Co-op Local Communities Fund

Charity Number: CUSTOM_871900C2

Annual Expenditure: £5.0M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £5 million (distributed across UK communities)
  • Success Rate: Data not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Applications reviewed; successful groups notified in October
  • Grant Range: £1,000 - £5,000 (typical range)
  • Geographic Focus: UK-wide (England, Wales, Scotland, Isle of Man)

Contact Details

Website: https://causes.coop.co.uk/

Email: communityteam@coop.co.uk

Application Portal: Online applications through causes.coop.co.uk (opens annually, typically in spring/summer)

For Information: https://www.coop.co.uk/local-causes

Overview

The Co-op Local Community Fund was launched in 2016 and has since distributed over £115 million across 39,500 unique community projects throughout the UK. The fund operates through a unique member-driven model where Co-op members vote on which local causes to support, and funding levels are determined by member shopping activity. With £5 million available annually to distribute across Co-op communities, the fund aims to support projects that provide access to opportunities and resources for people to thrive. The fund is managed by the Co-operative Community Investment Foundation (charity number 1093028 in England and Wales, SC048102 in Scotland). Priority is given to local charities and organizations with an income of less than £1 million per year, ensuring support reaches grassroots community initiatives.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Local Community Fund (Annual Round)

  • Amount: Minimum £1,000 per successful project; typical range £2,000-£5,000
  • Structure: £6,000 available per Co-op community, shared between three selected local causes
  • Application Method: Online application through causes.coop.co.uk (applications typically open in spring/summer with early July deadline)
  • Funding Period: 12-month giving period (typically October to October)
  • Payment Schedule: Two payments - one mid-year payment around 6 months into giving period, and final payment within 6 weeks of period end

Priority Areas

The fund supports projects that align with Co-op values and focus on:

People-Focused Projects:

  • Food Access: Community fridges, allotments, cookery classes, and initiatives enabling people to access food and co-operate together to feed everyone
  • Youth Opportunities: Youth groups and forums that build confidence, life skills, and employability skills for young people
  • Mental Wellbeing: Sporting activities, clubs, and programs that promote mental well-being and build social connections
  • Community Cohesion: Projects that make communities fairer for everyone and promote diversity and inclusion

Planet-Focused Projects:

  • Projects that help people protect local biodiversity
  • Initiatives that tackle climate change by reducing carbon emissions
  • Sustainable futures projects

What They Don't Fund

Explicit Exclusions:

  • Promoting any religious beliefs (though religious organizations can apply if projects benefit the whole community)
  • Projects with exclusively religious or political aims
  • Salaries and overheads not directly related to delivering the project
  • Exclusively paying salaries or running costs not tied to project delivery
  • Multiple applications from the same organization in a single giving period
  • Projects that don't benefit the local community

Restrictions:

  • Only one application per organization per giving period (typically 12 months)
  • Applicant must have a Co-op membership number (non-members can join online or via Co-op App)
  • Organizations must prove not-for-profit status
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Governance and Leadership

Leadership

The fund is managed by the Co-operative Community Investment Foundation, which operates as part of the broader Co-op Group structure. The foundation oversees the Local Community Fund's strategy and distribution.

Key Approach

The Co-op emphasizes member-driven decision making, stating: "The Local Community Fund supports projects in our members' communities that provide access to opportunities and resources for people to thrive." This reflects their commitment to ensuring communities themselves decide which local projects deserve support, rather than a top-down funding approach.

Organizational Focus

The Co-op prioritizes grassroots organizations, explicitly stating that priority is given to “local charities and other organisations with an income of less than £1 million a year,” ensuring the fund reaches smaller community groups that may struggle to access other funding sources.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Application Method:

  1. Visit the online application portal at causes.coop.co.uk
  2. Review terms and conditions and eligibility criteria before applying
  3. Provide Co-op membership number (non-members can join online at time of application via Co-op website or App)
  4. Submit one application per organization per giving period
  5. Provide contact details of local people managing and delivering the project
  6. Submit documentation proving not-for-profit status (governing documents, constitution, articles of association, or charity registration number)

Eligible Organization Types:

  • UK registered charities (England, Wales, Scotland, Isle of Man)
  • Scout, Guide, or Woodcraft Folk groups
  • Registered Community Amateur Sports Clubs (CASCs)
  • Churches or chapels that are 'excepted' charities
  • Co-operative Societies
  • Credit Unions
  • Community Benefit Societies
  • Community Interest Companies (CICs)
  • Social Enterprises
  • Any other group that can prove not-for-profit status

Important Application Notes:

  • Once submitted, you cannot change your project or plans without written permission from Co-op
  • Multiple applications from the same organization for different communities will not be considered in the same giving period
  • Contact details must be those of local people delivering the project, not head office

Decision Timeline

Annual Application Cycle:

  • Applications Open: Typically in spring (May/June)
  • Application Deadline: Early July (typically first week of July)
  • Notification of Success: October (successful groups notified if selected)
  • Giving Period: 12 months (e.g., October 2025 to October 2026)
  • Payment Schedule:
  • Mid-year payment approximately 6 months into giving period
  • Final payment within 6 weeks of end of giving period (e.g., November for October end date)

Member Voting Process:

  • After applications close, Co-op members vote on which local causes to support in their community
  • Up to 3 projects selected per Co-op community
  • The more members that select a cause and shop at Co-op, the more funding that cause receives

Success Rates

Specific acceptance percentages are not publicly available. However, the scale of the program provides some context:

  • £115 million distributed since 2016
  • 39,500 unique community projects funded since 2016
  • This averages approximately 4,400 projects funded per year across the UK
  • £5 million total available annually across all Co-op communities

Reapplication Policy

The Co-op's terms state that they will only consider one application per organization per giving period (typically 12 months). While explicit reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants are not detailed in public materials, the annual cycle suggests organizations can reapply in subsequent years. For specific guidance on reapplying after an unsuccessful application, contact communityteam@coop.co.uk.

Application Success Factors

Unique Funding Model Understanding

Success depends not just on application quality, but on member engagement. The fund states: “The more Co-op members that support the project and shop at Co-op, the more money groups will receive.” This means:

  • Projects need local visibility and community support
  • Encouraging Co-op members to select your cause is crucial
  • Building relationships with local Co-op members can significantly impact funding received

Alignment with Co-op Values

Projects must demonstrate they are "in keeping with Co-op's values," which emphasize:

  • Co-operation and community benefit
  • Making communities fairer for everyone
  • Diversity and inclusion
  • Supporting those who need it most

Strong Local Focus

The Co-op prioritizes genuinely local initiatives:

  • Contact details must be for local people managing the project, not head office contacts
  • Projects must benefit the local community specifically
  • Priority given to organizations with income under £1 million per year
  • Smaller, grassroots organizations are explicitly favored

Clear Project Deliverables

Applications should demonstrate:

  • Specific, tangible benefits to the local community
  • Alignment with one or more priority areas (food access, youth opportunities, mental wellbeing, community cohesion, or environmental sustainability)
  • How funding will directly support project delivery (not just cover general overheads)
  • Local need and community support for the project

Examples of Funded Projects

Successful projects across the fund's history include:

  • GrowGood's regenerative urban farm providing fresh produce to homeless shelters while offering culinary training
  • Community fridges and allotments improving food access
  • Youth groups building confidence and employability skills
  • Mental wellbeing programs through sporting activities
  • Environmental projects protecting local biodiversity

Application Quality Tips

  • Be specific about your local community and the need your project addresses
  • Clearly articulate how your project aligns with Co-op's priority areas
  • Demonstrate community support and local engagement
  • Show how the minimum £1,000 will make a tangible difference
  • Remember that changes cannot be made after submission without written permission
  • Ensure your governing documents clearly show not-for-profit status

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Member engagement is crucial: Unlike traditional grant funding, success depends partly on attracting Co-op member support through voting and shopping activity - build local relationships and visibility
  • Think local, stay small: Priority goes to organizations with income under £1 million and projects that demonstrably benefit the local community - emphasize your grassroots nature
  • Align with one of five themes: Ensure your project clearly fits into food access, youth opportunities, mental wellbeing, community cohesion, or environmental sustainability
  • Lock in your plans before applying: You cannot change your project after submission without written permission, so ensure your application is complete and accurate
  • One shot per year: With only one application allowed per giving period, make your application count - you cannot hedge bets with multiple submissions
  • Not just about the application: Successful groups will need to actively engage local Co-op members during the 12-month giving period to maximize funding received beyond the £1,000 minimum
  • Documentation matters: Have your not-for-profit documentation ready - governing documents, constitution, or charity number must clearly demonstrate your status

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