Apply for the Co-op Local Community Fund

Posted on: May 11, 2023

We 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.

If your funding application is successful, we’ll 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. We 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

We cannot fund projects that:

• support individuals
• support people or projects overseas
• promote any political activities or religious beliefs – but we 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 our funding to other people or groups
• are the responsibility of local authorities
• could, in our opinion, harm the reputation of Co-op

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- we 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

Apply for the Local Community Fund

Author: Alliance Admin
Posted: 11/05/2023
Categories: News