Cork Foundation to announce beneficiaries

The first two beneficiaries of the Cork Foundation fund will be announced at the organisation’s inaugural Founders’ Dinner this Friday. The non-profit organisation was set up earlier this year to help Cork-based businesses that can’t get finance elsewhere, and this week it will announce the first beneficiaries of its fund.

The foundation, whose supporters include Glen Dimplex chairman Sean O'Driscoll, Vodafone Ireland chief executive Anne O'Leary, EMC general manager Bob Savage and Arthur Cox partner Padraig O'Riordain, aims to contribute to job creation and help businesses drive economic recovery in Cork.

Chairwoman and Quintas partner Yvonne Barry said the foundation has a target to raise €5 million by connecting contributors from home and abroad directly to Cork businesses and community enterprises. "We have been very surprised by the support and financial contributions coming in. We are targeting not just business leaders and companies in Cork for contributions, but also the Cork diaspora in America." She said SMEs, entrepreneurs and community enterprises could apply for financial support through the foundation's website.

The Founders' Dinner will be held this Friday at the Rochestown Park Hotel in, you guessed it, Cork. The night will include key-note speeches from Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton, with global philanthropy guru Kingsley Aikins acting as MC.

The Founders’ Dinner will take place in conjunction with two key events in America which will be hosted by the Cork Foundation in Chicago and Boston.