I want to thank all of you who continue to support The Ireland Funds Great Britain (IFGB). As a result of the generosity of The IFGB’s philanthropic network, since April last year, we were able to grant £613,000 to 50 projects through our Annual Grant Round and as Donor-Advised Grants.
During 2019, we hosted 11 events bringing together friends, old and new, enabling us to continue our vital support of Irish community organisations across Great Britain and Ireland. One of the highlights of the year was our Gala Dinner where we presented Lifetime Achievement Awards to three extraordinary Irish people who have excelled in their respective fields: Edna O’Brien, DBE, Sir John Parker GBE, FREng and Rory Best, OBE.
Each year, we present The IFGB Annual Community Award to an individual or organisation making a significant contribution by supporting the lives of many within the Irish community. The 2019 award was made to the London Irish Centre. On behalf of all of us here at The IFGB, I wish Sean Kennedy and his team the very best as they embark on their ambitious plans to raise funds to redevelop the Centre. The redevelopment will create a unique destination for the Irish in London and a support to the local Irish community.
During 2019, we continued to strengthen our Board and welcomed new Trustees: Brian Dickie, John Feeney, Conor Hillery, Declan Tiernan and Rachel Naughton. In addition, we welcomed a new Chair to our Young Leaders’ Steering Committee, Padraig O’Connor.
We head into 2020 committed to strengthening and growing The IFGB’s network of supporters and continuing to provide much needed support to the not-for-profit organisations working across the Irish community who really need our help and support.
I hope that you will continue on this journey with us. Together, we are making real differences to the lives of so many here in Great Britain and Ireland.
Rory Godson
Chair, The Ireland Funds Great Britain
