AIB opens €1 million charity fund with extra anniversary boost

AIB Branch Manager Peter Hughes pictured with RNLI staff and volunteer crew at the 2026 AIB Community Fund launch

Communities across Ballymena and Northern Ireland are being urged to nominate local charities for support after AIB officially launched the fifth year of its Community €1 Million Fund — with additional funding added this year to mark the bank’s 60th anniversary.

The initiative, which has already supported nearly 300 charities across the island of Ireland since 2022, will distribute funding to more than 70 organisations in 2026, including charities operating across Northern Ireland and Great Britain.

This year, AIB has also announced an extra €60,000 contribution to the fund, increasing the level of support available for community organisations delivering frontline services, educational projects, health initiatives and local support programmes.

For charities in Ballymena and the wider County Antrim area, the scheme represents another opportunity to secure significant financial backing at a time when many voluntary organisations continue to face growing demand and funding pressures.

Funding boost aims to support more local organisations

Nominations officially opened on Friday, May 8, with AIB calling on customers, staff and members of the public to put forward registered charities making a difference in their communities.

Funding will be allocated through two separate nomination streams — one chosen by the public and AIB customers, and another selected by AIB employees.

Under the public nomination process, the top seven charities in Northern Ireland and Great Britain will each receive £15,000.

A further £10,000 award will go to the eighth highest nominated charity as part of the bank’s 60th anniversary celebrations.

Meanwhile, the top five charities selected by AIB employees in Northern Ireland and Great Britain will each receive £5,000.

Where a charity is successful in both streams, the combined funding could total either £20,000 or £15,000 depending on the category awarded.

The successful charities are expected to be announced in early autumn.

RNLI says funding helped expand water safety programme

Pictured (L-R), Pete Snodden, AIB's Peter Hughes, Philip Johnston, David Eccles and Kyle Marshall from RNLI

Among the organisations supported through the 2025 fund was the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), which received £15,000.

The charity said the funding helped deliver its 2026 “Meet the Lifeguard” programme — an educational initiative aimed at improving water safety awareness in schools and local communities.

Killian O’Kelly, RNLI Fundraising and Partnership Lead, said the support had allowed the organisation to continue important preventative work.

“Receiving the funding from the AIB Community €1 Million Fund has enabled us to continue our work in the community by raising awareness of water safety to prevent drowning,” he said.

“We were beyond delighted and extremely grateful to have received this support.

“We are touched by everyone in the local community who nominated us and would encourage everyone to nominate the charities close to their hearts and vital to their communities.”

The fund has previously supported a range of Northern Ireland organisations including Cancer Focus NI and Down Right Brilliant, highlighting the broad range of community causes benefiting from the initiative.

AIB says community connection remains central to the fund

Brian Gillan, Head of AIB NI, said the scheme continued to play an important role in supporting organisations working directly within local communities.

“With the AIB Community €1 Million Fund now in its fifth year, it’s a pleasure to launch this initiative once again,” he said.

“Community and local connection are at the heart of life in Northern Ireland, and through the Fund we’re proud to support the charities and community groups doing such important work right across the region.

“This year’s additional funding means we can extend that support even further, helping more organisations to make a real and lasting difference in their local communities.”

Broadcaster Pete Snodden, who is supporting this year’s launch campaign, said community organisations were facing increasing pressure.

“Community support is more important than ever, which is why I’m proud to help spread the word and encourage nominations to the AIB Community €1 Million Fund,” he said.

“This initiative makes a real and tangible difference to organisations working at the heart of communities right across the island of Ireland.”

How the nomination process works

Funding will be distributed across six regions:

• Munster

• Ulster (ROI)

• Greater Dublin

• Rest of Leinster

• Connacht

• Northern Ireland & Great Britain

The public nomination process and employee nominations are running simultaneously across the island of Ireland.

Nominations close at 5pm on June 19.

Full details on eligibility and how to nominate are available at aibni.co.uk/community

With many charities continuing to navigate rising operational costs and growing demand for services, the latest funding round is likely to attract strong interest from organisations across Ballymena and Northern Ireland in the weeks ahead.