Donegal Giving is a seed.
With the support of people, communities, and businesses,
it can grow into something even more powerful.
Donegal is a county known for its landscape and its people, with around 180,000 people living there (Central Statistics Office, April 2025), making it one of the most rural parts of Ireland.
Towns and villages are scattered across the county, where neighbours depend on each other, and have done so for generations. In the larger built-up urban areas some of this connection may have been lost, but there's still a warmth and friendliness in Donegal that deserves to be celebrated and encouraged.
This sense of closeness has fostered a strong spirit of helping, sharing, and looking out for one another — values that inspired the creation of Donegal Giving, to celebrate and strengthen that culture.
Donegal Giving didn't start with a big budget or a set plan. It started with conversations, with people offering their time, their skills, and their ideas. When students like Chloe and Keira became interns, they helped shape Donegal Giving from an idea into something real. At the same time, they gained experience and confidence. That's what giving looks like — where both sides benefit.
The idea is simple. People in Donegal already give in many ways. Businesses can offer internships or share their knowledge. Retired people can pass on their wisdom, or give a few hours a month to a local group. Community organisations can connect with others, sharing what they do and asking for support when needed.
Donegal Giving is not about money. It’s a not-for-profit project that belongs to everyone and no one. If support or funding ever comes in, it will go straight back into the initiative. What it really runs on is goodwill.
The future will depend on what people make of it. Maybe all schools throughout Donegal will one day receive the Transition Year Donegal Giving programme. Maybe government bodies will see value in it. Or maybe Donegal Giving will simply remain a space where people can share their stories and celebrate the kindness that already exists in Donegal.
Donegal’s motto is Mutuam Habeatis Caritatem which means "Have Love For One Another". This is at the heart of Donegal Giving. It is not about something new — it is about noticing, valuing, and building on what has always been part of life in this county.
This is the heart of it. Donegal Giving isn’t about downloadable apps or polished campaigns. It’s about people. It’s about acknowledging what’s already here, and building something together that celebrates giving in all its forms, for everyone in our community.
It’s about celebrating the giving that already happens in Donegal, and encouraging an ongoing culture of giving, through time, wisdom and the support we share as a county, and encouraging even more of it. We want to shine a light on what’s already there, and empower people, businesses, and community groups to give in ways that matter to them.
We’re not here to replace the fantastic work of Donegal volunteers — in fact, we’ll be signposting people to them!
Donegal Giving is about something broader. It’s about giving time, knowledge, opportunities, and wisdom; whether that’s mentoring a student, sharing skills with a local group, opening doors through your business, ideas, and by need. That’s what makes it exciting.
Everyone. Retired people who have a little more time. Businesses who want to open their doors through internships or Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Community groups who want to share what they do, or need support. Individuals who may just want to give back in their own small way.
No. It’s a not-for-profit, owned by nobody and everybody. If money ever comes in, it goes straight back into the project. What we do have, in abundance, is goodwill.
From conversations. From a recognition that Donegal people are givers by nature. From students, interns, businesses, and community friends who saw value in pulling this together.
Honestly, we don’t know yet and that’s okay. This is owned by the people. Donegal Giving will be shaped by feedback, by ideas, and by need. That’s what makes it exciting.
The simplest thing? Just start giving. Share what you know with someone who needs it. Offer your time to a local group. Mentor someone starting out. You're already part of this when you do that.
Want to take it further? Become a Friend of Donegal Giving, get in touch if you'd like to work on a project together, or tell us your story. We'd love to hear from you.