Donegal Giving is preparing for another phase of expansion after growing a kind-hearted idea into an award-winning social enterprise in less than a year.
The organisation is developing its first product, preparing to welcome its first corporate sponsor and planning to expand its work with schools across the county.
Donegal Giving was launched in November 2025 to recognise and encourage people and businesses to share their time, skills, knowledge and opportunities to strengthen communities.
It formally became Donegal Giving CLG, a not-for-profit social enterprise, in June and recently received its first accolade at the Donegal Volunteer Awards.
Members of the Donegal Giving group Evelyn McGlynn and Trisha McGinley who received their Volunteer Recognition Award at the Donegal Volunteer Award in the Raddission Hotel Letterkenny on Thursday 16th July. Pictured with Paul Hannigan President ATU Donegal and Chairman DLDC and Margaret Larkin Head of Operations DLDC. Photo by Gerard McHugh Photography
A new voluntary board of directors has also been appointed to help guide the organisation’s next stage of growth.
Founder Evelyn Mc Glynn said the directors’ experience, support and commitment had been central to the progress made by the organisation.
Among those serving on the board are Paul Logue, Assumpta Gunning, Caitríona Sinnott and Trish McGinley.
Mr Logue brings more than 35 years of retail experience and currently works as an In-Store Trainer with McElhinneys, while Ms Gunning has a professional background spanning financial services, banking, customer service and financial crime.
Ms Sinnott brings extensive community development experience through her work with Muintir na Tíre, including supporting volunteers and building community networks.
Ms McGinley has helped guide Donegal Giving’s governance and development as it progressed from an initial idea into a formally established organisation.
The appointments follow a busy eight months for Donegal Giving, beginning with a launch event attended by almost 300 people from the business, education, community and voluntary sectors.
It has since been accepted onto the RiSE Programme and delivered its first Transition Year pilot programme at Gairmscoil Chú Uladh.
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Following the success of that project, Donegal Giving is exploring a new programme for fifth and sixth-class pupils focusing on kindness, community, legacy and the difference individuals can make.
The organisation has also collaborated with Atlantic Technological University, where final-year marketing students carried out research into attitudes towards giving and opportunities for the initiative to grow.
Evelyn says that one of the most remarkable aspects of the Donegal Giving story has been the level of support received from the wider community.
To date, the organisation estimates it has received almost €27,000 worth of giving in kind through professional expertise, website development, design, mentoring, venue hire, volunteer time, refreshments, practical support and support from media outlets across the county.
This support has come from businesses, organisations and individuals across Donegal who have chosen to contribute their skills, knowledge, time and resources to help the initiative grow.
The support of Carla Roets and Johan du Plessis of Crintus & Co has been particularly noteworthy. Through the creation and ongoing maintenance of the Donegal Giving website, along with their continued advice and technical support, they have played a significant role in helping establish the organisation’s digital presence and reach.
Although the organisation was launched less than a year ago, the idea had been developing for much longer.
Ms Mc Glynn purchased the Donegal Giving website domain almost a decade ago and continued building relationships across the business, community and voluntary sectors through her work with Evelyn Mc Marketing and the Donegal Women in Business Network.
Many of those connections have since helped the organisation secure advice, expertise and practical support.
Attention is now turning to Footprints of Giving 2026, which will take place at An Grianán Theatre in Letterkenny on Thursday, 12th November.
The free flagship event will bring together representatives from the community, voluntary, education and business sectors for a day of inspiration, learning and connection.
Charities, non-profit organisations and social enterprises interested in taking part are invited to contact Donegal Giving through the contact form on its website.
Tickets for the event will be released shortly.
For more information about Donegal Giving, its programmes and upcoming initiatives, visit www.donegalgiving.com.