1 connect 2017 | 3 Message from the Chairman 5 Message from the Worldwide President & CEO 6 Your Philanthropic Impact—Thank You! 10 Remembering Dan Rooney: the soul the soul and sage of The Ireland Funds 14 Music Generation: phase 2 expands to nine new areas of Ireland 18 Grow It Yourself—Cottage Markets: helping the heart of communities 22 Fighting Words Belfast: thousands of children in Northern Ireland tell their stories 26 The Washington Ireland Program: tomorrow’s leaders take NYC 30 EPIC: empowering people in care 32 Benefacts: data for social good 36 Galway Community Circus: community, confidence... clowns! 40 BeLonG To: safe space for Ireland’s safe place for Ireland’s LGBT youth 44 FoodCloud Hubs: a unique solution bringing surplus to tables across Ireland 47 The Coalition of Irish Immigration Centers: services for immigrants in need contents 58