Philanthropy 

Philanthropy  

IGNITE LASTING CHANGE FOR CHILDREN

At UNICEF, we believe that every child, everywhere, has the right to be healthy, educated, and safe. Our philanthropic partners share that belief.

These are individuals, families, and private foundations whose values and philanthropic vision align with UNICEF’s mission and unrivalled impact for children.

By investing their resources and leveraging their influence to create meaningful, sustainable change for children globally, they define their legacy of hope and help to shape the future.

If you or your family are considering a five- or six-figure gift, please get in touch to explore opportunities for support that resonate with your personal philanthropic vision.

In Haiti, a student poses with a newly-received UNICEF backpack during a Back to School Ceremony at the School Saint-Anne in Les Cayes.
© UNICEF/UN0532220/Rouzier

Get in touch

If you are an individual or family, a private foundation, or a wealth advisor interested in learning more about philanthropy at UNICEF, we would love to hear from you.

You can contact us at philanthropy@unicef.ie and a member of our Philanthropy Team will be in touch.

Alternatively, you can get in contact using the online form.

Enquiries and donations are managed with the utmost confidence.

Philanthropy Team

Donna Marie O’Donovan, Head of Philanthropy
Megan Frischmeyer, Philanthropy Officer

 

Contact Us

Transformative support


UNICEF relies entirely on voluntary contributions to support our work for children. Philanthropy is a vital and catalytic part of that support.

Backed by philanthropists worldwide and across Ireland, UNICEF teams are on the ground in over 190 countries and territories protecting the lives and rights of vulnerable children.

We work with global partners, national governments, and local communities to address the needs of children in the most effective and sustainable way. And in humanitarian emergencies, UNICEF knows that children’s needs don’t end when the news cycle moves on, which is why our expert teams are present before, during, and after a crisis.

A philanthropic partnership with UNICEF can spark innovative solutions for the world’s toughest challenges. From eradicating polio, to achieving gender equality, and tackling the climate crisisphilanthropic leaders are crucial for accelerating the way forward.

Become a Philanthropist


Contact us to speak to a dedicated Philanthropy manager to learn more about how you can make an impact for children.

Our 2022 Annual Report


View our 2022 Annual Report to learn more about UNICEF Ireland and the impact that Irish contributions to UNICEF are having for children around the world.

Request a Programme Summary


Get in touch to request information on any of our programmes and discover the work that UNICEF does across our key priority areas for children.

Putting you in control of your philanthropic journey


Philanthropic support allows UNICEF to provide long-term and sustainable change for the world’s children. Because we partner with governments, local communities, and the private sector, we are able to target inequality at its root and successfully scale up programmes and innovations for global impact.

As a philanthropic partner, you can engage on a deeper level with UNICEF’s work for children.

If you are considering becoming a UNICEF philanthropist, please get in touch to discover how you can make a transformative impact for children that aligns with your personal philanthropic vision.

Pictured: Maria Ahlström-Bondestam, UNICEF philanthropist and inaugural Chair of the UNICEF International Council.

 

UNICEF philanthropist and International Council member Maria Ahlström-Bondestam (far right) at the 2023 International Council Symposium in Mexico.
© UNICEF/UNI517484/Diaz

A Dedicated Relationship Manager

Your dedicated relationship manager will get to know your values and vision for your philanthropy. We can then build a strategy for support around the UNICEF programmes that will achieve the most meaningful impact for you.

Tailored Reporting

We keep you up-to-date with how your donation has impacted children through timely, tailored reporting. We will also keep you informed on other priority areas so that you can get a holistic view of the work of UNICEF.

Opportunities to Engage

You will be invited to UNICEF Ireland events, virtual experiences, private briefings with programme specialists, and be provided opportunities to see UNICEF’s operations in action (subject to giving levels).

Why UNICEF?

UNICEF is the world’s leading organisation for children. Over 78 years, UNICEF has saved the lives of more children than any other organisation.

We ensure that more of the world’s children are healthy, educated, protected and respected than anyone else. We’ve also done more to influence laws and policies to help protect children globally. We get things done. And we’re not going to stop until the world is a safe place for every child.

UNICEF works across strategic goal areas to ensure that every child:

Unrivalled impact for children


Children play with each other in an Afghan refugee community on July 18, 2023 in, Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
© UNICEF/UNI417779/Bashir
UNICEF Supply Division in Copenhagen is the world's largest humanitarian warehouse.
© UNICEF/UN0707932/Asamoah

Systems change


  • As part of the United Nations, UNICEF has significant convening power and is uniquely positioned to bring together international, national and local leaders to find sustainable solutions for children to avoid piecemeal, project-based, short-term solutions.
  • UNICEF has unique technical expertise in large-scale systems strengthening across priority areas of health, nutrition, water, education, sanitation and hygiene.
  • As one of the world’s largest buyers of lifesaving supplies such as vaccines and ready-to-use therapeutic food, UNICEF has unique leverage with suppliers. As the largest single vaccine buyer globally and with the largest humanitarian supply warehouse in the world (pictured), UNICEF can achieve economies of scale and influence markets.

Emergency response and readiness


Israa, a 3-year-old, eats a piece of bread while standing in front of her family’s tent in Khan Younis city, south of the Gaza Strip. “The very loud sounds of bombing scare me. A big fire comes out. I'm afraid it will burn me,” Israa says. “I want my toys and my bed, not this tent” she added.
© UNICEF/UNI497822/Zagout
On 4 December 2023 during the 2023 UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) at Expo City Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, Thomas Davin, Director of the UNICEF Office of Innovation, speaks during a conversation to launch ‘Innovation30: Young Climate Innovators Shaping the Future’.
© UNICEF/UNI482919/Maged Helal

Pioneering innovation and research


Ways to give

Whether you or your family are considering a significant one-time gift, exploring options for targeted or flexible support, or would like to invest in a bespoke philanthropic partnership, our dedicated Philanthropy team will work with you to realise your wishes and make a meaningful difference for the world’s children.

At UNICEF Ireland, we support donors to manage their personal philanthropic giving through whatever channel works best for them, be it through a donor-advised fund, trust, family foundation, private business, or other financial entity.

Please get in touch to explore options with UNICEF Ireland’s Philanthropy team.

Get in touch

If you are an individual or family, a private foundation, or a wealth advisor interested in learning more about philanthropy at UNICEF, we would love to hear from you.

You can contact us at philanthropy@unicef.ie and a member of our Philanthropy Team will be in touch.

Alternatively, you can get in contact using the online form.

Enquiries and donations are managed with the utmost confidence.

Philanthropy Team

Donna Marie O’Donovan, Head of Philanthropy
Megan Frischmeyer, Philanthropy Officer

 

Contact Us

More about UNICEF

History of UNICEF

Discover the history of UNICEF, a global organisation founded in the aftermath of WWII.

How UNICEF works

Find out how UNICEF works to drive change for children and young people.

UNICEF’s results

Review the life-changing results that UNICEF delivers for children globally.

FAQs

Explore Frequently Asked Questions about UNICEF.

UNICEF and the SDGs

Learn how UNICEF works with partners to help ensure the Sustainable Development Goals deliver results for every child – now and for generations to come.

UNICEF International Council

Learn about our unique global philanthropy community, the UNICEF International Council.

UNICEF Corporate Partnerships

Discover corporate partnership opportunities at UNICEF.

From left to right, Giang Thi Ly (class 4A), Ma Thi Do (class 4A) sharing room #4 at Sin Cheng semi boarding ethnic lower secondary school.
© UNICEF/UNI220433/Viet Hung
UNICEF Ireland

UNICEF Ireland, also known as the Irish National Committee for UNICEF, is one of 33 UNICEF National Committees around the world that serve as the public face and dedicated voice of UNICEF.

The National Committees work tirelessly to raise funds from the private sector, promote children’s rights and secure worldwide visibility for children threatened by poverty, disasters, armed conflict, abuse and exploitation.

UNICEF Ireland’s charity registration number is 5616. To ensure maximum transparency and accountability, UNICEF Ireland is also a registered company in Ireland. Our company registration number is 371124.

UNICEF Ireland’s 2022 Annual Report includes our fully audited accounts.

Thank you for your interest in UNICEF‘s work for children.

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