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

www.irlfunds.org

SOURCE The American Ireland Fund