In partnership with The Community Foundation for Ireland, the Bank of Ireland Community Fund supports charities, local community groups, and social enterprises that are building resilience across communities on the island of Ireland.

The fund focuses on future-facing projects that:

• Build capability and foster inclusion among under-served groups
• Drive systemic change to address long-term social challenges

Áine Brady, CEO of AgeWell, and Áine McCleary, Chief Customer Officer at Bank of Ireland, pictured with representatives from Bank of Ireland and AgeWell at AgeWell HQ in Summerhill, Co. Meath. AgeWell received €20,000 through the Community Fund to extend its services supporting people living with dementia.

Community Fund 2026: Supporting Inclusion, Capability and Resilience Across Ireland

Through the Bank of Ireland Community Fund 2026, we are investing €500,000 in 22 community organisations across the island of Ireland. Grants of €10,000 to €80,000 support initiatives that build capability, promote inclusion and strengthen long term resilience for underserved communities, combining flagship investments with locally led projects.

Since 2020, the Community Fund has invested over €3 million in future focused projects addressing social and environmental challenges. Delivered in partnership with Community Foundation Ireland, funding is awarded through an independent, robust assessment process to ensure support reaches organisations best placed to deliver lasting impact.

National & Multi-County Projects

• One Family (based in County Dublin)

  One Family (Dublin) – €80,000 National advocacy programme supporting lone parents to overcome structural barriers related to poverty, housing, childcare and education. The project builds confidence, agency and advocacy skills through training, media engagement and policy participation, ensuring lived experience shapes long-term national reform.

• Age & Opportunity (based in County Dublin)

  Age & Opportunity (Dublin) – €40,000. ‘Get Engaged’ supports older LGBTQ+ people aged 50+ to tackle isolation and ageism through a structured capacity-building programme, improving wellbeing, resilience and community participation nationwide.

• AsIAm (based in County Dublin)

  AsIAm (Dublin) – €40,000. National employment programme supporting autistic adults with strengths-based seminars and peer learning to overcome recruitment barriers and improve confidence, wellbeing and access to meaningful work.

• BelongTo Youth Services (based in County Dublin)

  BelongTo Youth Services (Dublin) – €20,000. National Youth Advisory Panel empowering LGBTQ+ young people aged 16–23 to influence policy, campaigns and democratic processes through leadership and advocacy development.

• Leave No Trace Ireland (based in County Wicklow)

  Leave No Trace Ireland (Wicklow) – €20,000. Inclusive outdoor education programme supporting disabled, neurodivergent and migrant participants to develop environmental skills, confidence and inclusion across shared outdoor spaces.

• ADHD Ireland (based in County Dublin)

  ADHD Ireland (Dublin) – €10,000. National programme of professionally facilitated online support groups building resilience, self-advocacy and practical life skills for individuals and families affected by ADHD.

• Common Knowledge Centre for Sustainable Living (based in County Clare)

  Common Knowledge Centre for Sustainable Living (Clare) – €10,000. Multi-county community garden project bringing together asylum seekers and local residents through food growing, biodiversity and sustainable building workshops.

• Transgender Equality Network Ireland – TENI (based in County Dublin)

  Transgender Equality Network Ireland – TENI (Dublin) – €10,000. National Inclusive Education Conference equipping post-primary educators to better support transgender and gender-diverse students through legislation, best practice and youth voice.

Northern Ireland

• North West Migrants Forum (Derry City & Strabane – based in Counties Derry/Londonderry and Tyrone)

  The North West Migrants Forum (Derry City & Strabane) – €40,000. The People’s Social Café provides asylum seekers and refugees with access to cooking, laundry, social connection and life-skills support, reducing isolation and improving wellbeing.

• Neurodiversity UK (based in Northern Ireland)

  The Neurodiversity UK (Northern Ireland) – €10,000. Community-based practical skills workshops for neurodivergent young people and adults, focusing on men’s mental health, confidence-building and peer connection in non-clinical settings.

County Projects (A–Z)

• Dublin – Together Academy

  Together Academy (Dublin) – €20,000. Cafe-based real-world training programme in Ballsbridge supporting young adults with Down syndrome to build confidence, independence and employability skills.

• Galway – Galway Rape Crisis Centre

  Galway Rape Crisis Centre – €20,000. Specialist trauma-informed therapeutic supports for LGBT+ refugees and asylum seekers who have experienced sexual violence.

• Kerry – AK Inspired (CareCycle)

  AK Inspired (CareCycle) – €10,000. Inclusive circular economy project in Tralee transforming hospital plastic waste into reusable products while creating green employment pathways.

• Limerick / Mid-West – Mid West Simon Community (Home Start)

  Mid West Simon Community (Home Start) – €10,000. Provides essential household starter packs and tenancy support for individuals and families transitioning from homelessness.

• Meath – Third Age Foundation (AgeWell)

  Third Age Foundation (AgeWell) – €20,000. Preventative companionship programme supporting older people to live safely at home through regular visits and early intervention.

• Monaghan – Down Syndrome Centre North East (Hub 21)

  Down Syndrome Centre North East (Hub 21) – €10,000. A 12-month programme delivering communication, wellbeing and family supports to build confidence, independence and inclusion for children and young people with Down syndrome and their families, including migrant families.

• Roscommon – Music Network

  Music Network – €10,000. Residency supporting an autistic musician to develop their practice while delivering inclusive community workshops.

• Roscommon – County Roscommon Women’s Network (CycleUp)

  County Roscommon Women’s Network (CycleUp) – €10,000. Pilot empowering Traveller and marginalised women through upcycling, advocacy and wellbeing workshops across the region.

• Tipperary – Tipperary Rural Traveller Project

  Tipperary Rural Traveller Project – €10,000 Culturally appropriate reading programme improving literacy and educational inclusion for Traveller children and families in Cashel.

• Waterford – Active Connections

  Active Connections – €80,000. Development of Ireland’s first inclusive outdoor education centre with regional delivery and national training impact.

• Waterford – Réalta (Open Studio)

  Réalta (Open Studio) – €10,000. Weekly supported arts programme at University Hospital Waterford for people experiencing illness, disability or social isolation.

2025 Grantees  2024 Grantees  2023 Grantees  2022 Grantees  2021 Grantees  2020 Grantees