Co-op support projects that help make communities fairer for everyone. You can apply if you’re a not-for-profit group, wanting to fund a specific project that benefits your local community.
Apply by 11 June 2023.
If your funding application is successful, Co-op will work with you for 12 months. The more members that shop with Co-op and choose to support your project, the more funding you will receive.
To apply for funding, you need to send your application by 11 June 2023.
Check if you can apply for funding
The information in this section will help you to decide whether to apply for funding. Co-op know that different people use different words for community work. For this application process,
- the ‘group’ or ’cause’ means your organisation
- the ‘project’ is the activity or specific work that you are applying to fund
You can apply if your project:
- brings people together to access food
- helps to improve people’s mental wellbeing
- creates opportunities for young people to be heard and make a difference
- helps people to save and restore nature or tackle climate change
Your project must also:
- take place in the UK or Isle of Man
- take place or still be running after November 2024
To apply, your group needs to be:
- registered or based in the UK
- have their own bank account
- operating in your local community
- not-for-profit
Groups that can apply include:
- churches or chapels that are excepted charities (that means they do not need to register with the Charities Commission)
- co-operative societies
- community benefit societies
- Community Interest Companies
- credit unions
- registered charities in the UK or Isle of Man
- social enterprises
- Scout, Guide or Woodcraft Folk groups
- any other group that can prove that they are not-for-profit
Co-op cannot fund projects that:
- support individuals
- support people or projects overseas
- promote any political activities or religious beliefs – but they can consider projects led by religious groups that are for the benefit of the whole community
- use all of the funds to cover staff salaries and running costs
- give Co-op’s funding to other people or groups
- are the responsibility of local authorities
- could, in Co-op’s opinion, harm the reputation of Co-op
Check how much funding is available in your local community
The amount of funding available in your local community depends on how many Co-op members shop with them.
To estimate how much funding you could receive, enter the postcode where your project will happen. [Please go to the Co-op website to use this tool]
What you need to apply
You’ll need:
- your group’s charity number or registration details
or
- your group’s governing documents that show that you’re not-for-profit. For example, your group’s constitution, articles of association or any other official documents
You’ll also need:
- your group’s bank details- Co-op cannot pay funding into an account that is not in the name of your group
- a bank statement from the last 3 months for your group
- a description of your group and project
- 2 contacts including phone and email details
- basic information about what your group does and annual income
- a good photo (landscape, not portrait) that will help promote your project to Co-op members
What happens next
You must apply by midnight on 11 June 2023
You’ll find whether your application has been successful or not by email in October 2023
If you’re successful:
- you’ll be part of the Local Community Fund for 12 months from 22 October 2023 to 19 October 2024
- you’ll receive funds in November 2024
