Inishowen Credit Union launches €100k fund for local community groups and schools

After the success of last year’s initiative, Inishowen Credit Union is proud to announce its 2026 Community Fund, with a total of €100,000 available to support local projects across the peninsula.

This year’s focus is on initiatives that deliver meaningful, long-lasting benefits to local people, reflecting the credit union’s deep involvement in the community.

This year, two distinct funding streams will be available. One fund is dedicated specifically to primary and secondary schools in Inishowen, while the second will support community-led initiatives.

Schools can apply for up to €1,000 to fund projects within their institutions. Other local organisations – including non-profits, community groups, charities, and clubs – can apply for funds ranging from €2,000 to €10,000.

While schools with larger projects are welcome to submit applications for both funds, only one grant can be awarded per school.

The fund aims to foster educational, social, cultural, health and environmental projects that benefit the wider community, while ensuring a fair geographical spread across the peninsula.

Last year, the fund had a remarkable impact, with €50,000 spent on purchasing defibrillators and supporting local first responder groups.

Inishowen Credit Union has also expressed its sincere gratitude for the guidance and support received from local organisations, particularly first responder groups, whose insight helped shape and strengthen the initiative.

Reflecting on last year’s success, CEO Jonathan Coyle said: “As CEO of Inishowen Credit Union, I am filled with tremendous pride when I reflect on the impact of our 2025 Community Fund. Through the generosity of our members, commitment of our Board/Volunteers and professionalism of our staff, we undertook a project that has made a real and lasting impact on the lives of our community.”

Mr Coyle added: “I am really excited about our 2026 fund, which has been doubled in size to €100,000 and hearing from our members and the wider community about the projects that they would like to see funded.”

Chairperson Colm McColgan said: “The allocation of €100,000 for 2026 demonstrates the depth of commitment of the Inishowen Credit Union members to help secure our children's future (education and environment) and to recognise and practically support our peninsula's rich social and cultural life.”

Operations Manager Brendan Malone highlighted the ongoing impact of the fund too, stating: “When we launched this fund last year, we wanted to create a lasting legacy for Inishowen. Seeing the impact of these defibrillators across our community in year one has been incredible.”

“The Community Fund has been a huge success, and we are delighted to be heading into year two to keep making a difference for our members and the wider community.”

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Local first responder groups who benefited from the fund also praised its support. A representative of the Bocan Community First Responder Group said: “The Credit Union fund was a tremendous support to the Bocan Community First Responder group as we got established in our local Community. It was able to provide funds towards a mobile defib for our group and also a static defib to be located at one of our local national schools. As a group, we are extremely grateful for this fantastic support.”

Another local first responder group, Clonmany First Responders, added: “The funds received from the credit union helped us towards ensuring we could maintain vital life-saving equipment in our community. We appreciate this financial support, which helped us in our start-up year. The credit union team was very helpful and supportive of us during this time.”

Applications for the 2026 Community Fund are now open. To apply or find out more, visit the website www.inishowencu.ie, or email: info@inishowencu.ie

You can also scan the QR code to visit the Inishowen Credit Union community fund page directly. Closing date for applications is May 25, 2026. (See more details in the Inishowen Independent newspaper on Tuesday, April 14).