Keeping Young Hearts Beating: OKC is proud to work with the Dillon Quirke Foundation to Advance their Life-Saving Cardiac Screening Mission
OKC has been proud to work with the Dillon Quirke Foundation (DQF) since its launch in 2023, supporting the Foundation in building a strong and sustainable fundraising strategy and in securing philanthropic and corporate investments to enable their vision. Through working closely with the Foundation’s Board and Executive team, we have helped DQF engage key donors, secure partnerships, and ensure a sustainable and robust financial plan needed to continue to save young lives.
About the Dillon Quirke Foundation
A young life taken too soon. A life-saving mission to make sure that others don’t have to suffer the same tragic loss.
The Dillon Quirke Foundation (DQF) was established in 2022 after 24-year-old Dillon Quirke tragically passed away from Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS) during a hurling match.
DQF aims to prevent similar tragedies by offering free cardiac screenings to young sports players across Ireland, detecting heart conditions before they become fatal and, in the process, saving countless lives. Through a comprehensive, doctor-led service delivered directly to sports clubs in partnership with Advanced Medical Services (AMS), Ireland's leading mobile cardiac screening provider, DQF has already made a significant impact, with 10,128 young people screened as of December 2024. Thanks to the visionary leadership of Dillon’s Dad, Dan Quirke, and incredible community support, €1.3m in fundraised income was secured before the Foundation’s official launch, with OKC's support playing a key role in sustaining and growing its success in 2024/25.
Laying the Groundwork for Success
From the outset, OKC has worked in collaboration with DQF to provide strategic fundraising expertise, including:
Supporting Founder, Dan Quirke, through strategic counsel and advice, helping him navigate fundraising and leadership while honouring Dillon’s legacy in a sensitive manner.
Working closely with the Board and Executive on the strategic direction of the Foundation.
Guiding the evolution of DQF’s fundraising approach from short-term, transactional efforts to a strategic, relationship-driven model focused on long-term sustainability.
Positioning the Foundation for long-term philanthropic investment by refining strategic pitches, securing high-impact grants, and deepening Board engagement.
Working closely with the Board to leverage connections and unlock philanthropic and corporate partnership opportunities.
Successfully structuring an annual giving campaign, leveraging ambassador engagement to strengthen donor participation.
Developing a compelling Case for Support, encompassing a powerful narrative that resonates with supporters passionate about sports, health, and social impact.
Proactively identifying and engaging with new funding partners to diversify and strengthen DQF’s financial base.
Leveraging strategic relationships to unlock new opportunities and drive sustained philanthropic support.
Supporting DQF in securing high-impact multi-annual philanthropic partnerships at 6-figure levels, demonstrating strong momentum in donor support and philanthropic engagement.
Momentum and Growth
With exceptional leadership from DQF and ongoing support from OKC, the Dillon Quirke Foundation has achieved remarkable fundraising milestones:
Surpassing 2024 fundraising targets ending the year at 130% of target, reflecting the strength of DQF’s mission and donor engagement.
Significant pledges already secured for 2025 at 90% to target by February 2025, with additional funding opportunities in the pipeline.
“Working with OKC has been a transformative experience for our Foundation. From the very beginning, their team partnered closely with our Founder, Executive, and Board to develop high-impact philanthropic opportunities and corporate partnerships which are not only successful but aligned with our long-term vision. Their support in developing our Case for Support and guiding us through the entire pitching and grant application process has been invaluable. Their expertise helped us evolve from a transactional fundraising approach—relying on one-time donations and jersey sales—to a more strategic, relationship-based fundraising model. We are excited about the future, and their partnership has been a key driver in setting us up for continued success." – Becky Bristow, Head of the Dillon Quirke Foundation
Looking Ahead
As DQF continues to grow, OKC remains committed to providing strategic support by:
Strengthening corporate and philanthropic engagement, helping to cultivate and expand key relationships to drive sustained engagement and investment.
Developing a 2025-2028 Fundraising and Philanthropy Strategy to guide long-term impact.
Assisting in the development of compelling proposals, funding applications, and innovative donor engagement strategies to secure transformational support.
A Shared Commitment to Impact
The Dillon Quirke Foundation is saving young lives, and OKC is proud to play an ongoing role in enabling their mission. Their success is a testament to the power of relationship-building, community engagement, and the transformational impact of strategic partnerships and philanthropy. We look forward to continuing our work together as the Foundation expands its reach and saves more young lives across Ireland.