Ireland Funds gala raises $3 million
Howard Lake | 14 May 2013 | News
The 2013 American Ireland Fund Gala in New York last week exceeded its target by $500,000 in raising $3 million in support of The Worldwide Ireland Funds’ Promising Ireland Campaign which assists Irish charities.
Among those charities helped was the Wicklow Hospice whose patron, Oscar winning actor Daniel Day Lewis, made an appearance to acknowledge the Fund’s support.
“Having Daniel Day Lewis present was remarkable, “ said President & CEO of The Worldwide Funds Kieran McLoughlin. "We were delighted to have such a celebrated actor show his support and solidarity with Ireland."
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Over 1,100 guests from business, the arts and politics attended the 38th Annual Gala at the Grand Hyatt New York at Grand Central. It is the largest of the 100 global events hosted annually by The Worldwide Ireland Funds.
The 2013 Gala paid tribute to Loretta Brennan Glucksman, outgoing Chairman of The American Ireland Fund. Under her 18-year tenure, The American Ireland Fund has become one of the largest private funding sources for not-for-profits across the island of Ireland. The award also recognised her personal generosity in having contributed over $27 million to The American Ireland Fund.
The 2013 American Ireland Fund New York Dinner Gala was chaired by John Fitzpatrick, CEO of Fitzpatrick Hotel Group NA and Adrian M. Jones, Managing Director of Goldman Sachs & Co. It is understood that Mr Fitzpatrick will take over as the new chairman of the Ireland Funds.
Kieran McLoughlin said: "Tonight brings the total amount raised since our inception in 1976 to over $445 million, with almost one third of that total raised in just the past four and a half years alone. The Promising Ireland Campaign has now provided vital support to more than 350 outstanding charities in Ireland and around the world."
About Howard Lake
Howard Lake is consultant editor of UK Fundraising. He founded the site in 1994 and successfully sold it in 2022. As director of Giving X Ltd he is exploring growing giving on a massive scale.
He is the founder of Fundraising Camp and co-founder of GoodJobs.