Ireland Park Foundation
Canada Ireland Foundation is a Toronto-based registered Canadian non-profit that commemorates Irish Famine migrants through two waterfront parks and a new 9,600 sq ft arts venue (The Corleck, opening November 2026), presenting Irish theatre, lectures, and exhibitions to Irish Canadians and the broader public.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1997
- HeadquartersToronto, Canada
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Ireland Park Foundation does
Canada Ireland Foundation (formerly Ireland Park Foundation) is a registered Canadian non-profit organization founded in 1997 by Robert G. Kearns to commemorate the approximately 38,560 Irish Famine migrants who arrived in Toronto in 1847 and to deepen Canadians' connection to Irish culture. The Foundation operates a portfolio of three physical heritage assets on Toronto's waterfront: Ireland Park (opened 2007), a commemorative public park with seven Rowan Gillespie sculptures and limestone memorial columns; Grasett Park (opened 2021), honouring the physicians and caregivers who perished aiding the migrants; and The Corleck (opening November 2026), a $20-million restored 9,600-square-foot multipurpose arts venue at Eireann Quay.
The Foundation's programmatic offerings include the annual Bealtain Theatre Festival showcasing contemporary Irish theatre, the Canada Ireland Talks lecture series, virtual exhibitions such as the Irish Famine Migrant Stories digital exhibit (developed with the National Famine Museum at Strokestown Park), the A Fateful Journey documentary, and the Network Ireland professional networking series for young Irish-heritage professionals. Programs are delivered through physical venues, partner venues including The Chelsea Hotel and Theatre Centre, and a multi-channel digital footprint spanning the company website, Instagram, Facebook, X/Twitter, YouTube, and email newsletter.
Revenue is generated through four streams: tax-receipted individual donations (one-time and recurring), event ticket sales (single tickets CAD $30-$55 plus package deals for the Bealtain Festival), corporate and individual event sponsorships, and planned giving/legacy gifts. The Foundation is supported by major institutional funders including the Government of Canada (via Canadian Heritage's Canada Cultural Spaces Fund), the Government of Ireland (via the Department of Foreign Affairs Emigrant Support Program), the Province of Ontario (via the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund), and the City of Toronto (via land leases for parks and The Corleck). Leadership is provided by Founder and Chair Emeritus Robert G. Kearns, Chair Mark Purdy, and Executive Director William B. Peat, with a board drawn from major Canadian law firms, financial institutions, and cultural organizations.
Ireland Park Foundation firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Ireland Park Foundation
- Legal name
- Canada Ireland Foundation
- Website
- https://canadairelandfoundation.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1997
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Canada Ireland Foundation is a Toronto-based registered Canadian non-profit that commemorates Irish Famine migrants through two waterfront parks and a new 9,600 sq ft arts venue (The Corleck, opening November 2026), presenting Irish theatre, lectures, and exhibitions to Irish Canadians and the broader public.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Ireland Park Foundation industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Cultural Heritage Programming
- NAICS
- Historical Sites (712120), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712), Museums (71211)
- SIC
- Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Museums & Heritage Sites (History, Science, Specialty) (BPAGAHAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Public Art, Arts Councils & Grantmaking Programs (BPAGAHAH), National Parks & Protected Area Visitor Services (Concessions, Guided Access) (THAAAAAH)
Keywords
Where Ireland Park Foundation is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Toronto
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Ireland Park Foundation business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Donations and Charitable Contributions: The Foundation operates as a registered Canadian not-for-profit organization relying primarily on community donations. Supporters can make one-time or recurring monthly or quarterly donations and receive email confirmations with tax receipts. The Foundation's work is made possible through contributions from community members, government partners, and private donors.
- Event Ticket Sales: Revenue generated from theatre performances, festivals, and cultural events. Single tickets for Bealtaire Theatre Festival range from $30-$55, with package discounts available.
- Event Sponsorships: Corporate and individual sponsorships for events and cultural programming.
- Legacy Gifts and Estate Planning: Planned giving and estate donations to support the Foundation's long-term mission.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Single tickets for Bealtaire Theatre Festival productions |
| Other | Monthly | Donation-based support |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels8 records
Ireland Park Foundation product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Ireland Park Foundation operates two commemorative public parks on Toronto's waterfront (Ireland Park and Grasett Park) honouring Irish Famine migrants and the Canadian caregivers who assisted them, and presents a portfolio of Irish and Irish-Canadian cultural programming including the Bealtain Theatre Festival, Canada Ireland Talks speaker series, art exhibitions, and the Network Ireland community series. A new 9,600-square-foot multipurpose arts and culture venue, The Corleck, opens at 3 Eireann Quay in November 2026 to serve as the Foundation's headquarters and programming hub.
Product overview
The Ireland Park Foundation (now operating as Canada Ireland Foundation) is a cultural heritage organization operating a portfolio of commemorative spaces and arts programming. Core offerings include: Ireland Park and Grasett Park (two public commemorative parks on Toronto's waterfront honouring Irish Famine migrants and the caregivers who assisted them), The Corleck (a new multipurpose arts venue opening November 2026), the annual Bealtain Theatre Festival showcasing contemporary Irish theatre, Canada Ireland Talks lecture series, digital exhibitions including Irish Famine Migrant Stories and A Fateful Journey documentary, and Network Ireland professional networking events. The organization functions as a platform combining physical heritage spaces with cultural programming and digital exhibitions.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Ireland Park
- Grasett Park
- The Corleck
- Bealtain Theatre Festival
- Canada Ireland Talks
- Irish Famine Migrant Stories Virtual Exhibit
- A Fateful Journey Documentary
- Network Ireland
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 4.4 million Canadians with Irish heritage can connect with their cultural roots through Foundation programs.
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Ireland Park Foundation
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Ireland Park Foundation technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Ireland Park Foundation partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.
- Government of CanadacoreGovernment of Canada, through Canadian Heritage's Canada Cultural Spaces Fund, provided $726,126 to support The Corleck venue equipment including lighting, sound, video and staging systems.
- Government of IrelandcoreGovernment of Ireland is a lead donor and partner in the development of Ireland Park and other Foundation initiatives. The Department of Foreign Affairs Emigrant Support Program supports Foundation projects.
- Province of OntariocoreProvincial government partner providing funding support for Ireland Park development.
- City of TorontocoreCity of Toronto provided the land for Ireland Park and Grasett Park, and entered into a lease agreement for The Corleck building. Partner in park development and revitalization projects.
- Digital Museums CanadasecondaryDigital Museums Canada investment program (managed by Canadian Museum of History with Government of Canada support) supported the Irish Famine Migrant Stories virtual exhibition.
- National Famine Museum, Strokestown ParksecondaryPartnership with Dr. Jason King, Academic Coordinator, for development of Irish Famine Migrant Stories exhibition content.
- Druid Theatre CompanycoreIreland's renowned touring theatre company performing at The Corleck for inaugural event. Druid has 51-year history and will present Samuel Beckett's Endgame November 2026.
- Arts Council of IrelandcoreMajor funder and supporter of Druid Theatre productions and Irish arts programming presented by the Foundation.
- Culture IrelandcoreGovernment body promoting Irish arts internationally, supporting Irish theatre productions and cultural events at the Foundation.
- Luminato FestivalsecondaryToronto arts festival presenting Masterclass at Bealtaire Theatre Festival 2026.
- Ontario Cultural Attractions FundsecondaryGovernment of Ontario program supporting the Bealtaire Theatre Festival.
- Kearns Mancini ArchitectssecondaryArchitecture firm led by Jonathan M. Kearns that designed Ireland Park.
- Denegri Bessai StudiosecondaryArchitecture and design firm responsible for Grasett Park design.
- Waterfront BIAsecondaryBusiness improvement area supporting The Corleck and waterfront revitalization initiatives.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Ireland Park Foundation competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Luminato Festival: Toronto's leading multi-disciplinary arts festival and an active programming partner of the Foundation (e.g., presenting Masterclass at Bealtaire 2026). Comparable as a larger Toronto arts nonprofit producing festivals and live programming.
- Heritage Toronto: Toronto-based heritage nonprofit operating citywide heritage programming, awards, and walks. Comparable in operating commemorative and educational programming around local history and culture.
- Canadian Museum of History: Canada's national museum of human history and administrator of the Digital Museums Canada investment program that supported the Foundation's virtual exhibition. Comparable as a federally-supported heritage institution with public education and exhibition mandates.
Direct peers
- The Ireland Funds: Global Irish-diaspora nonprofit (formerly including Ireland Fund of Canada and American Ireland Fund) that supports Irish heritage causes through donations and partnerships. Directly comparable in mission and diaspora-fundraising model.
- Ireland's Great Hunger Museum (Quinnipiac University): Museum dedicated to the Irish Famine and its global impact, located at Quinnipiac University. Directly comparable as a heritage institution focused on commemorating the same Irish Famine migrants the Foundation's parks honor.
- American Ireland Fund: US chapter of The Ireland Funds and a sister diaspora nonprofit where the Canada Ireland Foundation's founder was previously a Director. Closely aligned mission of building Ireland-diaspora connections through cultural and philanthropic support.
- Ireland Fund of Canada: Canadian chapter of The Ireland Funds, dedicated to supporting causes of Irish concern in Canada. Robert G. Kearns previously chaired the Ireland Fund of Canada, making this a closely related heritage organization.
- National Famine Museum, Strokestown Park: Irish national museum on the Great Hunger located at Strokestown Park House, which partnered with the Foundation on the Irish Famine Migrant Stories virtual exhibition. Highly comparable as a heritage site preserving Famine-era history.
Regional players
- Irish Cultural Centre (UK): UK-based Irish heritage and cultural center offering events, language classes, and community programming for the Irish diaspora. Comparable as an Irish heritage venue operator, but focused on the British-Irish diaspora market.
Others
- Toronto Arts Council: Municipal arts funding body supporting Toronto's nonprofit arts organizations. Comparable as a Toronto nonprofit-arts ecosystem participant and potential funding partner rather than a direct competitor.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Ireland Park Foundation social profiles
Digital presenceIreland Park Foundation financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Ireland Park Foundation leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Ireland Park Foundation funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Ireland Park Foundation M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Ireland Park Foundation
What does Ireland Park Foundation do?
Ireland Park Foundation operates two commemorative public parks on Toronto's waterfront (Ireland Park and Grasett Park) honouring Irish Famine migrants and the Canadian caregivers who assisted them, and presents a portfolio of Irish and Irish-Canadian cultural programming including the Bealtain Theatre Festival, Canada Ireland Talks speaker series, art exhibitions, and the Network Ireland community series. A new 9,600-square-foot multipurpose arts and culture venue, The Corleck, opens at 3 Eireann Quay in November 2026 to serve as the Foundation's headquarters and programming hub.
Is Ireland Park Foundation a public or private company?
Ireland Park Foundation is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Ireland Park Foundation founded?
Ireland Park Foundation was founded in 1997. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Ireland Park Foundation based?
Ireland Park Foundation is headquartered in Toronto, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Ireland Park Foundation make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Donations and Charitable Contributions are the primary driver. The others are event Ticket Sales, event Sponsorships and legacy Gifts and Estate Planning.
Who are Ireland Park Foundation's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Luminato Festival, Heritage Toronto and Canadian Museum of History. Direct peers are The Ireland Funds, Ireland's Great Hunger Museum (Quinnipiac University), American Ireland Fund, Ireland Fund of Canada and National Famine Museum, Strokestown Park. Irish Cultural Centre (UK) is listed as a regional player. Toronto Arts Council is listed as an others.
Does Ireland Park Foundation have an API?
No public API is recorded for Ireland Park Foundation.
What industry is Ireland Park Foundation in?
Ireland Park Foundation's product category is Cultural Heritage Programming. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAHAA, Museums & Heritage Sites (History, Science, Specialty), with a secondary code of BPAGAHAH, Public Art, Arts Councils & Grantmaking Programs. Its NAICS code is 712120 and its SIC code is 7900.