Call for support from government for Irish Philanthropy

A symposium at the US Embassy in Dublin aimed at highlighting what can be learned from the American philanthropic experience has heard a call for the Irish government to develop more supportive public policies.

US ambassador Thomas Foley listed a number of tax policies that would encourage the expansion of philanthropy, including excluding charitable donations from the 50 percent of income and €250,000 per year caps on tax relief, allowing tax deductions for gifts other than cash and abolishing VAT for charities.

The symposium was attended by representatives from the philanthropic world in Ireland and major foundations and charities from the United States such as Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and Harvard Foundation.

Mr Foley identified five elements that must be present if philanthropy is to thrive – a generous culture, financial capacity, philanthropic infrastructure, supportive public policy and supportive public attitudes.

Mr Foley acknowledged that the US model might not be exactly right for Ireland but he said the challenge was to develop policies that best support the growth of philanthropy in Ireland.