ANNUAL REPORT In 1976, Dan Rooney, owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers football team and the former U.S. Ambassador to Ireland, along with fellow Pittsburgh-based business- man Sir Anthony O’Reilly, created what was then The Ireland Fund. The Ireland Fund and the American Irish Foundation, founded by Irish President Eamonn De Valera and U.S. President John F. Kennedy, merged at a White House ceremony on St. Patrick’s Day 1987, to form what is today, The Ireland Funds America. The Ireland Funds is a global philanthropic network established in 1976 to promote and support peace, culture, education and community development throughout the island of Ireland, and Irish-related causes around the world. With chapters in 12 countries, The Ireland Funds has raised over $550 million for deserving causes in Ireland and beyond, benefiting more than 3,000 different organizations. 2016 was the fi rst year after the completion of ourPromising Ireland Campaign. Typically, orga- nizations experience a 15% to 50% reduction in revenue immediately after a campaign concludes. However, we are pleased to report that our donors bucked this trend and in fact, 2016 delivered total annual revenue of $25 million which was $1 million ahead of the average annual income during the years of the Campaign from 2009-2015. Our donors’ generosity enabled this tremendous outcome and exceeded the Board’s already ambitious objective to maintain the aver- age annual income of the Campaign. It is also worth noting that 2016 delivered twice the income of the fi rst year of the Campaign in 2009. Most importantly, the revenue of 2016 enabled us to support 336 projects doing outstanding work across the island of Ireland and Irish causes abroad. Such projects ranged from Music Generation which has engaged 40,000 children and created 370 new jobs to ALONE, an organization improving the quality of life for Ireland’s elder commu- nity through outreach and advocacy. Throughout the year we also delivered on our Development Program to strengthen the capacity of our organization. This included the appointment of new development staff, rolling out of the new communications and branding strategy including a new website and marketing assets. Most importantly, led by the generosity of our donors, we increased the value of our endowment by almost 50%. The fact that these investments in our future are being led by our Board is a great vote of confi dence in our future. Speaking of our future, I am delighted to add that a number of our Young Leaders contributed to the endowment in response to the generosity of the Board. A substantial endowment is critical to the long-term of sustainability of any fundraising foundation. With this in mind and as we celebrated our 40th anniversary throughout 2016, we began planning for the shape of this organization by the time of its 50th anniversary in 2026. Many things have and will change, new needs will emerge and new methodologies will become relevant. However, the one thing that remains constant is the mission set out for us by our found- ers, Tony O’Reilly and the dearly departed Dan Rooney, which is to help the people of Ireland to achieve a prosperous and peaceful island. THANK YOU FOR ADVANCING THIS MISSION SO GENEROUSLY THROUGHOUT 2016. LETTER FROM THE WORLDWIDE & CEO PRESIDENT —Kieran mcLoughlin, Worldwide President & CEO, The Ireland Funds 1 The Ireland Funds Impact 820 grants were made in 2016. The impact of our donors’ philanthropy and investment was felt across 336 projects such as: The Ireland Funds’ vision is of peace, equality and opportunity across the island of Ireland and among Irish communities worldwide. ACROSS IRELAND AND AROUND THE WORLD, THE IRELAND FUNDS IS: Creating jobs Promoting Irish art & culture Protecting the environment Advancing social entrepreneurship Strengthening transparency & accountability in the non-profi t sector Providing inner city after-school programs Bringing meals to thousands of people on society’s margins Providing access to education Helping the homeless Ensuring the next generation is a music generation Providing guide dogs for those with disabilities Promoting dialogue across communities in Northern Ireland 2 The Ireland Funds Impact 820 grants were made in 2016. The impact of our donors’ philanthropy and investment was felt across 336 projects such as: Support for FoodCloud Hubs enabled them to cross the milestone of providing for over Young people from 21 2 MILLION MEALS counties participated in the Washington Ireland Program FOR PEOPLE IN NEED delivering over 6,000 VOLUNTEER HOURS 2M with community partners upon return to Ireland/ Northern Ireland Funding for Grow It Yourself Cottage Markets is bringing 20 new markets that improve social and economic outlooks to communities across Ireland Specialisterne was able to increase its assessment and training for 80 adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder in order to fi nd gainful employment in the technology sector 3 Thank You “The Flagship Grant from The “With support from The “What is so special about “I think sometimes people Ireland Funds couldn’t have Ireland Funds, we have built The Ireland Funds is they can think donating money or come at a better time. We something that will trans- don’t just support the ideas, supporting a cause doesn’t are recognized as being a form the accessibility and they support and believe in actually make a differ- key component to making transparency of a sector the people who push those ence. I think the important Northern Ireland a better that has, until now, been ideas. To receive support thing to take away is that it place. The grant makes such hidden in plain view. We from The Ireland Funds is a does. It changes lives. The a difference for us. Peace- present the maximum real stamp of approval that Ireland Funds’ support dem- Players is a great program amount of available data in we can carry with us to other onstrates that people care. but none of that could have a neutral and impartial way potential funders. Thank you It’s real money, going to real happened without the sup- to support better-informed for believing in us, and for services, for real people.” port of The Ireland Funds.” decisions and to help build giving the history of Ireland’s — Sean Moynihan, — Gareth Harper, Managing public trust.” — Patricia Quinn, capital back to her people.” CEO of ALONE Director of PeacePlayers Managing Director of Benefacts — Trevor White, Founder of Northern Ireland The Little Museum of Dublin 4 IN 2016, THE FOLLOWING ORGANIZATIONS WERE AMONG THOSE ASSISTED BY THE IRELAND FUNDS AMERICA. 174 Trust Dublin International Irish Hospice Foundation Roscommon County Board GAA Abbey School Piano Competition Irish Immigration Center Rowing Ireland Aisling Return to Ireland Project Dublin Jewish Board of of Philadelphia Royal Academy America Alfred E. Smith Memorial Guardians Irish International Saint Ignatius School Foundation Dublin Simon Community Immigrant Center Science Gallery International Alliance Francaise Dublin Dublin Talmud Torah Irish Men’s Sheds Self Help Africa American Irish Historical Society Eithne and Paddy Fitzpatrick Association Shalom Centre for Archbishop Marsh’s Library Memorial Fund Irish Repertory Theatre Confl ict Reconciliation Ashoka Enable Ireland Irish Society for the Prevention Sharing Point Association of Professional Enniscorthy Rugby Club of Cruelty to Children - ISPCC Sober St. Patrick’s Day Dancers in Ireland Fighting Words Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation Atlantic Challenge Ireland First Presbyterian Church Foundation Social Entrepreneurs Ireland Barnardos of Dallas Jewish Home of Ireland Social Innovation Fund Ireland Barretstown Flax Trust Job Path Society of Saint Vincent de Paul Baseball Ireland Focus Ireland John F. Kennedy Center Solas - Galway’s Picture Belvedere College FoodCloud Hubs for the Performing Arts Palace Teoranta Belvedere Youth Club Frances Pope Memorial Fdn. John F. Kennedy Library Somerset County YMCA Benefacts Friends of Londiani Foundation Special Olympics Ireland Bethany College Friends of St Lukes Kerry GAA Centre of Excellence St. James’s Hospital Foundation Blackrock College Friends of the Missionary Little Museum of Dublin St. Jarlath’s Diocesan Trust Boston College Sisters of the Holy Rosary Lyric Theatre St. Matthew’s National School Boston Health Care for the Killeshandra Inc Make-A-Wish Ireland St. Patrick’s Cathedral Homeless Program Front Line - The International Making Connections Landmark Foundation Boys and Girls Clubs of Foundation for the Protection Mallow Day Care Centre St. Patrick’s Day Foundation Dorchester of Human Rights Defenders Mark Pollock Trust St. Patrick’s Mental Brother Rice High School Future Voices Ireland Mary Immaculate College Health Service Camp Harbor View Gaelic Players Association Mary Robinson Library / Victoria Suicide and Crisis Center Campaign for Catholic Schools Gaelscoil na gCeithre Máistrí House Foundation of North Texas Cardinal Hayes High School Galway Hospice Foundation McAuley Place Temple Street Children’s Care After Prison Genio Michael McCarthaighs University Hospital Catholic Schools Foundation Glenstal Abbey Juvenile GAA Club The Gate Theatre ChangeX GOAL MyMind Centre for The Prince of Wales Foundation Chernobyl Children’s Project Gonzaga College SJ Mental Wellbeing The Rory McDonagh Trust Children’s Medical Ground Zero 360 Na Piobairi Uilleann The Soar Foundation Research Foundation Harvard Business School Narrative 4 / Tides Center Thomas F. Meagher Foundation ChildVision, National Education Haven Community National College of Ireland, Thoor Ballylee Development Centre for Blind Children Foundation Early Learning Initiative Trinity College Dublin Cill Rialaig Project Limited HeartShare National Gallery of Ireland Ulster University Foundation Cinemagic Hello World Foundation t/a Native Woodland Trust Undergraduate Awards Cnoc na Gaoithe-Tulla Comhaltas CoderDojo Foundation NEO Philanthropy University College Cork Cultural Centre Holy Family Boxing Club New York Irish Center University College Dublin Community Foundation Institute of Cultural Studies - No Greater Sacrifi ce Foundation University of Limerick for Northern Ireland Rostrevor Choral Festival NUI Galway University of St.