American Ireland Fund has best fundraising year ever
Despite the recession the American Ireland Fund had its best year in terms of fundraising last year, according to the organisation’s chief executive.
The Fund raised $40 million which is a four-fold increase on the amount raised in 2009, Chief Executive Kieran McLoughlin told the Irish Times. The Funds raises its money through a number of high profile dinners and big gift donations.
Mr McLaughlin commented that income for 2011 looked positive, with $20 million already raised to date.
The Fund’s current campaign, Promising Ireland, aims to raise $100 million by December 2013. Mr McLoughlin said the fund had already raised $70 million towards this and the campaign had not even reached the half-way point yet.
Mr McLoughlin said $50 million of the $70 million had been raised from donors, with the remaining $20 million raised from events and other activities. He said the fund raised $3 million in one night this year through its New York gala dinner event.
Mr McLoughlin said the $40 million raised last year was distributed to 200 Irish charities. Charities in Ireland will hear soon about a new grants round which closed at the end of March.
www.irlfunds.org