Coop Community Fund
Coop Community Fund
The Local Community Fund supports projects in their members’ communities that provide access to opportunities and resources to help people thrive.
Who can apply?
You can apply if your project helps people to thrive in one of the following ways:
enables people to access food
creates opportunities for young people
improves people’s mental wellbeing
promotes community cohesion
builds sustainable futures
Promotes and celebrates diversity and inclusion.
To apply, your group must:
be registered or based in the UK or Isle of Man
have its own bank account
deliver activity in your local community
be not-for-profit
You must also provide a Co-op membership number for one of the people making this application (non-members can join online or via the Co-op App).
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
Restrictions
They cannot fund projects that:
support individuals
support people or projects overseas
promote any political activities or religious beliefs - but Coop 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 their funding to other people or groups
are the responsibility of Local Authorities
could, in Coop’s opinion, harm the reputation of Co-op
Eligible Expenditure
See examples of eligible projects: https://www.coop.co.uk/lcfeligibility
How to apply
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 or articles of association.
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, dated within the last 3 months, in the name of your group
a description of your group and project
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
2 contacts including phone and email details
Co-op Membership number. This is the 18-digit number on the back of your membership card or in your wallet on the App
What happens next?
You must apply by midnight on 6 July 2025.
Coop will assess all applications over the summer and email you in October 2025 about the outcome of your application.
If you're successful:
· you'll be part of the Local Community Fund for 12 months from 19 October 2025 to 17 October 2026
· your local cause will receive funds in November 2026
Useful Links
https://causes.coop.co.uk/?utm_source=vanity&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=LocalCommunityFund