Focus Ireland: A Place Called HomeCHECK

The situation

In 2021 Focus Ireland had a strong base of supporters and a homelessness crisis that was getting worse. It needed philanthropy at a scale it had not raised before, and its board needed to know the goal was achievable before committing to it in public. The organisation wanted a campaign that would leave a stronger fundraising team behind, not one that depended on outside help.

What we did

The planning phase began in October 2021. We held confidential conversations with 28 individuals, companies, and long-standing supporters, and surveyed a wider group. The conversations tested three fundable priorities - families, children, and young people - and a five-year goal.

The answer was clear enough for the board to commit. We recommended a €30 million goal, a Philanthropy Council co-chaired by the CEO and an external business leader, and a quiet phase to secure lead gifts before any public launch.

We then designed the campaign and worked alongside the Partnerships and Philanthropy team throughout: building the prospect pipeline, preparing every lead gift conversation, and training the team to brief and ask.

What changed

The campaign raised and pledged €39 million against its €30 million goal and was named Campaign of the Year at the 2023 Charity Excellence Awards. Focus Ireland’s team now runs its own major gift programme. In 2026 the organisation asked us back for a second planning phase.

Aisling Nolan, who led Focus Ireland’s in-house team through the campaign, has since joined Cōnsilium as Consulting Director.