We do this because there is a pull to Ireland like no other. It is like an emotional umbilical cord. It brings us back, and it keeps us close.

Loretta Brennan Glucksman, Chairman Emeritus of The American Ireland Fund

That early support from The Ireland Funds was absolutely fantastic; the Ireland Funds simply kept us going and allowed us to direct the money where it was needed most.

Charles Roarty, Energy Action

One of those supporters, at a key time, was The Ireland Funds. Their head and heart were already open. They understood how community transformation could be, at once, daringly simple and infuriatingly complex. A true friend is one who accepts you for how you are made, challenges you when you need it and is there for you at the crucial moments. The Ireland Funds were good friends.

Joe Donohue, Fatima Groups United

Through The Ireland Funds, we have discovered ways to get around walls and have brought together thousands of children in the process.

Dave Cullen, PeacePlayers Northern Ireland

I have told you in the past about the magnificent work this, the largest organisation helping Ireland in the world, does for charities both here and abroad. The Ireland Funds remain a resource of incomparable benefit to Ireland...

Dave Cullen, PeacePlayers Northern Ireland

Throughout its history, The Ireland Funds have been an unfaltering supportive partner on the long, slow, sometimes frustrating and often arduous journey towards peace. Along the way, many brave steps were taken and much generous support given. As an organisation, you have made an incredible contribution to bringing enduring peace and stability to the island of Ireland. Your involvement extends today far beyond the peace process to a broad range of worthy projects that seek to tackle disadvantage, promote arts and culture, advance education and promote community development throughout the island of Ireland. By bringing together a huge network of committed people with a genuine passion for Ireland, you have gathered a momentum and a meitheal which has nudged the trajectory of history away from the dark of dysfunction and into the light of hope.

Mary McAleese, former President of Ireland 

It strikes me that it was very important for me to say that what you do matters, it truly truly matters, that your deeds are struck with an axe and that they give off sparks, you do not know where the sparks will land but they do in fact land.

Colum McCann, 39th AWB Vincent AIF Literary Award Winner 

The support from The Ireland Funds has literally made it possible for us to survive.

Colum McCann, 39th AWB Vincent AIF Literary Award Winner 

The Ireland Funds sponsored the 2003 Special Olympics Games, but subsequently they also provided a grant to help us develop a school enrichment program. Thanks to that grant, school children today are educated about people with intellectual disabilities. It's now part of the Irish educational curriculum. The program has been widely appreciated by the educational community and is in all 3.200 primary schools across Ireland. It never would have happened without the help of The Ireland Funds.

Sahra O'Neill, Special Olympics Ireland

The ultimate dream is that there would be peace & reconciliation in Northern Ireland,and without organizations like The Ireland Funds that would be a difficult journey.

Angila Chada, Springboard

The people, the culture and the heritage are what make us special. We have 6,000 years of history and you can just walk out into it and immerse yourself in it. The Ireland Funds give us a sense of belief in what we do. The support shows us that what we're doing is valued by people beyond the Burren. With these resources, we are going to realize the potential of this place.

Brendan Dunford, the Burrenbeo Trust

The Ireland Funds have been hugely important to the Ark. It hasn't been just about the money, though the money really matters. The support of The Ireland Funds is philosophical. It is an absolute energetic support that stands for the creative life, for children and their potential. It is the act of coming alongside and standing with us. We are constantly reinterpreting culture and The Ireland Funds are part of that journey.

Eina McHugh, The Ark

Funding from The Ireland Funds has not just purchased equipment. It has kept kids off the street here. It has been massively helpful and has really allowed us to move forward.

Eanes Keenan, Trainer at the Ardoyne Holy Cross Boxing Club in Northern Ireland

We are really grateful to The Ireland Funds. The support has made a huge difference to us. The Ireland Funds have given us money that we can plan with and that becomes a safety net. For the people that come to eat, it means that there will always be something there for them.

Caitriona Twomey, Cork Penny Dinners volunteer

Nor could we do much in many instances without the support of The Ireland Funds. It is not just support, it is understanding, it is being, it is love. Because Ireland's story is your story. Therefore it is America's story. For centuries the Irish came here in every generation. Today, you live the future they dreamed of.

An Taoiseach Enda Kenny at  The American Ireland Fund National Gala 2014 in Washington, DC

Historically, there hasn't been a tradition of private philanthropy in Ireland. But it's organizations like The Ireland Funds that have taken the lead. Their role has been absolutely vital to philanthropy here.

An Taoiseach Enda Kenny at  The American Ireland Fund National Gala 2014 in Washington, DC

Thanks to The Ireland Funds, we have continued our programs for children and even improved them. We've been able to offer more workshops as a direct result from the grant we received. It has made all the difference.

Bairbre Ann Harkin, Education Curator at the Butler Gallery

The Ireland Funds is a further exemplar of those values of openness, generosity and hospitality. You are recognised as one of the most dynamic and successful diaspora and philanthropic organisations in the world. We are proud of the work you do and thank you for doing it. It is making a real difference to the lives of people on the ground, many of whom are still feeling the effects of the financial crisis which afflicted us in recent years. I want you to know that your work is deeply appreciated at home in Ireland.

President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins in Chicago 2014

The Ireland Funds are hugely important and have helped us transform scientific research into real world applications. As we have no government funding, without The Ireland Funds we could not have progressed from our pilot last January to two permanent set dancing classes for people with Parkinsons. Grants like yours are invaluable and have a direct impact on the lives of those with Parkinson's.

Margaret Mullarney, Founder of Move4Parkinson's

As a small start-up based in Dublin, support from The Ireland Funds is crucial for core funding and resources for the early stages of development of an international gallery.

Michael John Gorman, CEO Science Gallery International

When we were a new organization, in 2012, The Ireland Funds were one of the first organizations to get behind us through their grant round. What that meant was that we were taken seriously by other funders, both nationally and internationally.

Niamh Gallagher, Co-Founder of Women for Election

Our work is pioneering and without The Ireland Funds' support we would not be able to deliver this. Support from The Ireland Funds is helping us to change the lives of these young people in Northern Ireland.

Elaine Forde, Project Coordinator at the Playhouse

The Ireland Funds grant really helped us. It put us on our feet. Also, the endorsement of The Ireland Funds made us a serious proposition to other funders, which was key.

Joby Fox, Folktown Market Director

There really is a credible alternative to throwing surplus food in a bin. We are getting that food out to the people who need it and we have to thank The Ireland Funds' donors for allowing us to do that. Because people like them had the faith in us to do it, the wheels are now turning.

Brendan Dempsey, Founding Member of Bia Food Initiative

I think sometimes people can think donating money or supporting a cause doesn't actually make a difference. I think the important thing to take away is that it does. It changes lives. The Ireland Funds' support demonstrates that people care. It's real money, going to real services, for real people.

Sean Moynihan, CEO of ALONE 

A grant from The Ireland Funds supported the Transition to Secondary School Program for 20 children with special educational needs who are in mainstream education. Through practical strategies and skills, specialists at Sensational Kids helped children address the challenges of this important transition, setting them up for success and better learning. Successful outcomes are now being seen across the board.

Karen Leigh, Founder of Sensational Kids