# Call for support from government for Irish Philanthropy

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2008/02/25/call-support-government-irish-philanthropy/
- Published: 2008-02-25T10:25:00+00:00
- Author: Howard Lake

A symposium at the US Embassy in Dublin aimed at highlighting what can be learned
from the American philanthropic experience has heard a call for the Irish government
to develop more supportive public policies.

US ambassador Thomas Foley listed a number of tax policies that would encourage 
the expansion of philanthropy, including excluding charitable donations from the
50 percent of income and €250,000 per year caps on tax relief, allowing tax deductions
for gifts other than cash and abolishing VAT for charities.

The symposium was attended by representatives from the philanthropic world in Ireland
and major foundations and charities from the United States such as Memorial Sloan-
Kettering Cancer Center and Harvard Foundation.

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Mr Foley identified five elements that must be present if philanthropy is to thrive–
a generous culture, financial capacity, philanthropic infrastructure, supportive
public policy and supportive public attitudes.

Mr Foley acknowledged that the US model might not be exactly right for Ireland but
he said the challenge was to develop policies that best support the growth of philanthropy
in Ireland.

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