Foundation Info

Foundation Mission
The Milwaukee Irish Fest Foundation was formed in 1993 to advance the charitable and educational purposes for which Irish Festivals, Inc. was originally formed.

The Foundation will solicit and receive gifts, bequests or grants to this end, and will engage in other activities which promote its charitable and educational purposes, and which raise funds for the Foundation.

Since it began awarding grants in 1994, the Irish Fest Foundation has provided more than $250,000 in grants. Recipients in Ireland include the Tommy Makem School of Song, Willie Clancy Summer School, Omagh Community Choir, Francis McPeake School of Music, Northern Ireland Arts Council, and the Tyrone Guthrie center.

Some of the local cultural and educational beneficiaries have been the annual Irish Language weekend, Suburban Milwaukee Ulster Project, Winter Feis, Milwaukee Irish Arts, Celtic Women International, Shamrock Club Color Guard, Alverno Presents, Next Act Theatre, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, Skylight Opera Company, Tosa Tonight, African-celtic Conference, "Re-Imagining Ireland" Conference, Wisconsin Scottish, Midwest Folk Alliance, Jeremiah Curtin House, Wisconsin Art Board, Wisconsin Historical Foundation, and UW-M Foundation.

Community organizations receiving grants include St. Catherine's Residence, St. Francis Children's center, Special Olympics, Ranch Community Services, St. Ann center for Intergenerational Care, Gilda's Club, The Cathedral center, Hebron House, Connections Senior center, and the Bottomless Closet.

Special donations were made to the Irish Cultural and Heritage center, and to the American Red Cross and the 911 Fund in September, 2001.

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