ESA Member Spotlight: GOAL Global

What's your name and position within the organisation?

My name is Salina Janzan and I am the Senior Fundraising Manager at Irish humanitarian agency, GOAL. I'm privileged to head up the GOAL team who bring our flagship events like the GOAL Mile, GOAL Jersey Day, and the GOAL Ball to life, as well as working closely with our incredible community and corporate supporters.

Can you tell us a bit about your journey and how you became Senior Fundraising Manager at GOAL?

I have worked in projects and partnerships management for social good causes for the past 12 years - with a particular focus on causes which build a better and more sustainable future for both people and the planet. This experience ranges from working with large multinational partners such as adidas, to public sector organisations like the NHS, to small local conservation charities.

Likewise, my academic study is varied - from starting with an Art and Design undergraduate to a Postgraduate Diploma in Endangered Species Recovery, to a Masters in International Development & Education with Cross-Cultural Communication.

In my current role, my team and I focus on helping companies and communities across Ireland make a positive difference on a global scale - and each of my previous experiences brings helpful perspective to do so.

GOAL has a significant impact globally. Can you share some of the key areas where GOAL is making a difference?

GOAL operates in 15 countries across Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, and Ukraine. Our work focuses on crisis response, resilient health, food and nutrition security, and livelihoods in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Last year alone, we reached 10 million people through our programs. Our goal is to support vulnerable communities and help them build resilience against future crises.

In addition to this global impact, we also engage communities across Ireland, the UK and the US, seeking to empower a generation of Global Citizens who understand how our world is interconnected and how they can enact positive change on a personal, national, and global scale.

What are some of the challenges you face in your role, and how do you overcome them?

One of the biggest challenges is the unpredictability of humanitarian crises. Whether it's a natural disaster or a conflict, GOAL needs to be ready to respond quickly. This requires a lot of coordination and resources. GOAL overcomes these challenges by building strong partnerships, investing in our team's capacity, and continuously improving our strategies and processes.

Flexibility of funding - generated through our fundraising events and the generosity of the Irish public and corporate sector, among other partners, plays a vital role in enabling GOAL to be where we are needed most in the first hours and days of a sudden onset crisis.

How important are partnerships and sponsorships to GOAL's mission?

Partnerships and sponsorships are crucial. As I mentioned above, they provide us with the vital resources and support needed to carry out our work. We collaborate with governments, other NGOs, and the private sector to maximise our impact. Sponsorships, in particular, are vital within the Irish market to help us develop mutually beneficial partnerships that raise awareness with the general public, engage more people in our events, and generate increased funds for GOAL's projects globally.

Can you give an example of a sponsorship that has worked well for GOAL?

Our award-winning partnership with AIB and their sponsorship of our largest fundraising event the GOAL Mile, has had a considerable impact increasing our participation to over 50,000 across Ireland, the UK and internationally.

Held throughout December in villages, towns and cities across the island of Ireland and online worldwide, the GOAL Mile sees tens of thousands of people run or walk a mile to raise funds for GOAL. It has become a cherished Christmas tradition for thousands of families and individuals. Partnering with AIB offered a wonderful opportunity to reinvigorate the GOAL Mile ensuring its continued success for many years to come.

For the past four years, we have worked collaboratively with the AIB team on launching a multi-channel marketing and communications campaign each year - with incredible results to date. Over the course of our partnership, funds raised by the GOAL Mile have increased by an incredible 132%. This in turn has resulted in an increase in the funds raised and our ability to respond quickly to humanitarian crises. And we hope that 2024 will be our biggest year yet!

Can you share a success story that highlights the impact of GOAL's work?

Clean water is fundamental to the health and vitality of any community. Yet, GOAL often works with communities that lack access to this basic human right. In the remote village of Bevehun, Sierra Leone, families depended on a contaminated swamp for their daily water needs, resulting in constant sickness from water-borne illnesses like diarrhoea, typhoid, and cholera.

Thanks to GOAL's intervention and support from charity:water, a drilling rig arrived in Bevehun, providing the community with the clean, safe water they desperately needed. This transformation has brought health, happiness, and hope to Bevehun, showcasing the profound impact of clean water.

What are your future goals for GOAL?

As an organisation, our future goals include expanding our reach and impact, particularly in areas affected by conflict, crisis and climate change. We also aim to strengthen our partnerships and continue innovating in our approach to overcome humanitarian crisis. Ultimately, our goal is to create a world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive, regardless of their circumstances.

To support this, as a fundraising team, we also need to look for ways to expand our reach and public engagement. A key focus for us next year is the growth of GOAL Jersey Day. Much like the GOAL Mile, GOAL Jersey Day is a well-loved tradition that sees tens of thousands of people coming together and wearing their favourite sports jerseys to support GOAL's work with vulnerable communities.

Running for over 35 years, Jersey Day is a firm favourite with communities, clubs, workplaces, and schools. We'd love to work with a values-aligned partner to see this campaign reach and connect even more people. If community, connection and fun are important for your brand, and your organisation is looking for a new property to meet both sponsorship and CSR requirements - please do get in touch with us!

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