Giving Circles - Core
Giving Circles as they currently
manifest themselves are a new trend, but they are
built on old traditions dating back hundreds of years
to mutual aid societies and other forms of community
giving.
Giving Circles began springing up in the late
1990’s clearly modeled on the popularity of
investment and book clubs.
In Dublin, a group of friends have chosen to use their
collective skills to transform things for the better.
Since 2004, with the assistance and support of The
Ireland Funds, the Core group, a Giving Circle of
twenty friends, family and business associates has
sought to change others’ lives for the better
by raising awareness of and providing funding for
a range of worthwhile causes.
|
Back to Front, Left
to Right:
Mariea Mullally, Olwyn Mannix, Helen Fullen, Mary Claire Markey, Emmanuelle Woods,
Jordan Campbell, Noeleen Morris, Mary O Connor, Margaret Penny, Valarie Ringrose
Fitzsimons, Claire Lemass (Chairman 2007) Deirdre Lemass
Not Pictured: Marie Connors, Ingrid O’Connor, Nancy O’Donnell, Hilary
Lemass, Mel O’Rourke, Grainne Weber |
The women are from various professional and personal
backgrounds, each with a strong personal motivation
to give back. One member finds it personally rewarding
to improve the city where her family lives. Noeleen,
another member, enjoys the fact that one doesn’t
necessarily need a corporate background to engage in
philanthropy. Mary hosted a “coffee morning” to
raise awareness and funds among her circle of friends
and family.
The
group meets every other month at the offices
of The Ireland Funds in Dublin to review where
their pooled resources can make the biggest difference
and to plan their fundraising strategies. The
Ireland Funds identify projects that meet the
group’s criteria, complete
a comprehensive due diligence process and evaluate progress.
Over the past three years the group has awarded grants
in excess of $200,000 to projects in Ireland and overseas.
In 2007, the group shifted their focus to suicide, a
serious problem in Irish society and selected Console,
an organisation established in 2002 by families that
had experienced the grief of loosing a love one by suicide,
as their charity of choice. The mission is to provide
seed funding to develop Ireland’s first child
psychotherapy service for children and young people
bereaved through suicide.
So on Thanksgiving Day, the group held their annual
fundraiser attended by 350 people at the spectacular
Dublin City Hall. Entertainment for the evening was
provided by the accomplished harpist Seana Davey, the
roof-raising Dublin Gospel Choir, Acabella and the inspirational
Frances Black.
While many may express a desire to help others the Core
Giving Circle is a inspirational example of what can
be accomplished if you just start.
Information
Helen Fullen, Director of Development
T -
(353) (01)
662 7878
E - email >
Photos
1. The group meets every other month in The Ireland
Funds’ office in Dublin
2. Liam Sommerville, Billy Fitzgerald, Laura McGee, Tony Kirwan, Maria Blaney
3. Frances Black
4. The Dublin Gospel Choir at the fundraiser
5. Guests
6. John Murphy; Paul Kelly, Founder of Console; Valerie Ringrose Fitzsimons
7. Mary Claire Markey; Claire Lemass, 2007 Core Committee Chair; Marie Gavin |
DONATE
NOW
