Partnerships

Partnerships are essential to our long-term sustainability and we depend on funding and expertise from a wide range of sources to keep our work going. Your commitment will enable us to continue to create safe spaces that facilitate authentic engagement – spaces that our young people crave. Soar’s work would not be possible without the funding and support from our Corporate Partners, Support Partners and Associate Partners.

By partnering with Soar, you will be making a significant contribution towards empowering the next generation of young people in Ireland. To discuss how your organisation can join the movement, contact Mark McDonnell now by emailing mark@soar.ie and let’s explore!

Friends of Soar

These friends embody the work of Soar with passion, possibility and integrity. They have shown up at pivotal stages in Soar’s development and contributed with much needed funding, expertise and mentorship. They are the bedrock on which this organisation is built.

Susan Dargan, Tony Garry, Michael Kearney, Tony Keily, Niamh Patten, Declan Ryan & Michael Slein.

Corporate Partners

The One Foundation are a private philanthropic fund and one of Soar’s key anchor partners. . They have believed in Soar from the earliest stage and have supported the organisation at decisive stages in our brief life cycle since 2012. Soar is honored to enter into a 5-year partnership with the foundation, where their financial assistance and sector expertise is providing a platform to increase our scale and maximise our impact. Their constant commitment to the well-being of young people is enabling this movement to be brave and fulfil our potential.

2016 was the first year of our partnership with AIB where their support greatly contributed towards reaching 5,568 young people, launching our Young Women’s Program and training the next generation of Soar facilitators. In 2017, AIB’s investment is focused on reaching more young people in schools, the initial phases of our Young Men’s Program and supporting our transition to a more sustainable model.

Davy was one of the first partners to come on board with significant investment over a 3-year period, allowing Soar to begin planning on a medium, rather than a short-term basis. Davy understood the growth phase Soar was in and provided financial investment to sustainably grow our team, invest in our program facilitators and reach more young people in schools. Davy’s commitment has also extended to individual team members supporting Soar, inclusion in various seminars and the use of their facilities.

The entire Ecclesiastical team have been alongside Soar from the very beginning . The team have been a reassuring, constant presence, with a much-needed mix of financial support, HR expertise, personal mentorship and encouragement at every turn. The support from Ecclesiastical has assisted Soar in our infancy as an organisation and has continued right through to where we are today.

Soar’s collaboration with Fenero is based on a real symmetry between our organisations. Fenero’s progressiveness around well-being in the workplace made it a perfect alignment. Fenero provides financial assistance towards our programs and financial and taxation expertise and support.

LEDGroups impact was felt immediately in 2015 , with support to increase the training of our facilitators and reach more young people across Ireland. This support entailed financial contribution, business expertise and mentorship to Soar’s Leadership Team. Over the last 2 years LED Group has been called upon at important junctures for Soar and they stood with us.

Stelfox believed in our vision for young people from the beginning and had the conviction and bravery to be the first people to financially back Soar’s co-founders. This action enabled Tony Griffin and Karl Swan to commit themselves to the creation of Soar and the organisation we have grown into today. The Stelfox contribution has been vast diverse and impactful. The entire team has supported in some way with financial support, fundraisers, business expertise, mentorship, friendship and a community spirit that nourishes our organisation.

Support Partners

KPMG got behind Soar in our first year by auditing our annual accounts and providing the safety and assuredness that comes with highly professional expertise. The unwavering support from KPMG has only increased, with a dedicated team working weekly on the ground with Soar ensuring our accounting and financial framework are to the highest standards. This level of professionalism and transparency is of great assistance to Soar’s ethics as a youth organization.

A&L Goodbody have partnered with Soar since our inception. Initially A&L would have provided legal guidance and assistance in the formation of the organisation. A&L have always been available to Soar with advice regarding the good governance of the organisation. This has culminated with the provision of a senior company secretarial advisor to sit on Soar’s Board of Directors.

MD of Datalytics, Tara Grehan, has been of great assistance to Soar at a key transitional stage of our development. Tara has assisted Soar in creating Soar’s 3-year Strategic Plan which will guide the organisation into 2020. Through a highly collaborative approach, Tara acquired a deep understanding of the organisation which cultivated some fresh insights and a clear vision of the road ahead.

Emerald Travel are an Ireland specialist travel organisation based in Melbourne, Australia. Soar’s deep connection to The Reach Foundation in Melbourne results in a regular flow of Reach and Soar people commuting to the other side of the world. Seamus and Chris have assisted with flights, connected Soar to the Irish community in Australia, provided funding opportunities and have literally opened their homes to Soar .Seamus and Chris have been dear friends to Soar in so many ways.

Microsoft have shown up for Soar in many ways during the formative early years and continue to do so today. As our operational team started to evolve, Microsoft undertook a needs analysis with our people and created a bespoke Office365 suite to support our work. Highly enthusiastic teams have provided support to Soar when installing our Microsoft Dynamics 365 CRM system and various IT/Digital needs. Microsoft have also provided training and financial contributions through their Community Affairs Team.

Associate Partners

Soar were the recipients of an SEI Impact Award in 2012 which proved to be the launchpad the organisation was searching for. SEI’s comprehensive support enabled Soar to grow and scale the model through seed funding, bespoke organisational support and continuous mentoring. The effectiveness and impact of Soar was taken to a completely different level through the support of SEI. Soar continues to have a fantastic working relationship with SEI, with CEO Darren Ryan a valued advocate for our work who currently chair’s Soar’s Board of Directors.

The Ireland Funds is a global philanthropic network set up to promote and support Irish community development initiatives all over the world. Soar has had a strong connection with The Australian Chapter due to the strong links between The Reach Foundation in Melbourne and our work in Ireland. The Ireland Funds have supported in many ways to scale our model, but most specifically in the early development of ‘Stripped’, Soar’s Young Women’s Empowerment Program.

The Community Foundation of Ireland specialise in connecting donors with carefully selected non-profit organisations to ensure a real symmetry between the partners. Soar have been provided with many opportunities to engage with donors passionate about the well-being of young people. Some of the partners we have been aligned with have significantly contributed to the development of Soar and are valued members of our movement today.

The GPA provides a holistic approach to player development for Irelands intercounty hurling and football players by providing many diverse support services. The GPA’s passionate focus on player emotional well-being made for a perfect partner. The GPA have assisted Soar with financial support, travel assistance, mentorship and friendship from the beginning. They have played a key role in the early stage development of Soar’s Young Men’s Program.

Our Community

From the very beginning, we knew the change we wanted for young people would require the creation and mobilisation of a community – and that’s exactly what sustains this movement. The soar community is powered by a tribe of forward thinking, courageous and generous people who keep the movement energised and reaching thousands of young people each year. This group come from different countries, sectors and walks of life but are united by their passion to see young people in this country thrive. Their support at whatever stage in this journey is the reason we can continue to impact so many. We are endlessly grateful.

Founding Friends

Declan Ryan, Michael Heavey, Michael Kearney, Michael Slein, Niamh Patten, Susan Dargan, Tony Garry, Tony Keily

Corporate

A&L Goodbody, Allied Irish Bank, Datalytics, Davy, Ecclesiastical Insurance, Emerald Travel, Etihad Airways, Fenero, Healy Group, KPMG, LED Group, Microsoft, Munich RE, Psyched, PwC, Rothco, State Street, Stelfox

Foundations

Business in the Community, ESB Energy for Generations Fund, Gaelic Players Association, Social Entrepreneurs Ireland, The 10k Fund, The Community Foundation of Ireland, The Ireland Funds, The One Foundation, Vodafone Ireland Foundation

Irish Champions

Aad Design, Aidan Gordon, Aisling Swaine, Alan Glover, Alannah Gould, Amanda Fitzgerald, Amelia O’Brien, Barbara Dooley, Barbara Owen, Ben Finnegan, Brian Gilsenan, Ciara Clifford, Ciara Cunningham, Clodagh Hughes, Colm O’Gorman, Conor Cusack, Coralie Mureau, Danny Boylan, Darren Ryan, Dave Darcy, Dave Gough, David Ryan, David Spollen, Declan O’Rourke, Dessie Farrell, Diarmuid Lyng, Diarmuid Sexton, Don Farrell, Emmet Bergen, Eugene Gibbons, Evelyn Carroll, Finnegan Anderson, Garry Barcoe, George Boyle, George Kingston, Gerry, Val, Dug, Keith and all at the Chocolate Factory, Ian Kingston, Ivan Kelly, James Hogan, James Lynch, James Sexton, Jeanette Kealy, Joe Murphy, Joe Schmidt, Julie Kiss, Justin Warby, Karl Styles, Kate O’Dwyer, Keith Ryan, Kieran Clancy, Leah Burke, Les Kiss, Liam Devane, Louise Wheately, Mal Callan, Marah Curtin, Mary McCluskey, Maurice Mason, Michelle Fraser, Natalie Hodgess, Niamh O’Carroll, Paddy Hickey, Paul O’Sullivan, Philippa Keogh, Rob Purcell, Rory Gillen, Rory Quinliven, Ruairí McKiernan, Ryan McCarthy, Ryan Mesches, Sally Kingston, Scott Hayes, Seamus Whitney, Sean Coughlan, Sergy Slashchev, Sharleen Tuite, Siobhan Early, Susan Quirke, Syl Addley, Tara O’Shea, Terrance O’ Donoghue, Timmy Hammersley, Tony Spollen, Tuathal, Hassan, Eoin and all the crew at Blas, Vincent McNally

Australian Champions

Adam Daniel, Alecia Whitelaw, Brian and Tess Stynes, Carl Walsh, Chris Moloughney, Diarmuid Kelly, Don McLardy, Elliot Costello, Emeli Paulo, Genevieve and Henrik from “I am Eleven”, Jennifer Ring, Justin Bock, Kim Dawes, Lucy Kennon, Paige Harkin, Ronan Lehane, Seamus Moloughney, Sharon Stynes, Sophie Noone, Stephen Gray, The Ireland Funds Australia, The Reach Foundation, Y-Gap

A special thanks to our dear friend Tom Harkin for his belief in and generosity to Soar from the beginning. For always guiding us, challenging us and sharing his experience with us. We’re truly grateful!

UK Champions

Maritza Tucker

Canadian Champions

Alexa, Cathy McCabe (RIP), Jane Roy, John McCabe, John Roy, Justin McDonagh, Margaret McDonagh, Ruth Draper, Travis

US Champions

Kerry Max Cook, Sandy and KJ