Irish-American entrepreneur Chuck Feeney, whose philanthropy provided nearly €2 billion in funding to Irish causes, has died at the age of 92.
As the Irish Times reports, the philanthropist died peacefully at his home in San Francisco on Monday, it was announced.
Through his organisation Atlantic Philanthropies, Mr Feeney made grants totalling more than $8 billion (€7.57 billion) on five continents.
He took a particular interest in Ireland and spent much of his fortune developing civil society and peace initiatives on the island.
Billionaire Bill Gates called him the “ultimate example of giving while living”.
This included $1.3 billion donated to projects in the Republic and $570 million to projects in Northern Ireland before he formally wound up the organisation in 2020.
Tánaiste and Minsiter for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin said he was “deeply saddened” to learn of Mr Feeney’s death.
“Through Atlantic Philanthropies, Chuck’s vision, generosity and selfless leadership transformed the lives of people on the island of Ireland, north and south, young and old, through investment in education and community.”
Mr Martin said he was “a pioneer in the world of philanthropy. Ní bheidh do leithéad arís ann.”
Set up in 1982 to disburse much of Mr Feeney’s wealth, Atlantic Philanthropies made 6,500 grants over the period, with its last financial commitment made at the end of 2016.
His death was announced by Atlantic Philanthropies on Monday. “Chuck was as passionate about making a positive difference in the lives of others as he was about being successful at business,” said President and chief executive Christopher G Oechsli.
“He cared more about being effective at what he did than about amassing wealth or collecting awards. In philanthropy, that meant being present and engaged in an unassuming manner with the people and their work who, with his support, could improve the lives of others in meaningful and lasting ways.”
In the Republic, The University of Limerick Foundation received the highest grant aid at $181.5 million, followed by the Trinity Foundation at $162.1 million, Dublin City University Education Trust at $128.2 million, Cork University Foundation at $91.2 million, and Galway University Foundation at $79.5 million.
Other notable grants include $18.9 million to the Health Service Executive, $15.6 million to children’s charity Barnardos, and $10.4 million to the Irish Hospice Foundation.
University of Limerick president Professor Kerstin Mey paid tribute to the Irish American philanthropist Chuck Feeney following his passing.
“I am sure I speak on behalf of the entire University of Limerick community past and present in expressing our sorrow at the loss of one of the most giving of men in Chuck Feeney.
“I was fortunate to meet him and his wife Helga as recently as March in San Francisco, and it was a privilege to spend some time with him.
“I want to offer my sympathy on behalf of the institution to his family and to celebrate a truly extraordinary legacy that he leaves behind as an inspiration to all,” he said.
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