Aisling Nolan, Head of Partnerships and Philanthropy Focus Ireland and President Elect Soroptimist International Republic of Ireland
Aisling Nolan is Head of Partnerships and Philanthropy for Focus Ireland, the leading homeless and housing charity. She oversees the acquisition and stewardship of all transformative partnerships and gifts to the charity. She has worked in the not-for-profit sector for over a decade and has previously held roles with the international aid agency GOAL and with the fundraising foundation for NUI Galway- Galway University Foundation.
Aisling was the co-founder of the social enterprise 'Mapping Belfast Musically' with Dr Kayla Rush, a project which ethnographically mapped music across the diverse political and musical landscapes of Belfast city.
Alongside her role in Focus Ireland, Aisling is current President-Elect of Soroptimist International Great Britain and Ireland. This global volunteer organisation works to promote the rights of women and girls worldwide.
In Ireland, this is done through girls public speaking, which Aisling is a strong advocate for and passionate about. She is a graduate of both NUI Galway and Queens University Belfast, where she obtained a BA Connect with Irish Studies and a Masters in Social Anthropology.
She further holds a certificate in Fundraising and a Diploma in Fundraising Management from the Charities Institute of Ireland, which the European Fundraising Association accredits. Aisling is a current mentee with the Tony Eilischer Foundation, the only Irish participant, which is a global programme to develop and nurture talented fundraising leaders worldwide.
What is your favourite social media platform, and why?
I really enjoy being on LinkedIn. I have learned a great deal through some very engaging and thought-provoking posts, their short courses and have made some incredible connections. I love reading about people's successes and learning. It is great to be able to share those professional wins and get feedback from your network.
Tell us about you and your current role or area of interest.
My name is Aisling, and I am a professional fundraiser, public speaking advocate and coach and President-Elect of the Soroptimist International Republic of Ireland. I am currently the Head of Partnerships and Philanthropy for Focus Ireland, a job that I love. I've worked with Focus Ireland for over three years, and it has been such a pleasure. It's hard work, no days are the same, but I get to work alongside some incredible people and be involved with amazing projects, which make no two days the same and I have yet to have a Monday where I didn't want to get out of bed for work.
As I mentioned, I am President-Elect of the Soroptimist International Republic of Ireland. I first got involved with the Soroptimists as a 16-year-old student and took part in the girls public speaking competition. It took me three attempts to win the competition! I was very determined! So, it's a full-circle moment for me to now be stepping into this role.
Founded in 1921, Soroptimist International is a global volunteer movement with a network of around 72,000 club members in 121 countries. The organisation places service to the community, empowerment of women and girls and friendship at its core. I firmly believe that what was started 100 years ago, women who wanted to serve their communities, form lasting friendships, and empower other women and girls, is as relevant and inspiring today as it was then.
What do you like about your career or area of focus?
I feel very privileged to be working in a charity such as Focus Ireland to play my small part in working to end homelessness in Ireland. Every day I get to hear incredible stories of resilience of determination, and I am always so inspired by the people we work for. My colleagues in services deliver expert, professional and compassion to help those who need it most, and I count myself so lucky to work to ensure those services are funded.
I work almost as a conduit for generous companies and people who want to make a transformative difference to Irish society and empower them to release their goals and ambitions with a partnership and gift. That is a massive driving factor for me. Helping shape someone's decision to give is not something I take likely. However, it is often a life-changing decision for the individual and is a defining and shaping moment for a company to make a transformation gift.
Something I am very passionate about and know there are great steps and learnings to be had in the Irish market in strategic philanthropy. Irish people are very generous and always rise to the occasion and support when called upon, but I know we can do so much more and really see some transformative gifts delivered to charities. I see the biggest opportunity for fundraising in Ireland as 'Big Philanthropy'.
We need to develop Major Giving in Ireland and advocate for Big Philanthropy, a concept that was first initiated in the US. On average, over 88% of funds come from 12% of the population in a state. However, Ireland's wealthiest are not as engaged in Major Giving as their international counterparts are. As leaders in this space, our sector is responsible for starting that conversation and making space available for those conversations with donors to happen.
We can’t assume that someone knows we are here, what the need of our organisation is, and how they can best give. I am looking forward to the years ahead to being involved in that sector conversation and realising some change in our giving patterns for the next generation of philanthropists and transformational charity partnerships.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
There have been a couple of pieces of advice that I have gotten that I always go back to:
First, one seems so simple but is great life advice that my friend and colleague Elizabeth said to me 'If you are unsure, ask for clarity. It doesn't make you seem any way less or stupid, and it shows you are confident enough in yourself to say I'm not sure in this moment'. I have used her guidance so many times and have shared it, and she is totally right.
I had a boss several years ago. I always say he had one of the biggest impacts on my career as he gave me so many opportunities to prove myself and step up and gave me such valuable insight into the work of business. We travelled a lot, and it was those conversations sitting in airport lounges or walking to events that have stood with me.
I remember one St Patrick's Day we were in Toronto on our way to Ireland funds of Canada dinner, and he said, 'Aisling, always take up space. Don't shrink yourself because you feel intimidated or think you don't belong - you do. Some people will make spaces for you and invite you in, and sometimes you will have to make it for yourself.'
I think Michelle Obama paraphrases later, but I always give the original credit to Tom Joyce!
What inspires you, motivates you, or helps you to move forward?
One of my core values in life is service. I want to work and live my life in a way that makes society a better place. This world can be such a sad place, and humans can treat each other in the cruellest of ways, and life can be so unfairly hard to those who don't deserve it. So, if I can make things better, help someone out, or bring some kindness back to the world, I'm going to try to do that in some small way.
I also think, remaining hopeful that change is possible. Working in the sector I do and hearing incredible stories, and working with donors, colleagues and leaders who really believe in the work we do, believe that this situation we see in society isn't acceptable and know we can make a difference is so inspiring and keeps me motivated to do better always.
My dad died when I was ten years old, he missed out on seeing us grow up and flourish, and I often think about the life and ambitions he had for himself and what he envisioned for us.
That often frames things for me. If I am questioning whether I should do something, ask the question, or put myself forward – I know that life is a privilege and what we get to do and experience every day we shouldn't take for granted. No one knows when it won't be here, so we should just go for it and to the best of our ability. I hope I have made him proud so far.
What are you proud of in your life so far?
Wow, big question! I think there are two things: one that I have made some difference. I know there is so much more for me to do, but I am proud of the work I have done and been involved in that has made a difference in people's lives. And two, I always intend to be good, kind, generous and compassionate in my actions.
What is your preferred way to meet new people/network?
In-person, I am an extrovert and love making connections. I am a natural networker (some would call it a natural talker), but I am inherently curious and love to find out about people, who they are, what drives them, what they do in life. It is probably why I have chosen a career in fundraising. This past 18 months where that all was removed, and we had to adapt was hard going, but it has also shown me what's possible.
What skills or qualities do you feel have helped you?
Resilience, drive, determination: Fundraising is a hard job. There are many days when you are knocked back, and things don't succeed. You often hear more no's than yeses. So, having those three qualities, I think, has helped me greatly. I am endlessly passionate about my work, both in Focus Ireland and in Soroptimist. I think having that as a driving and motivating factor not only has helped but has made me want to learn more, do better and hopefully motivate and inspire those around me to feel the same.
What do you wish you had known when you started out?
Pace yourself! I think to be my own biggest advocate, and that speaking up when you need something, want to be involved, or when something isn't right will be hard but very much worth it in the long run.
Who do you most admire in business, academic or creative circles and why?
There are some incredible people who I've worked with, heard speaking or who I have admired from afar. And all who I have taken some great learnings from.
I think Lisa Kealy from EY is amazing. She is so humble in her incredible achievements but also so giving of her time. I love that she is so fully herself in all her professional interactions, demonstrating that you can be kind, warm and caring, but also ambitious and professional. They can exist side by side and should be core to your success, not hindered by it. I really enjoy speaking with her and coming away, always so awed.
Louise Phelan, former of PayPal and current CEO of Phelan Energy, for similar reasons. She brings her whole self to what she does. I love her energy and how she has championed so many women in her career.
Outside of your professional/work area, what hobbies or interests do you have or what other areas of your life are of real importance to you?
My friends and family will tell you it's my little Westie dog Lucy, and I am a bit obsessed with her. She is currently sitting outside, sunning herself, looking in at me on the laptop!
Has the pandemic had a positive or a negative effect on you and/or your business, and how have you managed it?
Both - people are very generous and recognised our sector was in need of support, but it has been tough on our teams and colleagues. We have colleagues we have never met in person, who only have worked from home. So, that is hard going.
Do you have a mentor, or have you ever mentored anyone?
I do! I have an incredible mentor at the moment in Louise Morris, a leading major gift expert and fundraising consultant!
What advice would you have for someone looking to get into the same area of work or interests?
Talk to fundraisers! Invite them for a coffee and get a real sense of what the sector is like. A lot of 'people fall into fundraising', and it would be amazing to see people start to choose this as their career.
What do you feel is the most common reason for people failing or giving up?
Fear.
Is there a phrase, quote or a saying that you really like?
"Every day is a school day!"
What companies, brands, or institutions do you like or do you think are getting it right?
I've been impressed with some smaller Irish brands lately. Rosie & Dott are brilliant; their service is fantastic and a great brand story.
How do you define success, and what lessons have you learned so far that you could share with our audience/readership?
Success is making a difference and being happy with yourself.