NEW YORK, March 16, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Worldwide Ireland Funds today announced that their Promising Ireland Campaign, a fundraising initiative with a goal of raising $100 million among its global network on four continents by the end of 2013, has received a $3 million gift.

This gift, from Loretta Brennan Glucksman -- Chairman of The American Ireland Fund and the Promising Ireland Campaign – brings the total raised to $50 million and is a key milestone in bringing the Campaign towards its overall goal of raising $100 million.

The Promising Ireland Campaign is helping 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. Funds are being distributed as they are raised over the course of the Campaign in order to assist charities with their immediate needs.

Speaking on behalf of the twelve Ireland Funds participating in the global Campaign, President and CEO of The Worldwide Ireland Funds, Kieran McLoughlin said, "It is a testament to the generosity and concern of the worldwide Irish family that we have reached this milestone in our campaign three months early. Led by Loretta Brennan Glucksman - our Chairman and one of Ireland's most generous friends - the campaign is supporting immediate needs in Ireland in the most innovative and imaginative ways. We are helping the Irish at their best meet the times at their worst. Ireland will recover and our donors are helping to accelerate that process."

The Promising Ireland Campaign has already assisted over 200 projects since it began its quiet phase in 2009. Irish organizations facing financial hardship have confirmed the impact of the Campaign. "When we heard the money was coming in from The Ireland Funds, the parents couldn't believe it," said a parent from the Saplings Schools for Children with Autism in Dublin, one of the beneficiaries of the Promising Ireland Campaign.  "We were just at a state of play where we didn't know what our next move was to get funding…the money from The Ireland Funds changed everything and it took a huge amount of pressure off the parents."  

As St. Patrick's Day is celebrated around the world, The Worldwide Ireland Funds are holding events in 16 cities across 6 countries attended by over 6,000 supporters. It is projected that these events will raise over $2.5 million for the Promising Ireland Campaign. On March 16 in Washington D.C., An Taoiseach Enda Kenny, T.D., Prime Minister of Ireland will deliver the keynote address to The American Ireland Fund's National Gala.  It will be his first address in the United States since his election.

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.  

www.irlfunds.org

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'

SOURCE The American Ireland Fund