The American Ireland Fund (dba the
The American Ireland Fund, operating as The Ireland Funds America, is a 501(c)(3) public charity headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts. Founded in 1976, it serves as the largest and most active chapter of The Ireland Funds, a global philanthropic network with 12 chapters worldwide. The organization raises funds to support peace, culture, education, and community development across the island of Ireland and among Irish communities around the world. Collectively with its international chapters, The Ireland Funds has raised more than $750 million, benefiting more than 3,000 Irish charities.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$33.3M
+26.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.5M
+80.6% YoY
Grant Count
18
+5.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$83K
+70.5% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The Ireland Funds' mission is to harness the power of a global philanthropic network of friends of Ireland to promote and support peace, culture, education, and community development across the island of Ireland and among Irish communities around the world.
Primary funding areas include:
- Peace and Reconciliation — Supporting peace initiatives and reconciliation efforts in Northern Ireland
- Education — Providing educational opportunities and scholarships
- Arts & Culture — Increasing awareness of Irish culture and supporting cultural initiatives
- Community Development — Strengthening and developing communities, particularly for the underprivileged
Grantmaking
In 2024, The Ireland Funds America delivered over €26 million in support to more than 330 organizations, marking one of their largest years of grantmaking in their 49-year history. In 2023, the organization provided $19,550,642 in grants across 91 awards. During calendar year 2024, there were 618 grants to 275 grant recipients, totaling $26,867,499.
Grant Range
Grants typically range from $5,000 to $100,000 and above.
How to Apply
Grant inquiries should be directed to grantsinfo@irelandfunds.org. The organization maintains a grants information line and accepts applications through its website at irelandfunds.org.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Ireland Funds provides a range of financial and non-financial support for not-for-profit organizations across the island of Ireland (both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland) and for Irish causes around the world, with particular emphasis on Irish communities internationally.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 2023:
- Total Assets: $26,252,817
- Total Revenue: $35,693,926
- Total Giving: $19,550,642
As of December 2024:
- Total Assets: $33,250,579
- Total Revenues: $34,866,187
- Total Expenses: $32,157,421
The organization maintains a donor-advised fund through which donors can direct the distribution or investment of funds.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $33,250,579 | $26,252,817 | $25,730,540 |
| Revenue | $34,866,187 | $27,345,464 | $20,338,733 |
| Expenses | $32,157,421 | $25,677,333 | $21,495,023 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $1,968,769 | $1,207,324 | $794,640 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
93 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The American Ireland Fund (dba the
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- President and CEO: Caitriona Fottrell
- Chairman: Eugene M. McQuade
The organization was founded in 1976 by Tony O'Reilly, former CEO of H.J. Heinz Co., and Dan Rooney, a Pittsburgh businessman who later served as United States Ambassador to Ireland.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUGENE MCQUADE | CHAIR | 8 | — |
| SHAUN KELLY | VICE-CHAIR | 5 | — |
| ANGELA MOORE | VICE-CHAIR | 5 | — |
| SHEILA O'MALLEY FUCHS | SECRETARY | 3 | — |
| CHRISTOPHER M CONDRON | TREASURER | 3 | — |
| KATE BARTON | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| PATRICK BROE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| RORY CAMERON | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| LIAM CASEY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| THOMAS CODD | DIRECTOR | 3 | — |
| SUZANNE CORCORAN | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| KEVIN CURLEY | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| SUSAN DAVIS | DIRECTOR | 3 | — |
| LORE MORAN DODGE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| EJ FARRELL | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| IRIAL FINAN | DIRECTOR | 3 | — |
| ANNE FINUCANE | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| JOHN FITZPATRICK | DIRECTOR | 3 | — |
| MICHAEL GALLAGHER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| LORETTA BRENNAN GLUCKSMAN | DIRECTOR | 3 | — |
| KENNETH GORMAN | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| LESLIE KING GRENIER | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| HARRY HARTFORD | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| MICHAEL HIGGINS | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| MICHAEL JACKSON | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ADRIAN JONES | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| MICHELE KESSLER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| TARA MCCABE | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| DOLORES MCCALL | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MICHAEL MCGAVICK | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| WILLIAM S MCKIERNAN | DIRECTOR | 3 | — |
| BARTHOLOMEW MURPHY | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| EDMUND MURPHY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| WILLIAM MURPHY | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| SHANE NAUGHTON | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| AMY O'DONNELL ROBERTI | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MICHAEL O'HALLERAN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| RONALD O'HANLEY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ANTHONY O'REILLY | DIRECTOR (THRU 05/2024) | 1 | — |
| THOMAS C QUICK | DIRECTOR | 3 | — |
| THOMAS QUINLAN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ROBERT REYNOLDS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JAMES ROONEY | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| COLIN RYAN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MATTHEW SHAY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MAUREEN SULLIVAN | DIRECTOR (THRU 04/2024) | 1 | — |
| STEPHEN WHYTE | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| CONALL MCGONAGLE | CHIEF FINANCIAL & ADMIN OFFICER | 45 | $298,307 |
| CAITRIONA FOTTRELL | WORLDWIDE PRESIDENT AND CEO | 50 | $375,000 |
| MARJORIE MULDOWNEY | VP OF DEVELOPMENT | 40 | $200,040 |
| AINE MALLAGHAN | VP OF DEVELOPMENT | 40 | $189,923 |
| RORY MACINTYRE | SVP & CHIEF OF STAFF (AS OF 08/2024) | 40 | $158,117 |
| RACHEL ALABISO | CHIEF COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER | 40 | $121,140 |
| CHRISTINE MURPHY | FINANCIAL CONTROLLER | 40 | $120,546 |
Recent Activity
Recent developments and announcements
In 2025, The Ireland Funds reported that donors made it the most successful grantmaking year in the organization's history. The organization celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2026, marking half a century of philanthropy, partnership, and progress since its founding in 1976.
The Ireland Funds awards $250,000 to 11 organisations - The Ireland Funds,The organization hosts annual fundraising galas and events across multiple locations, including the New York Gala (scheduled for May 7, 2026), Melbourne Race Day (May 30, 2026), and New Jersey Golf Classic (September 21, 2026).
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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