Corporate Leaders Celebrate 10 Years of Collaboration with basis.point

Joanne Shaw (basis.point) shares updates from their recent event celebrating 10 years of collaboration. basis.point is the Irish funds industry charity dedicated to improving educational outcomes for disadvantaged youth.

In a celebration marking a decade of impactful collaboration, corporate leaders gathered at the Royal Honorary Kings Inns to commemorate the achievements of basis.point, the Irish funds industry charity dedicated to improving educational outcomes for disadvantaged youth. Amongst the esteemed guests were individuals whose vision and commitment have propelled the organisation forward, including outgoing board members Adrian Waters and Fiona Mulcahy who played pivotal roles in shaping basis.point’s success story.

Clive Bellows, Chairperson of basis.point and Head of Global Fund Services EMEA Northern Trust, expressed gratitude to industry leaders for their foresight in engaging with the charity during it’s formative years and reflected on the journey that has seen over €6.1 million committed to educational initiatives, benefiting almost 60,000 young people.

Young Voices, Big Impact: Inspiring Stories of Change and Inclusion

At the heart of basis.point's mission is the belief that education is the key to transforming the lives of marginalized youth. This sentiment resonated deeply during the basis.point Showcase, an event designed to offer donors the opportunity to experience first-hand the impact of their giving. 

This year’s event was dedicated to amplifying youth voices and fostering inclusion through education. Setting the scene, Jenny Courtenay, CEO of Belvedere Youth Club, shared her personal experience of growing up in a marginalised area of socio-economic disadvantage.  She reminded us that prejudices and inequalities continue to exist today and that there are an increasing number of young people from marginalised communities dealing with poverty, trauma and oppression on a daily basis.

The event underscored the importance of collective action in creating meaningful change.  A fireside chat with three young changemakers from the Liberties, full of youthful optimism and vision, ignited a belief that we can all create change.

Founded on the four pillars of empathy, teamwork, creativity, and leadership, the DCU Changemaker programme supports schools to address society’s most pressing challenges, such as mental health, inequality, and climate change.

Young speakers Elisabeth Busari, a Teen-Turn Alumni and Ambassador, and Preston Smith, a Foróige NFTE Regional Finalist, shared their journeys of resilience and empowerment.

Elisabeth’s journey, punctuated by the support of programmes like Teen-Turn, exemplifies the transformative power of mentorship and opportunity.  From rural Ireland to pursuing a third level education in information technology, her story underscores the profound impact of access to resources and encouragement.

Similarly, Preston Smith’s narrative highlights the pivotal role of mentorship in overcoming personal obstacles such as extreme shyness and low self-esteem and nurturing entrepreneurial spirit.  Through the Foróige Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship Programme, young students like Preston find the support and guidance necessary to unlock potential and pursue their dreams.

From grassroots initiatives like the DCU Changemakers programme to corporate partnerships facilitating educational opportunity, every contribution no matter how small plays a crucial role in breaking the cycle of disadvantage.

Empowering through Collaboration: A Vision for Brighter Futures

As the charity comes of age, basis.point have taken steps to formalise a clear succession plan.  Having completed their terms of service, Adrian Waters and Fiona Mulcahy have stepped down and basis.point welcome two new board members, Paul Kilcullen and Laura Trimble, both respected figures in the corporate world.

Paul Kilcullen, CEO of BNY Mellon and Ireland Country Head, brings a longstanding commitment to basis.point, having championed the charity’s cause and initiated a transformative Digital Citizens Partner Programme with BNY Mellon and Teen-Turn. 

Laura Trimble, CEO of HSBC Ireland, embodies a staunch advocacy for inclusivity and equal opportunity, aligning seamlessly with basis.point’s mission to empower marginalised youth through education.  HSBC Ireland are two years into a 21st Century Employability Partner Programme with Foróige.

The charity also established a Paul McNaughton Award to remember Paul McNaughton, a cherished friend and board director whose contributions were instrumental in the organisations evolution.  In his honour, the newly established Paul McNaughton Award will recognise individuals making exceptional contributions through education to young people and their families experiencing disadvantage.

The appointment of Paul and Laura injects renewed energy and diverse perspectives into the board, promising to accelerate growth and expand support for vulnerable children.

Best Children’s Education Equality Support Company

Our collaboration as an industry continues to attract attention and basis.point are delighted to be honoured with an Irish Enterprise Award for Best Education Equality Support Company.  The award is in recognition of the unique nature of bringing together an industry and encouraging them to work as a united front to combat educational disadvantage and make a tangible difference to the lives of young people experiencing disadvantage.

The impact achieved are testament to the idea that small acts of kindness and collaboration can ignite profound change, opening doors of opportunity for generations to come.

If you would like to learn more, visit www.basispoint.ie for a full listing of Patrons and Supporters and details on how you can help. Recurring annual contributions for corporates range from €3,000 to €10,000+ and from €250 to €1,000+ for individuals. As the discussion and metrics around ESG gains momentum, corporates, and individuals alike, grapple to come to terms with their social impact. basis.point fills a void and simplifies this task. What they offer is a unique conduit for an industry to come together, to pool resources to make a genuine difference to the lives of those living with disadvantage. In doing so, collectively as an industry they are doing what is ethically right whilst at the same time securing a long-term sustainable talent pool of diverse, educated, and inclusive young people.