# US house votes to double IFI funding

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2019/06/20/us-house-votes-to-double-ifi-funding/
- Published: 2019-06-20T07:24:00+01:00
- Author: Howard Lake

**The US House of Representatives has passed a bill that doubles funding for the
International Fund for Ireland (IFI) from $750,000 to $1.5 million.**

The IFI has funded a wide range of community and business projects since it was 
established in the 1980s. Its priority is to support economic regeneration and social
development projects in areas most affected by the decades of violence in Northern
Ireland.

The increased funding was proposed by Democratic Congressman Brendan Boyle, whose
parents are from Ireland. According to the [Irish American Business Chamber & Network](https://iabcn.org/increased-funding-to-international-fund-for-ireland/),
he said the work of the IFI had become increasingly important.

## Advertisement

 [⌊Posthub advert. You create the campaign. We'll handle the postal journey. Get started at post-hub.co.uk.⌉](https://fundraising.co.uk/ads/posthub-20261007-300x250/)

“Brexit will have significant consequences for the island of Ireland,” Congressman
Boyle said.

“The border is in danger of, once again, becoming a significant barrier, physically
and psychologically, to harmonious relationships that have been delicately fostered
over the past few decades,” he said. The bill increasing funding for the IFI will
now be considered by the US Senate. In the past the IFI has been criticised by some
US elected representatives.

The IFI was established as an independent organisation by the British and Irish 
Governments in 1986 with financial contributions from the United States of America,
the European Union, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

The total resources committed to the Fund to date amount to £728m / €914m, supporting
over 6,000 projects across the island of Ireland. The Fund aims to promote economic
and social advance as well as encourage contact and dialogue between nationalists
and unionists throughout Ireland.

The IFI currently funds a number of peace initiatives, youth projects and integrated
education work across Northern Ireland and border counties.