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Arts in the Frame at Fourth Annual Philanthropist of the Year Awards

The Community Foundation for Ireland, one of the country’s leading foundations for developing philanthropy in Ireland, today announced the winners of the fourth annual Philanthropist of the Year awards at a luncheon held in Number 10 Ormond Quay.

This year’s Philanthropist of the Year Award winners are:
· Leslie Buckley who scooped the Local Philanthropist of the Year Award for his philanthropic support of the children’s cultural centre The Ark. Here is a video telling the story of the difference Leslie has made

 
· Mark FitzGerald was awarded International Philanthropist of the Year for his work with Amawele, the South African children’s charity that runs a cultural twinning programme with Irish and South African schools
Here is a video about his amazing contribution

· And U2 were given the National Philanthropist of the Year Award for their involvement with Music Generation, Ireland’s National Music Education Programme which aims to help children and young people access vocal and instrumental tuition in their own locality. Watch this video to see why they won

 
The awards, now in their fourth year, were set up by The Community Foundation for Ireland to shine a light on the extraordinary generosity and leadership of philanthropists in the country. The above winners join other well known philanthropists such as JP Mc Manus, Niall Mellon, Declan Ryan and Chantal McCabe in being awarded the accolade of Philanthropist of the Year.

At today’s ceremony, Tina Roche, CEO of The Community Foundation for Ireland, said, “Philanthropy is now more important than ever. Our winners this year were all focused on enhancing young Irish people’s experience of Arts and Culture. Arts and culture can play a key role in reigniting people’s pride in our country and reaffirming a feeling of self worth and unique identity that is truly Irish. Philanthropy has grown in recent years and already The Community Foundation has had a number of new funds opened in 2011 alone. We hope these most recent recipients will serve to inspire and challenge others to think of philanthropy and how they can have lasting impact on Irish society and culture.”

This year’s 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 winners were decided by a high profile independent judging panel chaired by author Deirdre Purcell.

The Community Foundation for Ireland works with philanthropists to connect them to causes which may interest them. The Foundation now manages over 50 funds. This year alone, 14 new funds have been set up with The Community Foundation and the total amount on endowment with the foundation stands at €27 million. Grants totalling €2.2 million were issued on behalf of donors in 2010, a 63% increase on 2009.