BNY Mellon and Brendan O’Carroll win top philanthropy awards

BNY Mellon and comedian Brendan O’Carroll have been recognised for their philanthropic efforts at the seventh Philanthropic of the Year awards.

Run by The Community Foundation for Ireland, the awards were established to recognise the extraordinary generosity and leadership of philanthropists in the country.

BNY Mellon won Corporate Philanthropist of the Year for its work with Acquired Brain Injury Ireland, Wexford while O’Carroll was named National Philanthropist of the Year for his work with St Vincent de Paul.

The special Brian Wilson Award is awarded to Jim and Adeline Callery for their contribution to cultural and educational projects in Co Roscommon, including the foundation of the Irish National Famine Museum.

Boyzone’s Keith Duffy, Diageo, Vodafone and JP McManus were among the other winners.

The Community Foundation for Ireland works with philanthropists to connect them to causes they care about and ensures that their charitable donations are impactful and administered to the highest standards of governance.

Managing over 50 funds, it has awarded over €20m to community groups and charities throughout Ireland since its foundation in 2000.

Grants in excess of €3.7m were issued on behalf of donors in 2014 to charities and community groups, the highest annual amount distributed to date.

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