland work to respond to every day.
On this special day it would be remiss not to reflect on some of the challenges that are presenting in this uncertain world of ours. Hard‑won rights for women and girls are under pressure across continents—through the rollback of reproductive freedoms, the rise of digital misogyny, democratic backsliding, violent conflict, the rise of domestic and sexual violence, and the rapid advance of technologies that risk embedding old inequalities in new forms.
We see the real‑world consequences of these shifts every day: girls denied education because of conflict or extremism, women facing unprecedented levels of targeted abuse online (or indeed offline), and the cost‑of‑living crisis disproportionately impacting women.
Yet this is not a moment for despair. It is a moment for resolve. Across the world, women are not only responding to these challenges, but they are also redesigning the systems that created them.
They are leading climate‑justice movements, pioneering restorative approaches to peace and security, driving community‑resilience to strengthen entire societies and reshaping philanthropy.
Through our work, we meet extraordinary women every day who are confronting inequality head‑on, advancing bold action to address the climate and nature emergency, championing the rights of their communities, providing shelter and legal protections to those in danger.
Whether community workers, advocates, researchers, academics, or philanthropists, they are bound by a shared vision—a belief in a society that is better, fairer, and stronger. A belief that will be hard fought for over the coming decade.
It is a privilege for those of us at the Community Foundation to witness the impacts of all these amazing individuals or groups – and how collectively they are a formidable agent of change.
Values Driven Strategic Giving
New research by the Community Foundation in partnership with Trinity College Dublin, ‘Women and Philanthropy in Ireland: From hidden presence to recognised influence’ gives us an unprecedented insight into some of the most thoughtful and strategic giving happening in our country’.
It tells us many things, highlighting that women philanthropists are increasingly shaping the agenda for social change. Their giving is intentional, relational, and rooted in justice. The approach is transforming what philanthropy can be.
What is striking is the thoughtful values led motivation not just in terms of financial support but that thirst to become informed, involved and to act on issues which hold a deep or personal resonance. Often extending their contribution to offer their own life experience, skills and insight.
This can be seen in the philanthropic support for work and projects to expand access to education, create opportunities for young people, strengthen families, and assisting those experiencing poverty, displacement, or violence.
Resources are going where they are needed most: tackling violence, supporting migrants and refugees, expanding educational opportunity, strengthening mental health supports.
Women donors assist frontline organisations to innovate, respond quickly, and plan for the long term. They are also champion community-led climate action, local resilience, and initiatives that build connection and belonging, ensuring communities have the tools to thrive in an uncertain century.
The result is a form of giving that is empathetic, strategic, and deeply rooted in social justice. When women lead in philanthropy, resources flow toward lasting impact, stronger communities, and a more equitable future for everyone.
As a philanthropic hub we are proud to partner with visionary women philanthropists, offering them our expertise, knowledge and insights.
Using our connectivity to 5,000 voluntary, community and charitable partners as well as expert researchers and advocates there is an ability to identify where change is needed most and to match that with the interest, ambition and vision of donors.
Working together we can overcome the biggest of challenges, we can transform lives and entire communities for the better.
Just to then focus on some of those examples over the past 25 years:
In Dublin’s North Inner City, community leaders who share our values and mission are dedicated to stop children and teenagers falling into drug/addiction and others seeking to exploit and abuse their young lives.
Recognising the value of access to education and training, A women led Fund at Community Foundation Ireland has been supporting innovative and new ways to get children learning and remain in school despite these and other external pressures.
From its Dublin 1 learning lab the work of the Early Learning Initiative is transformative for parents and children, its innovative approach of engagement, home visits and supports, and proactive education is providing a model for others to follow.
Starting with grants of seed funding for local projects, the donor widened its initial intention informed and guided by the insights of the Community Foundation.
Ground breaking research on the denial of community education opportunities for lone parents led to the development of a blueprint to open that access by providing reliable childcare, financial supports and learning spaces.
A blueprint now informing the work of our on the ground partners, public agencies as well as future planning in this area.
From philanthropic support to delivery on the ground, to widening that impact by partnering with researchers and academics the leadership of women threads right through this thoughtful, insightful and strategic work.
We remain in a moment when our society must come to terms with the level of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence – and end it.
Through individual and family funds as well as our corporate partners women are leading in forming a response to a national crisis, where one-in-four women have been abused by a current or former partner.
Access to places of safety and refuge for women and children seeking shelter from violent and abusive homes is not uniform across our country.
Through a partnership with Community Foundation Ireland a woman donor supported the first ever refuge in the region through West Cork Beacon, a service providing safe, confidential, non-judgemental, trauma informed, free support service for women experiencing domestic abuse and for anyone experiencing sexual violence.
An intervention responding to immediate need which also raised awareness by attracting significant media attention.
A strategic action which also highlights the bravery and courage which philanthropy can bring when other sources of support fall short. The role of West Cork Beacon is now recognised at Government level and with the foresight of the philanthropic giving paving the way to secure extra much needed supports. Other donors have stepped in the develop of other much needed services – helplines, outreach and court accompaniment.
Strategic approaches really do deliver. The interest and influence of daughters on a family fund began a journey which has in a relatively short period of time transformed our national understanding of consent.
A conversation with the Foundation about rising levels of tolerance towards sexual violence
The opportunity to support and engage with initial pioneering research, which captured the nob of the issue. While 3 out of 4 people believed we lived in a society with issues around consent, similar numbers could not define it.
The family fund responded by supporting the development and roll out of the We Consent awareness campaign – an Irish first.
Both actions have brought us to where we are today with classes across all educational curricula and a new State Agency Cuan taking the baton in facilitating national conversations.
Profiteering from abuse and exploitation are crimes which have moved online and into the toxicity of the manosphere. It is hugely challenging.
Women donors to the Foundation have been key in the development of the Sexual Exploitation Research and Policy (SERP) Institute.
A unique independent source of knowledge informing the national response to online prostitution, violent porn and the protection of children vulnerable to entrapment and abuse.
Our work here is far from complete; the challenge remains with those profiting by violating rights determined to fight every progressive step.
In this and many other areas the team at Community Foundation Ireland can provide insights of where change is needed the most and the expertise on how to respond effectively.
All our equality work takes place against the backdrop of the biggest crisis of all, the emergency in climate and nature.
The images of flooded towns, devastated communities and our saturated landscape beamed into televisions, tablets and phones in recent weeks are the grim answer to those who stubbornly question the science of climate change.
It is real. It is getting worse. It is now impacting people every day in our communities, country and on our planet.
Climate change is a threat multiplier – those who are impacted the most are those who have contributed the least in creating an unprecedented crisis.
The threat is multi-faceted. The United Nations is clear women and girls are impacted more. In the next 25-years, 150 million more women will be pushed into poverty with 236 million more pushed into hunger. Figures so huge they are impossible to comprehend.
There will be more sexual violence and exploitation driven by mass movements of people as entire societies and countries becoming un-inhabitable or literally sinking into the sea.
Across our planet women’s voices are excluded or pushed aside. The leadership of women in philanthropy is crucial – we must act to assist those denied a voice but forced to shoulder the biggest burden.
What is emerging in this space is shared and collaborative responses. Future actions informed by models of best practice. An example to share is The Mayo Sustainability Fund, a joint initiative of Community Foundation Ireland and the Sunflower Charitable Foundation has successfully attracted further philanthropic interest and ultimately support for on-the ground actions. Bogs are being rewetted, land protected, invasive species retracted, community working together to ensure climate resilience, motivated by place and inclusiveness.
What has been provided is a model which others are now following.
There are truly transformative projects like Refarm Ireland with a mission to scale nature-positive practices on farmland in Ireland. Practices needed to end pollution, clean up our water, protect wildlife and end the stripping of our natural resources.
These on-the-ground actions coupled with support for those who hold Government and others to account by using the tools of advocacy and the law are how we will take on a crisis which at times can seem daunting and impossible.
It is clear from the motivations; the values and the commitment identified in this research that women philanthropists must continue to have a leadership role here.
Acting as individuals or contributors to family philanthropy the thoughtfulness, the leadership and the values which women bring in supporting our equality mission is clear. The research has highlighted the contribution, impact, motivations and partnership needed.
As we join campaigners worldwide in responding to the United Nation’s rallying call it is important that we also to acknowledge those women who are decision-makers and guide corporate philanthropy, delivering benefits in every county. Agents of change that also influence the philanthropic giving and impact.
Working with the Community Foundation they have taken a corporate necessity and transformed it into something far more thoughtful, powerful and impactful.
The RTÉ Toy Show Appeal delivering for 1.1 million children and their families each year, the hundreds of projects supported by the Community Fund at Bank of Ireland and so many more. The drive, determination and the thoughtfulness here is truly transformative.
As we look ahead, several truths are clear: Climate and nature emergencies will intensify. Technology—including AI—will reshape how we live, learn, and participate in democracy. Disinformation and extremism will target women’s rights. Inequalities will deepen unless we act collectively and ambitiously. And yet—this future is not pre‑written. Women will shape it. Philanthropy will shape it. Civil society will shape it.
Together we can build a world where rights are protected, where equality is real, where communities are resilient, and where every woman and girl is free to live with safety, dignity, and opportunity. On this International Women’s Day, let us commit not only to celebrating the progress made—but to accelerating the progress still to come.
Denise Charlton is Chief Executive of Community Foundation Ireland
If you have been inspired by this article, the next step is to check out our Strategic Giving Page.
Find out more about Women in Philanthropy.
© 2026 Community Foundation Ireland
Company Registration No: 338427 Charity No: CHY 13967 Registered Charity Number (RCN): 20044886
