b'ConnectSPRING / SUMMER2 0 1 5Dear Supporters,Thanks to you 2014 was one of our most successful years yet. We grew our revenues considerably and mostimportantly we were in a position to make grants of over $2 million a month to Irish charities. As anorganization we saw great growth across our network with several record breaking events in many of our 12 Chapters.We have also increased coordination and cooperation among the worldwide Chapters making our fellowship more effective across the world.We are fully committed to maintaining this momentum in 2015, which is essential. The recovery in Ireland is gathering pace and the country has distinguished itself as being one of the most entrepreneurial worldwide. Critically, unemployment has now fallen below the European average, something unimagi-nable not so long ago. And yet this progress has been achieved by the Irish people making great sacrifices. The result is real need and pressure on the ground. With guidance from our Board and our colleagues inIreland we direct your support to those projects that are meeting those challenges most effectively and most imaginatively. In this edition of Connect you will read about outstanding projects that are delivering real help and opportunities where it is needed most.These projects are among the 650+ organizations which have been supported through the Promising Ireland Campaign.In 2015, we are determined to close our Campaign by reaching our goal of $200 million, double our original target of $100 million. In all that we do we are blessed by great leadership.Each of our Chapters is led by an excellent Board and Chairperson. In the US, John Fitzpatrick is entering his second year in his Chairmanship after a wonderfully successful first twelve months. I thank him and all of our leaders for their extraordinary generosity with their time, talent and treasure.Through your philanthropy you are making a tremendous impact when it is needed most. You arereally standing up for Ireland and helping restore lives and livelihoods. Kind regards,Kieran McLoughlinPresident and CEOThe Worldwide Ireland Fundsconnect2015 | 5'