Small revenue and project grants of between £1,000 and £3,000 are available for projects that benefit local communities in areas in which Co-op food stores and funeral homes have a presence in the UK and the Isle of Man. Projects should enable people play a part in their community’s future and/or help to protect the planet.
In 2024, a total of £5 million is available in Co-op communities across the UK. £6,000 will be shared between 3 local causes in each community. Successful groups will receive a minimum of £1,000 to support their projects. Priority will be given to organisations with an income of under £1 million a year. Grants, which can be used to cover project costs or salaries, are – as in previous years - expected to be for between £1,000 and £3,000 (i.e. grants of £3,000, £2,000 and £1,000 per Co-op community).
Applications should relate to the Community Fund’s 2024’s themes of:
Planet - projects that help to protect the planet by:
- Tackling climate change.
- Reducing waste and resource use, and/or
- Protecting nature.
and/or
People – projects that enable people to play a part in their community’s future by:
- Supporting young people to fulfil their potential.
- Helping older people feel connected, and/or
- Improving people’s mental wellbeing
A Co-op store locator can be accessed at this LINK (the Radco Stores are listed), while you can find Co-op Funeral Care locations HERE (Co-op Funeral Homes is the UK's largest funeral service provider, with over 1,000 outlets nationally).
Please note that, although the deadline for applications is Sunday 7 July 2024 and successful applicants will be announced in October 2024, the public voting process takes 12 months, with funding only released in November 2025.
This means that successful applicants will be part of the Local Community Fund for 12 months from Sunday 20 October 2024 to Saturday 18 October 2025 while public voting takes place. Selected local causes will receive funds in November 2025. The level of funding will depend on the number of votes each selected project receives. Applicants should therefore align their project proposal with this timescale.
Projects should:
- Benefit a local community in which the Co-op has a presence.
- Meet the Co-op’s values of self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity and solidarity.
- Not have religious or political aims (although religious groups can apply).
- Take place in the UK or Isle of Man, and
- Take place or will still be running after November 2025.
The application process is as follows:
- Applicants should create an account on the Co-op website.
- Applications must be submitted by midnight on Sunday 7 July 2024.
- The Co-op will then shortlist up to 3 projects to support in each community over the next giving period. This is usually for the next 12 months.
- Applicants will find out if they’ve been shortlisted by October 2024. Shortlisted projects will be part of the Local Community Fund from Sunday 20 October 2024 to Saturday 18 October 2025.
- Selected projects will be displayed in store and online in order that Co-op members can vote for which project they want to support.
- Applicants will receive funding in November 2025.
Further information, guidance and details about how to apply is available on the Co-op website.