As Ireland continues to grapple with persistent educational disadvantage, the need for collaborative action between industry and society has never been greater. The OECD Review of Resourcing Schools to Address Educational Disadvantage in Ireland (2024) highlights that, despite Ireland’s strong overall educational performance, significant gaps remain for students from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

The report calls for targeted resources and systemic interventions to ensure equity in education, reinforcing the urgency of our mission.

basis.point was founded ten years ago on the belief that every child deserves equal access to education, regardless of circumstances and that by uniting as an industry we can have a greater impact in combatting educational disadvantage than by tackling it individually.
“We never wanted to be a quick fix; our goal was on sustainable change. That requires big investment and a long-term commitment,” says Edel O’Malley, CEO, basis.point.

Deepening corporate partner engagement
One of the most significant developments this year has been the rise of volunteering as a cornerstone of partner engagement. Our corporate partners have gone beyond financial contributions, dedicating time, creativity, and expertise to initiatives that directly benefit children and young people.

“We’re working hard to engage our donors. We want them to meet the charities and speak with people on the programmes. It puts colour to the picture,” says Edel O’Malley, basis.point CEO.

This year, 4232 volunteer hours were contributed by 327 volunteers from 28 companies, demonstrating the incredible commitment across the funds industry to creating brighter futures.

basis.point Week was a vibrant celebration of this spirit. From boardrooms to classrooms, our partners stepped up to create experiences that inspire and empower. Over 20 corporate partners opened their doors and, in many cases, their boardrooms, to shine a spotlight on the rising stars whose lives are being transformed through education.

The week wasn’t just about events; it was about connection and storytelling. Vanguard hosted a session where Leaving Cert graduates Zara and Fortunate shared how mentoring through Business in the Community helped them find confidence and direction. At BlackRock, former interns Sophia and Isaac returned to thank the team that first believed in them. Waystone and EY gave the floor to Sania and Amy, Teen-Turn alumi whose journeys from self-doubt to nursing and Advanced Therapeutic Technologies inspired all. And at Caceis, 17-year-old Carla McDonnell wowed audiences with her award-winning innovation, Vax Chill, before heading out to claim Ireland’s first World Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge in New York.

Corporate volunteering at its best
Beyond basis.point Week, our partners continued to make an impact throughout the year. PwC Ireland’s “One Firm, One Day” saw volunteers transform community spaces across Dublin, while teams from Citi, Ogier, Vanguard, and others delivered our Sports for Life & Wellbeing programme to 386 first-year students from nine DEIS schools. Their 287 volunteer hours combined study-skills, wellbeing workshops, and sports tasters and two-thirds of participants now aspire to third-level education. That’s the power of early intervention and encouragement.

Creative giving and sustainability
Volunteering isn’t only about time it’s about resourcefulness. Maples turned an office upgrade into opportunity by donating 50 monitors to inner-city DEIS schools, enhancing digital learning environments. Meanwhile, Olivier Meisonnave of DAX Restaurant committed €3 per cover to basis.point, proving that generosity can be woven into everyday business.

And many more patron companies have got involved with a bottle re-turn scheme.

Collaboration beyond the office
At the KPMG Women’s Irish Open, Amundi and volunteers from CACEIS, MUFG Investor Services, FundRecs, Waystone, and Vanguard created a buzz with the Amundi Long Putt challenge. Thanks to Amundi matching all donations, every putt helped support young people’s education, a perfect example of how creativity and collaboration can drive impact.

Every act of engagement, whether hosting a student speaker, painting a classroom, or mentoring a future leader, strengthens the emotional connection between patronage and impact. It reminds us that when corporate partners invest in education, they don’t just support programmes they change lives.

Measuring impact through stories
The numbers tell a compelling story, but the real impact is seen in the lives transformed. Two inspiring examples stand out this year:

Rowan Moore – from Early Learning to academic success
At the heart of our Showcase event was the moving story of Rowan Moore, a second-year marketing student at the National College of Ireland. Growing up in Ringsend, Rowan was supported early on through the ParentChild+ programme, run by the Early Learning Initiative (ELI). Her mother, determined to provide her with opportunities, enrolled in the community-based program. Benefiting from books, toys, and positive role models, Rowan grew her vocabulary and social skills so that by the time she started school, she was ready to learn and excelled academically.

Continuing to avail of other supports through ELI, Rowan thrived, ultimately earning a scholarship to Loreto on the Green and becoming an inspiring example of the power of mentorship. Today, Rowan is on internship with The Tenth Man marketing agency, showcasing the impact of determination and opportunity.

Leona Egan – breaking barriers through Teen-Turn
Leona Egan, a Teen-Turn ambassador and student at Trinity College Dublin, captivated fund industry colleagues at the Annual Spring lunch, with her humour, resilience, and confidence. Overcoming partial hearing loss from an early age, economic disadvantage, and exposure to substance abuse within her community, Leona’s story is one of triumph against the odds. When the opportunity to participate in Teen-Turn activities arose, she seized it with both hands. Supported by the Teen-Turn family of tech-savvy young women, Leona continued her education and is now well on her way to a degree in Science through the Trinity Access Programme. Her journey is a testament to the transformative power of opportunity and support.

Laying the foundations for growth
2025 marked a year of strategic investment in the future of basis.point. We strengthened governance structures, streamlined operations, and expanded our network of partners to ensure sustainable growth. These efforts were designed to amplify our ability to fund and support educational programmes that tackle disadvantage head-on.

Working together with 12 educational partners, we have raised and committed €8.25 million for education, a milestone that reflects both the generosity of our patrons and the strength of our collaborative model. This funding is enabling us to deliver targeted interventions that align with OECD recommendations for early intervention and holistic support.

We identified four focus areas that drive educational outcomes: early intervention, fundamental skills, mental wellness, and career readiness. To ensure impact, we reviewed existing partners for alignment and introduced two new educational partners in the second half of the year: Art in Schools with The Ark and Student Mentoring and Support through Engage in Education. These programmes broaden our reach geographically and creatively, offering new ways to inspire and engage students who might otherwise be overlooked.

Through these partnerships and funding, we have helped an additional 19,500 children this year to reach their potential, bringing the total number of children supported to 93,500 since our inception. This achievement underscores the transformative power of collaboration and sustained investment in education.

Strengthening leadership: changes to the Board of Directors
The OECD report emphasizes the importance of strong governance. This year we welcomed Alan Meaney, CEO and Co-founder of Fund Recs, and Meliosa O’Caoimh, Country Head of Northern Trust Ireland, to the Board. Their expertise and passion for inclusion will bring fresh perspectives and renewed energy as we continue to grow and expand our impact.

The newly restructured Board combines experience with innovation, providing a strong foundation for the next chapter of our mission.

Real change happens
basis.point’s journey in 2025 has been defined by growth, engagement, and unwavering commitment to our mission. The OECD report reminds us that systemic challenges remain, but through collaboration, targeted investment, and community engagement, we can make meaningful progress. We are deeply grateful to our patrons and volunteers, when finance and purpose align, real change happens.