The Worldwide Ireland Funds Announce the Promising Ireland Campaign - An Initiative to Raise $100 million to Assist Irish Charities
NEW YORK, Dec. 12, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Worldwide Ireland Funds today announced the launch of the Promising Ireland Campaign, a fundraising initiative with a goal of raising $100 million among its global network on four continents by 2013. The campaign will help charitable and non-profit organizations across the island of Ireland and Irish communities abroad meet the challenge of increased demand for their services at a time of major reductions in resources. Anticipating growing need, the Funds began a quiet phase in 2009 and have successfully raised over $40 million towards the $100 million goal. Today's announcement represents the beginning of the public phase of the Promising Ireland Campaign.
Speaking on behalf of the twelve Ireland Funds around the world, President and CEO of The Worldwide Ireland Funds, Kieran McLoughlin said, "Irish charities are facing a difficult period along with increased demands on their services, yet they are doing so with great innovation and focus. This campaign is a response to that intensified need and our donors have indicated they are ready to meet the challenge. The name of the campaign, Promising Ireland, reflects both our pledge to Ireland and our belief in her future."
Chairman of The American Ireland Fund, Loretta Brennan Glucksman said, "This campaign is our call to action and reinforces our abiding commitment to the island of Ireland as a place and a people that hold great promise for the future. Needs are greater today and so the benchmark of our response must also be greater. The Worldwide Ireland Funds have represented the generosity and goodwill of the Irish diaspora and the Irish themselves. This campaign translates that goodwill into action that will truly help those most in need and funds will be distributed as they are raised over the course of the campaign."
Fundraising for the campaign will be carried out across the Funds' global network with chapters in the United States, Ireland, Great Britain, Monaco, Australia, New Zealand, China, Singapore, Canada, France, Germany and Japan.
About The Worldwide Ireland Funds
The Worldwide Ireland Funds are an international charitable network operating in 12 countries and have raised over $350 million for worthy causes in Ireland and around the world. The mission of The Ireland Funds is to be the largest worldwide network of people of Irish ancestry and friends of Ireland dedicated to raising funds to support programs of peace and reconciliation, arts and culture, education and community development throughout the island of Ireland. Founded in 1976, they have assisted over 1,200 organizations.
The priority areas of The Worldwide Ireland Funds are:
- Supporting a shared future in Northern Ireland
- Promoting Philanthropy in Ireland
- Providing Access to Education
- The Promotion of Irish Culture and Heritage
- Assisting Disadvantaged Youth
- Assisting the Elderly 'Forgotten Irish'
In 2010, the following organizations were among those assisted by the work of
The Worldwide Ireland Funds:
174 Trust
Abbey School
Aisling Irish Community Center New York
American Irish Historical Society
An Cosan - The Shanty Education Project
An Taisce
Autism Speaks
Ballinglen Arts Foundation
Bantry Inshore Search and Rescue Association
Barretstown Camp
Belvedere Youth Club
Camara
Chicago Irish Immigration Support
Children's Sunshine Home - Laura Lynn House
Cinemagic
Coalition of Irish Immigration Centers
Concern Worldwide
Console
Co-operation Ireland
Crumlin Children's Hospital
Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland
Dublin Jewish Board of Guardians
Dublin Talmud Torah
Emerald Isle Immigration Center
Fighting Words
Front Line
Gate Theatre
Glenstal Abbey
GOAL
Haven - The Haiti Appeal
Inner City Scholarship Fund
Integrated Education Fund
Intercom Enterprize
Ireland Chamber of Commerce - United States
Ireland Institute of Pittsburgh
Ireland-US Council
Irish Arts Center
Irish Charities Tax Research Group
Irish Cultural Center of New England
Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind
Irish Immigration Center
Irish Museum of Modern Art
Irish Repertory Theater
Irish Seed Saver Association
Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children
Jack and Jill Children's Foundation
Jewish Home of Ireland
John F. Kennedy Library Foundation
Keltic Dreams
Lyric Theatre
Mary Immaculate College
Music Generation
National College of Ireland
Native Woodland Trust
New York Irish Center - Forgotten Irish Appeal
NUI Galway
Origin Theater
Our Lady's Boys Club
PeacePlayers International
Pushkin Prizes Trust
Railway Preservation Society
Royal Hibernian Academy
Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers Regimental Museum
Saplings School for Children with Autism
Social Entrepreneurs Ireland
Special Olympics Ireland
Springboard Opportunities
St. Patrick's College - Teachnet
Temple Street Children's Fund for Health
Trinity College Dublin
Tuesday's Children
UCD Michael Smurfit Business School
University College Cork
University of Limerick
West Cork Chamber Festival
Whitegates Community
SOURCE The American Ireland Fund
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