Ireland

Grants up to €20,000 are now available for organisations conducting research into ageing and health in Ireland.

The Irish Cancer Society’s (ICS) biggest ever legacy of €2.5 million helped the charity increase its income in 2011 to €21.2 million, from €17.5 million in 2010.

Accounts for homeless people charity Focus Ireland show that it increased its income from fundraising last year by nearly 10 per cent.

The new Charities Bill for Northern Ireland has successfully passed through the next stage of the Assembly with unanimous agreement on the proposed amendments relating to public benefit.

Philanthropists Chuck Feeney, founder of Atlantic Philanthropies, and Loretta Brennan Glucksman, Chair of the American Ireland Fund, have been presented with special awards by Irish President Micha

The 2012 Irish Philanthropist of the Year Awards will take place on 12 December 2012 from 12.15 to 14.30 at Number 10 Ormond Quay, Dublin.

Fundraising Ireland has appointed Anne Maguire as the organisation's first Chief Executive. She joins from Haven where she was CEO.

Queen's University Belfast (QUB) has been awarded a grant of £15 million by Atlantic Philanthropies. This is the largest gift the university has ever received.

Eight organisations in the Irish arts sector will receive funding to appoint a fundraiser, following the announcement of support for the initiative by the Irish government.

The Ulster Bank has become the first bank in Ireland to enable its customers donate to charities at any of its ATMs in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.