Strict Embargo: 20 October, 6.30pm
Issued by the
National Fundraising Awards
IRELAND’S TOP CHARITY FUNDRAISERS HONOURED AT
2009 NATIONAL FUNDRAISING AWARDS
Figures confirm that despite recession we are still a nation of givers
New research, conducted on behalf of a consortium of leading charities, has revealed that despite the fact that Ireland is experiencing a deeper recession than the United Kingdom, people in Ireland are still more inclined to donate to charity than our nearest neighbours. The research, conducted by NFP Synergy, found that 83% percent of people in Ireland gave to a charity during the first three months of this year, compared to 73% in UK. The figures were revealed as Ireland’s top charity fundraisers were honoured at the 2009 National Fundraising Awards in Dublin.
The 2009 Fundraiser of the Year Award for large organisations went to Michael Sheridan of the Mercy University Hospital Foundation. Michael raised nearly €1 million for the hospital in 2008 alone. He also created and implemented the hospital’s first fundraising strategy, initiating over 50 fundraising events, campaigns and projects over the past two years. Michael has vastly increased the status and brand recognition of the charity, and he took an active role in all fundraising events – recently completing an 80-mile cycle in aid of the Prostrate Cancer Clinic.
The Fundraiser of the Year Award for small organisations went to Stuart McLaughlin of Business to Arts, an organisation that brokers creative partnerships between business and the arts. In 2008, Stuart generated income - including sponsorship in cash and in-kind for Business to Arts - of over €390,000 and additional income for the arts sector of €260,000. In the last year, Stuart has negotiated a number of multi-year investments and sponsorships for Business to Arts and the sector worth over €1,035,000.
The Simon Communities of Ireland scooped the Fundraising Campaign of The Year Award (large organisations) for their CRH Simon Safety Challenge campaign, which netted the charity €1.62 million. The Down Syndrome Centre won Fundraising Campaign of The Year (small organisations) for their Buy My Dress campaign.
The Voluntary Fundraiser of the Year Award for over €100,000 raised went to Margaret Gill for Self Help Africa, and Michael Hilary won in the category Voluntary Fundraiser of the Year (under €100,000 raised) for his work with the Camphill Communities of Ireland.
The National Fundraising Awards were established by The Wheel, the national support and representative body for community and voluntary organisations and Fundraising Ireland, a national network for charity fundraisers, to recognise, celebrate and promote excellence in the profession of charitable fundraising.
“These are very challenging times for fundraisers, over 70 percent of charities experienced a drop in their income during the first six months of this year, and there is now a lot of pressure on fundraisers to bridge the gap left by cuts in government funding,” said Deirdre Garvey, chief executive of The Wheel. Ms Garvey added that the National Fundraising Awards provided charity fundraisers with a unique opportunity to exchange ideas and experiences, thereby improving the standard of fundraising in Ireland.
Visit www.fundriasingawards.ie for more information on the winners and their fundraising achievements. The Awards are sponsored by the Vodafone Ireland Foundation.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
Deirdre Garvey, CEO of The Wheel is available to talk about the Awards. The individual winners are also available for interview. Contact Gert Ackermann on M: 086 176 9287 or gert@wheel.ie
ABOUT THE WHEEL:
The Wheel is a national non-profit support and representative body for community, voluntary and charitable organisations. We provide a wide range of support services, information and training to individuals and organisations involved in community and voluntary activity, and we represent our sector’s interests in several forums, including the social partnership process. www.wheel.ie
ABOUT FUNDRAISING IRELAND
Fundraising Ireland is a network for fundraisers in Ireland. It was established in 2007 to provide a networking organisation for fundraisers and those associated with fundraising to meet and discuss issues of shared interest. www.fundraisingireland.com
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