interview THE PERFECT PARTNERSHIP
Justin Kilcullen, Director of Trócaire, outlines the challenges the charity will face in 2011 and why charitable support from businesses is becoming increasingly important. What have been your big projects in 2010? With and through our partners, Trócaire works with poor and marginalised people to tackle poverty and injustice in 27 developing countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America and the Middle East. During 2010 we also responded in a substantive way to the extensive flooding in Pakistan while also dealing with the humanitarian impact of the earthquake in Haiti. What have you planned for 2011? Key fundraising initiatives in the year included our annual Lenten Appeal and Schools Fast as well as the Trócaire Christmas Global Gift campaign. In addition we launched a very successful fundraising partnership with Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann, ‘Trad for Trócaire’ in 2010. How has the current economic climate impacted on your fundraising and donations you have received? The deteriorating state of government finances, and consequent cuts in overseas development aid, has impacted heavily on our work this year. We expect more cuts over the next few years, cuts which will impact most heavily on poor families and communities in countries where we work. The Irish public, despite the recession, continue to respond most generously to international development work and we are also grateful to companies like Supermacs who currently support that work. We will however be looking to the wider business community to increase its support for our work in 2011 and beyond. What benefits would a business receive from supporting a charity like Trócaire? As a key player in the Irish development sector with very high brand recognition and an extensive supporter base, a business association with Trócaire would reflect positively on staff and strengthen relationships with customers and vendors. It would also reinforce a company’s credentials as a socially responsible business.
How did you become involved with Supermacs? Supermacs have been supporters of our work over many years. Thanks to its founder and Managing Director, Pat McDonagh, its loyal staff and broad customer base, they have responded readily, and without prompting, to emergency humanitarian appeals as well as raising thousands of euro for our core work.
The Irish public, despite the recession, continue to respond most generously to international development work and we are also grateful to companies like Supermacs who currently support that work. ABOUT TRÓCAIRE In three years time, Trócaire will celebrate its 40th birthday. With a core staff of about 300 and some brave and determined partners around the world, they have responded to the wishes of the Irish people for the last 37 years and changed the lives of countless thousands of poor and vulnerable people.
Are there any specific ways you generally work with businesses that wish to support you? Because every business is unique we know that any company will want to support us in a way that suits it. So, whether it’s a small company that wants to support a specific project, or a larger company looking for a more strategic partnership, Trócaire will explore the partnership that best suit the company.
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY DIRECTORY 2011
CSR 85