Press Releases

The Season of Giving arrives as the Community Foundation announce the Winners of the Philanthropist

The Community Foundation for Ireland was in festive spirit at this year’s Annual Philanthropist of the Year Awards held on 2nd December 2009 at a luncheon in Dublin. Three exceptional Irish individuals were honoured for their philanthropic work both within Ireland and abroad.

The 2009 Philanthropist of the Year Award winners are:

• Chantal Mc Cabe the founder of Social Innovations Ireland and subsequently the Immigrant Council and Young Social Innovators was awarded National Philanthropist of the Year

• John Clarke, founder and director of Friends in Ireland was awarded International Philanthropist of the Year

• and Cathal Mc Carthy, a Monaghan native who has made an outstanding contribution to his local community was awarded Local Philanthropist of the Year.

“The Philanthropist of the Year Awards give the Irish public the chance to thank those people who have and are making a difference to our society and to our communities. Such determination but also vision is even more essential in a time when many of Ireland’s services to vulnerable groups and causes are struggling.” says Tina Roche, CEO of The Community Foundation for Ireland. “Each of today’s winners is a shining example of how individuals can have a major impact on people’s lives and on social issues. They are strategic and business-minded in their approach to tackling an issue and this has led them to be very successful in their chosen endeavours. This type of attitude is what distinguishes philanthropy from charity, the vision and determination to achieve long term changes, even in these adverse times, makes all our winners truly deserving of the accolade”

The awards, now in their third year, aim to recognise extraordinary individuals who have shown outstanding leadership in the area of personal philanthropy and who, through their giving, have made a remarkable difference in bringing about sustainable social change.

The philanthropists were nominated by their peers, by members of the communities in which they work and by the non-profit organisations that they support. The awardees were chosen according to specific criteria. The winners were decided by a high profile independent judging panel which included Liz O’Donnell, Eamon Coghlan, Conor O’Clery and was chaired by author Deirdre Purcell.

Chantal Mc Cabe’s vision and generous seed funding resulted in the founding of three organisations. In 2001, Social Innovations Ireland and from this grew The Immigrant Council of Ireland and Young Social Innovators (YSI). By investing in new needs in Ireland and by backing people she identified as having vision she enabled unique social innovations to emerge which made and are still making a difference to thousands of lives in Ireland annually. Chantal was the first member of the new NGO Social Innovators Ireland and continues to be a director of the company. She is an active member of the Board of Young Social Innovators and works on sub-committees. She also gives very practical help in chairing the YSI Den Panel (project development Initiative) and has contributed her own money towards young people continuing their project work. She has volunteered at many events and continues to do so to this day.

John Clarke was a founder member of Friends in Ireland. He continues to work with the organisation and has done so for the past six years. The charity was founded on the basis of helping young children and their families who had been affected by AIDS and came about after a trip to South Africa where John and his wife, broadcaster Marian Finucane viewed firsthand the devastating impact of the disease on the local communities. His work with the organisation varied from building a Hospice and Orphan Homes in Khayelitsha in Cape Town to developing ten outreach units in the Eastern Cape of South Africa which now feed over 600 children daily. They also built a H.I.V. Out-Patients department at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Lusikisiki which now sees 3,500 patients per week and the group also runs adult-education courses in developing communities. However, his energy, enthusiasm and work on the ground and at fundraising has really been where John has had a unique impact on the success of the organisation. By developing relationships with South African Premiers, Ministers of State, Department Heads he has helped to create a sustainable long-term programme of care for the people of the Eastern Cape. Developing long-term strategies with other stakeholders has helped to develop a positive and ever increasing programme for children suffering from HIV AIDS.

Cathal Mc Carthy from Co Monaghan was awarded Local Philanthropist of the Year for his outstanding contribution to his local area and to Co Monaghan. Cathal helped to establish the first ever County Fund in Ireland which is an ongoing pool of money which is used to support various projects within the county on a case by case basis. One of the projects they are looking into at the moment is supplying the cervical cancer vaccine to all the young children of the county of Monaghan and they are hoping to roll this out in the New Year. They support young students from the area to attend third level education who previously may not have had the finances to do so. Outside of developing this fund he has been a great supporter of the local GAA Club and has helped them with funding for pitches, a new club house and new all weather pitches. He has funded various smaller projects in the area such as a mini bus which collects Senior Citizens to bring to various local meetings and clubs.

“These winners show that one individual’s actions can make a huge impact on many people’s lives. Despite the famous names of Gates and Buffet, we are finding that philanthropy is not just the preserve of the super rich. The Community Foundation for Ireland has recently launched a Flood Recovery Fund in response to the devastation experienced by so many of our friends and neighbours. The fund will be distributed strategically to local community and voluntary groups and in this way it allows people have a taste of philanthropy through personal giving that will have a very direct and immediate impact. People who want to make a difference, are strategic in their giving and have the focus can make a huge impact and these awards are a chance to shine a light on these unsung heroes.” said Tina Roche.

September 2009:

The Community Foundation for Ireland, recently was featured on RTE’s Nationwide Programme. The show which aired August 30th was entirely dedicated to the philanthropic work of the Foundation and promoted its annual Philanthropist of the Year Awards. It attracted an audience of over 300,000 views and featured interviews with Tina Roche, CEO of the Community Foundation. Deadline for nominations for the awards is September 23rd. Click here to view the show