# Philanthropy award winners announced

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2008/12/09/philanthropy-award-winners-announced/
- Published: 2008-12-09T23:00:01+00:00
- Author: Howard Lake

The Community Foundation for Ireland has announced the winners of the second annual
Philanthropist of the Year Awards. Declan Ryan was named Philanthropist of the Year–
Ireland and Jane Corboy was awarded Philanthropist of the Year – International.

This year the Community Foundation for Ireland added a new category to the awards–
Philanthropist of the Year – Local, which was awarded to Limerick man, Ralph Parkes.
This new award honours individuals who have made a significant impact in their own
local community or at a regional level in Ireland.

The Community Foundation for Ireland’s Philanthropist of the Year Awards recognise
and honour those individuals who have shown exceptional generosity and commitment
through direct financial support and engagement with charities and voluntary organisations
both here in Ireland and abroad.

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Nominations were received from volunteer groups and other charitable organisations
throughout Ireland. The winners were decided by a high profile independent judging
panel which included Liz O’Donnell, Eamon Coghlan, Conor O’Clery and was chaired
by author Deirdre Purcell.

Declan Ryan on behalf of One Foundation received the Irish award for his pioneering
role in philanthropy in Ireland. Established in 2004, the One Foundation applies
a venture philanthropy model: investing in people and organisations that seek to
have a significant impact on social problems, with major investments to date including
Barnardos, Migrant Rights Centre, Big Brother Big Sister, Headstrong, and Social
Entrepreneurs Ireland.

Jane Corboy was given the International award for her exceptional work as the founder
of The Next Step, an Irish-Georgian charity which cares for mentally and physically
disabled children in Georgia, the former Soviet Republic.

Jane Corboy founded Next Step in response to the horrendous living conditions of
disabled orphans living in the notorious state-run Kaspi Institution, near Tbilisi,
Georgia.

The winner of the Philanthropist of the Year – Local, Ralph Parkes, was recognised
for the huge impact that his philanthropy has made in his local community of Limerick.
Mr. Parkes works for the Mid West Spina Bifida & Hydrocephalus Association.

The Community Foundation helps people to engage in more effective philanthropic 
activity by matching donors with the most deserving and worthwhile causes throughout
Ireland.

www.foundation.ie

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