connect 2018 • 22 By Lucy Masterson CEO, Charities Institute Ireland CHARITIES INSTITUTE IRELAND At home and abroad, Irish charities represent some of the best aspects of Irish life and society – a desire for altruism, community support and social cohesion. Irish society has given to the charity sector for decades and the charity sector has given back to Irish society for just as long. But the last decade has seen so much change in our country. We have suffered catastrophic economic collapse and moved to recovery – albeit with huge pain. Charities Institute Ireland & The Ireland Funds Building a Stronger Nonprofit Sector by Lucy Masterson, CEO, Charities Institute Ireland