The Worldwide Ireland Funds today announced the launch of the Promising Ireland Campaign, a fundraising initiative with a goal of raising $100 million among its global network on four continents by 2013.

The campaign will help charitable and non-profit organizations across the island of Ireland and Irish communities abroad meet the challenge of increased demand for their services at a time of major reductions in resources.

Anticipating growing need, the Funds began a quiet phase in 2009 and have successfully raised over $40 million towards the $100 million goal.  Today’s announcement represents the beginning of the public phase of the Promising Ireland Campaign.

Speaking on behalf of the twelve Ireland Funds around the world, President and CEO of The Worldwide Ireland Funds, Kieran McLoughlin said, “Irish charities are facing a difficult period along with increased demands on their services, yet they are doing so with great innovation and focus. 

This campaign is a response to that intensified need and our donors have indicated they are ready to meet the challenge. The name of the campaign, Promising Ireland, reflects both our pledge to Ireland and our belief in her future.”

Chairman of The American Ireland Fund, Loretta Brennan Glucksman said, “This campaign is our call to action and reinforces our abiding commitment to the island of Ireland as a place and a people that hold great promise for the future.  Needs are greater today and so the benchmark of our response must also be greater.  The Worldwide Ireland Funds have represented the generosity and goodwill of the Irish diaspora and the Irish themselves.  This campaign translates that goodwill into action that will truly help those most in need and funds will be distributed as they are raised over the course of the campaign.”

Fundraising for the campaign will be carried out across the Funds’ global network with chapters in the United States, Ireland, Great Britain, Monaco, Australia, New Zealand, China, Singapore, Canada, France, Germany and Japan.

The Worldwide Ireland Funds are an international charitable network operating in 12 countries and have raised over $350 million for worthy causes in Ireland and around the world.  The mission of The Ireland Funds is to be the largest worldwide network of people of Irish ancestry and friends of Ireland dedicated to raising funds to support programs of peace and reconciliation, arts and culture, education and community development