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St. Columba’s College Foundation

The College Foundation aims to engage the wider Columban community to seek to explore a more sustainable, equitable and brighter future for our school.

Dear Parents, Old Columbans and Friends of the College,

Our Foundation was set up in 2022 to engage the wider community and to help secure the future of our college.

Every school needs to keep developing its facilities in the short term, while also having the vision to look to the future and to projects that will enhance the school community for generations to come.

Our pupils and the wider college community care deeply about sustainability and the world around us, so we’ve decided to make this a central focus in our planning. As part of this commitment, we’re reviewing our classrooms and facilities to identify areas that could benefit from energy upgrades to improve efficiency and overall comfort.

Another commitment we feel strongly about is our bursaries. We want to ensure that the College is accessible to a wider range of families, enabling more young people to attend the College who wouldn’t otherwise have the means to come here. 

Kind regards,

Mark Boobbyer,

Warden, St. Columba’s College

Mark Boobbyer, Warden

The Four Pillars of the Foundation

The mission of the St. Columba’s College Foundation is bound within four pillars: Sustainability, Bursaries, Bursaries for Old Columbans & Legacy Gifts..

The Foundation is committed to the well-being of our pupils, community and to the sustainability of our college.

We are fundraising across the four pillars, please use the sections below to find out more:

  1. The Foundation Fund – for sustainability
  2. The Endowment Fund – for bursaries
  3. The OCS Bursary Fund – for children of Old Columbans
  4. Legacy Gift – to leave a donation in your will
Foundation FundEndowment FundOCS Bursary FundLegacy Gift
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The Foundation Fund

This Fund encourages supporters to donate to an unrestricted fund that affords the College discretion over how the funds are spent, allowing for immediate impact. The focus in the coming years will be on making the College more sustainable. All donations to this Fund, no matter what size are very gratefully received.

St Columba’s College hugely appreciates gifts in the form of monthly, quarterly or annual commitments. Multi-annual pledges enable the College to plan ahead.

All supporters to the Fund will be kept up to date on the College’s progress and successes each year.

Please note: Gifts over €21 or per month or €250 per year allow the College to claim an additional tax relief on this contribution amplifying the impact of your gift.

A Sustainable College

We are fortunate at St. Columba’s College to be nestled in the foothills of the Dublin Mountains, surrounded by some of the most beautiful scenery in Ireland.  The trees and landscape within our campus are not just part of the scenery — they are an integral part of life for our pupils. We are deeply committed to protecting this environment so that future generations can enjoy the same beauty and opportunity.

Our Sustainability Programme focuses on three key areas: Energy, Water and Waste. We have been working hard to monitor and measure our consumption in each of these areas and have started our journey towards implementing meaningful initiatives to reduce emissions and secure a more sustainable future for our College.

Our energy mission is clear — to eliminate our reliance on fossil fuels by 2030.

The first step on this journey was the installation of 680 solar panels (280 kWp) on the roof of the College Sports Hall. These panels now generate approximately 200,000 kWh of electricity each year, significantly reducing both our carbon footprint and energy costs.

Building on this success, we are now raising funds to further expand our use of renewable energy sources and continue our transition away from fossil fuels.

Our campus is home to more than 60 buildings, many of which are listed and require careful preservation. This presents unique challenges and opportunities when improving the energy efficiency and sustainability of our facilities.

We have already completed a major renovation of one of the oldest buildings on our campus

‘Whispering House’, which is now enjoyed by pupils, teachers, and visitors alike.

Looking ahead, we are continuing our programme of renovation across several of our older classrooms. These upgrades will not only improve our energy efficiency but also create a Centre for Innovation, dedicated to the education of sustainability at St. Columba’s College.



“We are the first generation to feel the impacts of climate change and the last generation that can do something about it”

Barack Obama



Donate Online to the Foundation Fund

To make a recurring donation please select the amount and frequency of your donation and click ‘subscribe’.

Recurring Donation Option

To make a once-off donation please select click ‘donate’ and follow the on-screen instructions.

Alternative Ways to Donate

Donate via Online Bank Transfer

  • Name of Account: The College of St. Columba Foundation Deposit Account
  • Name of Bank: AIB Bank, 40-41 Westmoreland Street, Dublin 2, Ireland
  • IBAN Number: IE77AIBK93338407162702
  • BIC Code: AIBKIE2D

Please add your FULL NAME and include Sustainability Fund as a reference.

To Donate by Cheque Payment:

Please make cheques payable to: St Columba’s College. Cheques can be posted to:

The Foundation Office,
St. Columba’s College,
Whitechurch,
Dublin 16
D16 CH92

Donating from the USA

US taxpayers wishing to support St Columba’s College can do so by making a Donor Advised Gift to The Ireland Funds America, a US charitable non-profit corporation that is recognised under US law as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entity.

Gifts to The Ireland Funds America are tax deductible to the extent permitted by US law. The Ireland Funds America Tax I.D. number is #25-1306 992.

If you would like to make a Donor Advised Gift to The Ireland Funds America, please contact

Natalie Hodgess, Foundation Manager
Email: foundation@stcolumbas.ie
Phone: + 353 1 4956919

Endowment Fund – for Bursaries

Open the Door to a Life-Changing Education

The bursary funds at St. Columba’s are designed to broaden access to the exceptional education our College has to offer – giving opportunities to children who might not otherwise have had the means to attend.

We have seen bursary recipients go on to become engineers, lawyers, doctors and other leaders in their field. The ripple effect of a single bursary can change not only one life, but entire families and communities.

 “Before I started at St Columba’s College, becoming a doctor seemed like an impossible dream. I grew up in a disadvantaged area and didn’t know anyone who had been to university before.

After a year at St. Columba’s something changed inside me, I realised that despite my background, I did deserve a brighter future.

Without the financial support I received from a generous family, I wouldn’t have got to experience the amazing teachers and facilities at St Columba’s College and I wouldn’t be about to enter my first year at Trinity College to study medicine.  Words can’t express how grateful I am for the opportunity I’ve been given and one day, I hope to give back and support someone else who needs it.”

6th Form Leaver, St. Columba’s College

By giving to one of our Bursary Programmes, you are not just making a donation, you are opening a door and investing in a young person’s future.

Donate Online to the College Endowment Fund

To make a recurring donation please select the amount and frequency of your donation and click ‘subscribe’.

Recurring Donation Option

To make a once-off donation please select click ‘donate’ and follow the on-screen instructions.

Alternative Ways to Donate

Donate via Online Bank Transfer

  • Name of Account: The College of St. Columba Foundation Deposit Account
  • Name of Bank: AIB Bank, 40-41 Westmoreland Street, Dublin 2, Ireland
  • IBAN Number: IE77AIBK93338407162702
  • BIC Code: AIBKIE2D

Please add your FULL NAME and include College Bursary Fund as a reference.

To Donate by Cheque Payment:

Please make cheques payable to: St Columba’s College. Cheques can be posted to:

The Foundation Office,
St. Columba’s College,
Whitechurch,
Dublin 16
D16 CH92

Donating from the USA

US taxpayers wishing to support St Columba’s College can do so by making a Donor Advised Gift to The Ireland Funds America, a US charitable non-profit corporation that is recognised under US law as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entity.

Gifts to The Ireland Funds America are tax deductible to the extent permitted by US law. The Ireland Funds America Tax I.D. number is #25-1306 992.

If you would like to make a Donor Advised Gift to The Ireland Funds America, please contact

Natalie Hodgess, Foundation Manager
Email: foundation@stcolumbas.ie
Phone: + 353 1 4956919

OCS Bursaries

In addition to College Bursaries, the Old Columban Society established the OCS Bursary Fund in 2011 which specifically supports the children and grandchildren of Old Columbans (OCs).

To maintain and nurture this Fund, the OCS encourages its members to commit to a suggested amount of €21* per month or €250 per year, or whatever they may be willing to donate.

The College and the Old Columban Society are most grateful for support to these Bursary Funds and wish to extend thanks to all who have enabled these bursary pupils to flourish in the environment of St. Columba’s and on into their futures.

Please note: Gifts over €21 or per month or €250 per year allow the College to claim an additional tax relief on this contribution amplifying the impact of your gift.



“ Giving back is an essential element of what it means to be an Old Columban. We all want to give our children the best opportunities and giving to the Bursary Fund can make a big difference to the life of a child.”

Ian Fraser, Former President of the Old Columban Society


Donate Online to the OCS Bursary Fund

To make a recurring donation please select the amount and frequency of your donation and click ‘subscribe’.

To make a once-off donation please select click ‘donate’ and follow the on-screen instructions.

Alternative Ways to Donate

Donate via Online Bank Transfer

  • Name of Account: The Old Columban Society Bursary Fund Deposit Account
  • Name of Bank: AIB Bank, 40-41 Westmoreland Street, Dublin 2, Ireland
  • IBAN Number: IE58AIBK93338407162462
  • BIC Code: AIBKIE2D

Please add your FULL NAME and include OCSBF (Old Columban Society Bursary Fund) as a reference.

To Donate by Cheque Payment:

Please make cheques payable to: The Old Columban Society Bursary Fund. Cheques can be posted to:

The Foundation Office,
St. Columba’s College,
Whitechurch,
Dublin 16
D16 CH92

Donating from the USA

US taxpayers wishing to support St Columba’s College can do so by making a Donor Advised Gift to The Ireland Funds America, a US charitable non-profit corporation that is recognised under US law as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entity.

Gifts to The Ireland Funds America are tax deductible to the extent permitted by US law. The Ireland Funds America Tax I.D. number is #25-1306 992.

If you would like to make a Donor Advised Gift to The Ireland Funds America, please contact

Natalie Hodgess, Foundation Manager
Email: foundation@stcolumbas.ie
Phone: + 353 1 4956919

A Lasting Legacy

Including a gift in your will to St Columba’s College, a lasting legacy, will secure the future of St Columba’s for generations to come. Legacies allow the College to nurture the talent of pupils into the future and protect our core values for future Columbans.

All legacy gifts, irrespective of size, are held in highest regard. Legacies enable St Columba’s to continue a spirit of philanthropy that goes back to the Foundation of the College in 1843.

To discuss leaving a gift in your will to the College contact the Foundation Officer Natalie Hodgess, in the strictest confidence, by email (foundation@stcolumbas.ie) or by telephone (+353 1 495 6919). For further information please see the attached leaflet here.

Foundation News

Explore news articles relating to College development and fundraising.

Columba’s Connects Annual Event

On Friday 24th April we are launching our first ‘Columba’s…
February 12, 2026/by sccdublin

Grace Cup Lunch 2025

Our annual Grace Cup Lunch was held on Wednesday 14th May 2025…
May 19, 2025/by sccdublin

London Foundation Event, May 2025

Old Columbans, parents (current and former) and friends of the…
March 4, 2025/by sccdublin

St. Columba’s Foundation London Event

An unforgettable May evening in London was hosted by the College…
June 19, 2024/by sccdublin

Grace Cup Lunch 2024

Our annual Grace Cup lunch at Whispering House in the College…
May 23, 2024/by sccdublin

Golf Academy Official Launch

We were delighted to welcome Irish golfing legend and former…
October 26, 2023/by sccdublin
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Contact

Please fill in the form below with any questions, suggestions or inquiries about the roles of the Foundation Office. Our Foundation Officer, Natalie Hodgess, will get back to you as soon as possible.

Send us mail

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Natalie Hodgess

Natalie Hodgess

Foundation Manager

Foundation Office,
St. Columba’s College,
Whitechurch,
Dublin 16,
D16 CH92

Email: foundation@stcolumbas.ie
Phone: +353 (1) 495 6919

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