Community Foundation names Irish top philanthropist
Howard Lake | 11 March 2019 | News
Feargal Quinn has been named The Community Foundation for Ireland’s (CFI) National Philanthropist of the Year 2019.
The businessman and former senator was honoured for his work over many years in assisting community groups, helping charitable causes and giving through his Quinn Family Foundation.
Other winners at the awards, the 11th since its foundation, were the Kerry Group (Corporate) and the Katharine Howard Foundation (Brian Wilson Award). The awards recognise and celebrate leadership and generosity in the area of philanthropy.
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Tina Roche, Chief Executive of the Community Foundation for Ireland, said society should not underestimate the positive role philanthropists play in raising awareness of the value and impact of strategic giving.
“Our goal in establishing the awards was to acknowledge and celebrate those individuals, organisations and corporate bodies who give back to community and society at large, strategically and over the long term,” Ms Roche said.
“Feargal Quinn, the Kerry Group and the Katharine Howard Foundation have shown through their positive impact at home and abroad how giving back enriches not alone those who receive but also those who give,” she added.
Feargal Quinn
Among the citations honouring Feargal Quinn, founder of super market chain Superquinn and former Chairman of An Post, was one from the Family Support Network. Sadie Grace, CEO, Family Support Network, said that the Quinn Family Foundation had been “forward thinking and brave” in supporting families who had been impacted by substance misuse.
Kerry Group
The Kerry Group award followed nominations from Concern Worldwide, Special Olympics (Europe/Eurasia) and a UK and Indian charity, the Noon Memorial Trust. Dominic McSorley, CEO Concern Worldwide, said that Kerry had donated €1.25m over five years to transform lives in Zambia, and in 2018, committed a further €1m to support Concern’s work in Niger.
Katharine Howard Foundation
The Katharine Howard Foundation (KHF), established in 1979, works closely with children and families by supporting community projects and initiatives in disadvantaged locations. Its recent strategic projects included grant aiding parents with young children in helping develop parenting skills.
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.