The move comes as the charitable sector faces mounting financial pressures. According to Aviva, over half of UK voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations describe themselves as stable but concerned about future pressures, while a third report being vulnerable or struggling.
Research conducted by the insurer points to challenges in accessing non-statutory funding. Three in 10 surveyed organisations rely on grants from private or community foundations, yet eight in 10 said they find the application process difficult.
The Aviva Community Fund was established in 2015 to help smaller community groups and charities fund local projects focused on financial wellbeing. Its scope later expanded to include initiatives addressing the impacts of climate change. Since its launch, the programme has distributed more than £17 million and supported over 9,000 projects in the UK.
The Aviva Foundation was set up in 2018 as an independent entity and has since committed more than £17 million in unclaimed assets for public benefit. These assets consist of Aviva plc shares and dividends where no owner can be identified.
The unified structure is designed to simplify the application process for organisations of varying sizes. Aviva said the integration would also create opportunities to raise awareness of charitable causes and expand employee involvement through initiatives such as skills-based volunteering.
The charitable consolidation also comes during a period of financial growth for the insurer. In November 2025, Aviva announced it expects to achieve its financial targets one year ahead of schedule, with CEO Amanda Blanc noting that the company has been "delivering again and again for our customers and shareholders."
Claudine Blamey (pictured above), Aviva's chief sustainability officer, said the changes reflect the current state of the funding environment. She noted that charitable funding is becoming scarcer at a time when many people in the UK are not prepared to cope with financial challenges.
"It's a tough environment for charities and we want to support them to make an impact," Blamey said. She added that the new Aviva Foundation represents a commitment to helping communities build resilience by addressing financial and climate-related challenges.
