The Deloitte Impact Fund

The past two years have presented many challenges, and businesses have pivoted to support their people, clients, and society. We all had to adjust to a new normal and for Deloitte, as it supported clients through the pandemic, increased demand for its services led to continued growth. Against this context, it was important that as a responsible business, it fulfilled its role of supporting the Irish economy, in addition to giving back to the societies in which it operates. Driven by CEO Harry Goddard and the Executive team, the decision was made to provide funding for an additional strategic investment to Deloitte’s social impact programmes. This investment will support not-for-profit organisations in line with Deloitte’s purpose and its global and local programmes focused on education, climate action and inclusion programmes. Furthermore, the investment also sees the establishment of a fund to empower Deloitte’s own people on their personal charitable efforts.

WorldImpact is Deloitte’s commitment to the planet, communities, and a more inclusive society. This fund directly aligns to and supports this strategy. For example, the Deloitte Impact Fund will strengthen ties with DEIS schools local to Deloitte offices, as well as University Access programmes and community based environmental education programmes, by providing access to education, skills, and opportunity.

People’s Impact Fund

In addition, Deloitte wanted to support its people in activating and living their own purpose. With that in mind, they have launched their “People’s Impact Fund”. The fund is available for all employees as well as their family members where they are actively involved with a charitable organisation and require funding to start, develop or scale a project that aligns with Deloitte’s WorldImpact programmes.

Commenting Claire Bergin, Head of Corporate Responsibility, Deloitte said: “It is more important than ever to Deloitte as a business that we support our people’s passions and what drives them personally – we are really proud of what this fund stands for and are excited to see the impact that it will make.”

Successful applicants will benefit from much more than just funding. They will also be able to access the broad skillset of Deloitte professionals, be that through their well-recognised Impact Week programme, skilled volunteering or pro bono support.

The fund is being administered with the support of the Community Foundation for Ireland who will also be involved as independent judges in the judging process.

“We see this as a chance to get behind our people and to learn more about what drives and inspires them. We know that a lot of our people dedicate their time and skills to projects that are personal to them, and we want to recognise that,” said Claire Bergin.

Deloitte has a well-established approach to responsible business and have taken the opportunity to revise their strategy over the past 18 months, considering how they can scale their impact whilst engaging their people and seeking their input along the way. The fund is a strategic decision to further align their responsible business programmes to their purpose and evidences a people driven approach which is core to Deloitte’s purpose.

“We are looking forward to reviewing the applications and of course seeing the impact of the wider fund in time to come,” observed Claire Bergin.

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