The Community Foundation for Ireland Announces Winners of Philanthropist of the Year Awards 2016

Dublin, 21st January 2016: The Community Foundation for Ireland, one of the country’s leading philanthropic organisations, today announced the winners of the eighth annual Philanthropist of the Year awards at a luncheon hosted by Marian Finucane in Dublin.

This year’s Philanthropist of the Year Award winners are:

• Carmel and Martin Naughton as National Philanthropists of the Year for their significant and strategic philanthropic investment in many areas of Irish life, including the arts and education;
• Xilinx as Corporate Philanthropist of the Year for 10 years of strategic community partnership in Ireland. The award was accepted by Kevin Cooney, Managing Director Xilinx EMEA and Global Chief Information Officer;
• Chuck Feeney and The Atlantic Philanthropies who received The Foundation’s special Brian Wilson Award to recognise the incredible philanthropic contribution made to Ireland through The Atlantic Philanthropies, the organisation he founded and which will come to a close in 2016. The award was accepted by Mary Sutton, Country Director, Republic of Ireland at The Atlantic Philanthropies.

The awards, which are run by The Community Foundation for Ireland, were established to recognise the extraordinary generosity and leadership of philanthropists in the country. This year’s National and Corporate winners join other well-known philanthropists such as last year’s winners Brendan O’Carroll, Jim and Adeline Callery, BNY Mellon and previous winners including Keith Duffy, John Concannon, Diageo, Vodafone Ireland Foundation, Mairead Sorenson, Mark FitzGerald and Declan Ryan in being awarded the accolade.

Commenting on the award winners, Tina Roche, CEO, The Community Foundation for Ireland stated:

“This year’s winners are all long-term strategic philanthropists. They have contributed so much and made a significant and memorable impact on this country. With The Atlantic Philanthropies winding down it is good to know that other committed philanthropists, such as The Naughtons and Xilinx, remain. However, strategic philanthropy is still only developing in Ireland so we hope that these winners will inspire others to come forward and adopt a more strategic and sustained approach to giving.”

The Community Foundation for Ireland is a philanthropic organisation which seeks just and progressive social change. It provides a long-term source of independent funding for the community and voluntary sector, mostly in Ireland. The Foundation empowers people who want to make a difference through a model of philanthropy that is based on trust, effectiveness and impact by helping donors to cause sustainable change. The Foundation currently manages over 60 donor advised funds. The Foundation awards grants from its own funds in addition to the grants it administers on behalf of others. 2015 was a record-breaking year. The Foundation made grants of almost €5 million and reached the milestone of €25 million in cumulative grants since establishment in 2000. The Foundation has built an endowment fund of over €40 million.

The Philanthropists of the Year each receive an award designed by Ronan Halpin.

In the Media

> Carmel and Martin Naughton named Philanthropists of Year, The Irish Times, 21 January 2016

Learn More

> The Community Foundation for Ireland

> Buildings, Bridges and Big Bets