At Philanthropy Ireland, we are committed to supporting philanthropists and grantmakers in making impactful and meaningful contributions. That’s why we were privileged to host Lisa Greer for an exclusive interview, facilitated by Darren Ryan from Onward and led by our CEO, Eilis Murray. The conversation sparked deep reflections on the evolving nature of philanthropy and donor engagement, offering invaluable takeaways for both the funders and fundraisers in the room, alike.
Building Authentic Relationships in Philanthropy
One of the key themes Lisa Greer highlighted is the importance of authentic relationships between donors and fundraisers. Too often, philanthropy can feel transactional, lacking the human trust necessary for long-term partnerships. Lisa’s perspective, as both a donor and an advocate for better donor engagement, sheds light on the need for mutual understanding.
“Philanthropy is a way of living a life with purpose.” – Lisa Greer
Lisa emphasised that philanthropy should not be about power imbalances but rather about meaningful collaboration. She encouraged fundraisers to see donors as partners rather than as mere sources of funding, while also challenging donors to engage more openly with the causes they support.
Lessons in Donor Engagement
Lisa shared her own experiences of entering the world of philanthropy, revealing the gaps in donor education. When she and her husband came into significant wealth, their instinct was to give back—but they quickly realised there was little guidance on how to do so effectively. This led her to advocate for better donor education and transparency within the sector.
A key point she raised was that many new donors, particularly younger generations, crave purpose-driven engagement but often face barriers to entry. The traditional fundraising approach—relying on formal events, annual reports, and transactional asks—fails to resonate with them. Instead, organisations should foster meaningful engagement through:
Clear and personalised communication
Transparency about needs and impact
Offering ways for donors to be involved beyond financial contributions
Challenging the Status Quo
Lisa also addressed the outdated structures within philanthropy, many of which were developed over a century ago and no longer reflect today’s donors’ expectations.
“We need to stop working so hard at remembering the ‘right words’ and instead remember that we’re all human.” – Lisa Greer
She advocated for breaking down rigid fundraising practices, including:
Moving away from an over-reliance on end-of-year giving cycles
Reducing the emphasis on formal gala events, which often deter younger donors
Encouraging fundraisers to develop genuine, long-term relationships with donors rather than one-off asks
Takeaways for the Irish Philanthropy Landscape
Ireland is still in the early stages of developing a strong philanthropic culture, which presents both challenges and opportunities. Lisa’s insights reinforce that we have the chance to shape philanthropy in a way that is fit for purpose today. As a sector, we must embrace:
A culture of trust-based philanthropy
More inclusive and accessible donor engagement strategies
Honest conversations about impact, risk, and sustainability
Looking Ahead
Lisa’s optimism for the future of philanthropy was one of the most powerful takeaways from the discussion. While challenges remain, she sees enormous potential in Ireland to develop a philanthropic culture that is modern, transparent, and deeply impactful.
“You don’t have the baggage of outdated traditions—this is your opportunity to create something that truly works.” – Lisa Greer
We extend our sincere thanks to Lisa for sharing her expertise, to Darren Ryan for facilitating, and to all who participated in this enriching discussion. At Philanthropy Ireland, we are excited to continue the conversation and work towards a more engaged and effective philanthropic sector.
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