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 PresidentEamonnDeValeraandU.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.