The State is the biggest individual source of funding to the nonprofit sector, but nearly 80% of State funding is directed at 119 medium and large nonprofits, mostly in service fees to health and social care, higher education and local development.
In advocacy, law, politics, professional, and vocational organisations, the balance of income is mainly derived from earned revenues whereas philanthropy, voluntarism and international organisations are most heavily reliant on fund-raised income and philanthropic donations.
More than 260 Government departments or agencies provided at least €5.9bn in fees or grants to nonprofits in Ireland during 2018.
Income by sector in 2018
Source: Benefacts
Many nonprofits solicit donations from individuals, corporations and philanthropies, but only 64 are solely dedicated to fundraising year-round. Using these indicators, professional fundraising costs are about 15% of the value of income raised.
| Year | Number of dedicated fundraising charities | Total number of employees | Number of employees whose remuneration greater than €70,000 | Total payroll €000 | Total Income €000 |
| 2015 | 60 | 153 | 8 | 7,827 | 60,724 |
| 2016 | 61 | 132 | 9 | 7,114 | 58,027 |
| 2017 | 62 | 145 | 12 | 7,739 | 78,112 |
| 2018 | 64 | 146 | 10 | 8,060 | 52,947 |
Source: Benefacts
At €97m, philanthropic gifts, whether by Irish or non-Irish philanthropies are a marginal and declining source of revenue for most Irish nonprofits. By far the biggest sources of philanthropic giving are Irish-based independent foundations.
Giving by Irish and International philanthropies in 2018
Source: Benefacts
Gifts from overseas foundations continue to decline as a proportion of all philanthropic donations to the nonprofit sector in Ireland.
Giving in Ireland by International philanthropies in 2018
Source: Benefacts
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