23 January 2017
By Bryan T. Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie
Senator Tim Lombard & Chairperson Cork Foundation Aine Collins
The Cork Foundation recently held a briefing in Leinster House with all Cork based TD’s and Senators.
The organisation which was established in 2013 is a registered charity that matches donors to social enterprises who through this funding can create sustainable jobs, positively impacting communities at grass roots levels across the region.
In attendence was chairperson Áine Collins, CEO Pádraic Vallely and represenatives of all political parties. The key focus of the briefing was to inform all TD’s and Senators an overview of The Cork Foundation and its plans for 2017.
One of the key areas of interest at the briefing was the launch of the Cork County Council Diaspora Partnership with Cork Foundation and Ireland Reaching Out which aims to connect Cork parishes with their global Diaspora, creating visibility for their locality while building relationships with descendants of these communities from all over the world.
Áine Collins, Chairperson of Cork Foundation expressed great enthusiasm with this partnership between Cork Foundation, Cork County Council and Ireland Reaching Out, ‘This is a great opportunity to connect our Irish – Cork community abroad and at home. Our Irish community abroad is a National asset which we are delighted to be connecting to their ancestral place.’
The other key are of interest which was discussed on the day, was the importance of the social enterprise sector and the potential of this sector for Cork.
“It is so important to engage with the politicians and key decision makers in Cork. We are connecting donors and enhancing the social enterprise sector, and we need the support of all parties to deliver jobs, impact the community and change lives “ concluded CEO Padraic Vallely
Michael McGrath TD, Cork South Central, Áine Collins Chairperson Cork Foundation, Pádraic Vallely ,CEO Cork Foundation
Michael Moynihan, TD Cork NW, Áine Collins Chairperson Cork Foundation, Pádraic Vallely ,CEO Cork Foundation
What is the Cork Foundation
The Cork Foundation is a registered charity focused on providing funding for Cork based social enterprises that have the potential to create sustainable jobs. A key focus for the organisation is to connect Cork people globally to support Cork people locally.
The work of the Foundation is carried out by CEO Padraic Vallely with the guidance of a voluntary Board led by former TD and business woman, Áine Collins and including some leading figures from the private and public sector in Cork. The work of the Foundation is focused on identifying donors, which could be organisations or private philanthropists, either from Cork or with a tie to the region, who have an interest in giving back to the Cork community.
The Foundation matches these donations with vetted projects that are of interest to the donor. The criteria for funding is that all contributions must go towards creating sustainable jobs and these jobs in turn must help improve the lives and families of people living in Cork.
Board Members – Cork Foundation
- Áine Collins – Director Blueprint Consulting – Chairperson
- John Mullins – CEO Amarenco – Secretary
- Yvonne Barry- Partner Quintas – Board Member
- Conor Healy – CEO Cork Chamber – Board Member
- Deirdre Waldron – Partner Fuzion – Board Member
- Suzanne Kearney – VP SECAD – Board Member
- Noreen O Conell – Owner Optimize Food- Board Member
- Frank Hannigan – Mentor and Advisor – Board Member
