Spar Community Cashback Scheme

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: ??100,000
• Success Rate: 0.2% (approximately 30 grants awarded from 13,500+ applications)
• Decision Time: 8-10 weeks (winners announced 1-2 months after application period closes)
• Grant Range: ??1,000 - ??10,000
• Geographic Focus: UK-wide (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland mainland)

Contact Details

• Website: www.spar.co.uk/community-cashback
• Application Portal: www.spar.co.uk/community-cashback-apply
• Email: communitycashback@spar.co.uk
• FAQ Support: Available at www.spar.co.uk/community-cashback-apply/faqs/

Overview

The SPAR Community Cashback Scheme launched in 2022 and is now in its fourth year, distributing ??100,000 annually to local voluntary and community organisations across the UK. Unlike traditional grant applications, this scheme empowers SPAR shoppers aged 16+ to nominate organisations they feel deserve funding by sharing stories of exceptional community contributions. The scheme has proven immensely popular, receiving over 13,500 applications in 2023 alone???more than 8,500 above the original target. Grants are awarded based on the strength of the applicant's story, the recipient's dedication to their community, and the credibility and impact of the proposed spending. The scheme aligns with SPAR's heritage of supporting local communities and demonstrates their commitment to the causes close to their shoppers' hearts.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

SPAR Community Cashback Scheme (Annual, Fixed Application Window)

• 5 x ??10,000 grants
• 5 x ??5,000 grants
• 5 x ??2,000 grants
• 15 x ??1,000 grants
• Total: 30 grants totaling ??100,000 per year

Application Method: Online application portal, fixed annual deadline (typically runs for 3-6 weeks in April-June)

Priority Areas

The scheme supports local voluntary or community organisations and registered charities making exceptional contributions to their communities, including:

• Homeless support services (e.g., Contact Hostel in Manchester)
• Children and youth services (e.g., Bags full of Love providing backpacks for children entering foster care)
• Disability and additional needs support (e.g., CAAP Cornwall Accessible Activities Program, Oliver's Army therapy dogs)
• Health and hospice care (e.g., St Luke's Hospice)
• Community safety and education (e.g., River & Sea Sense water safety education)
• Family support services (e.g., Positive Futures Lakeland Family Support Service)
• Local community organisations addressing specific local needs

The scheme emphasises organisations that demonstrate tangible impact and serve their local community directly.

What They Don't Fund

• Individuals cannot receive grants directly
• CICs with shares
• CICs with guarantee less than 2 years old
• Profit-making organisations
• Organisations requiring less than 100% of funds to be used for the nominated local voluntary/community organisation
• Applications containing discriminatory, offensive, or explicit material

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Governance and Leadership

SPAR UK operates through regional partners including A.F. Blakemore & Son Ltd (established 1917), which is the largest SPAR distribution centre in the UK.

Key Leadership Perspectives

Ian Taylor, SPAR UK Retail and Brand Development Director:

"This initiative is more than just funding - it's a way of showing our shoppers that we truly care about the causes close to their hearts... Supporting local communities has always been part of SPAR's heritage, and we are committed to making a tangible difference where it matters most."

Suzanne Dover, SPAR UK Brand and Marketing Director:

“The SPAR ??100k Community Cashback campaign really demonstrates to our shoppers that we care about the charities and organisations in their local communities. Supporting our local communities is part of our heritage, and we are happy to bring this to life for our consumers.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

1. Application content: Share the exceptional contribution a local organisation has made to the community and what the grant would be used for (maximum 300 words)
2. Online submission: Through www.spar.co.uk/community-cashback-apply
3. No fee: No purchase necessary

Decision Timeline

• Application window: Typically 3-6 weeks (historically April-June)
• Shortlisting process: Internal review by SPAR team
• Winner announcement: 8-10 weeks after application deadline (typically announced in July/September)
• Notification: Winners announced publicly on SPAR website and through promotional activity
• Proof of use: Recipients must provide proof within 6 months that 100% of funds have supported the nominated organisation

Success Rates

• Applications received: Over 13,500 in 2023; over 10,000 in 2024; over 4,000 in 2022
• Grants awarded: 30 per year (some years reported up to 54 recipients)
• Success rate: Approximately 0.2% (30 out of 13,500 applications)
• Competition level: Extremely competitive due to high application volumes

Reapplication Policy

No explicit reapplication policy is stated for unsuccessful applicants. The scheme runs annually, suggesting unsuccessful applicants can reapply in subsequent years. For specific guidance, contact communitycashback@spar.co.uk.

During open application period: Applicants can submit a second application if they wish to update their original submission by emailing to request the old application be removed.

Application Success Factors

Direct Advice from SPAR

"The grants will be given based on:

• The strength of the applicant's story
• The recipient's levels of dedication to their community
• The credibility of what the grant would be spent on and its impact for the local community"

Examples of Successful Applications

Recent winners demonstrate the range of causes funded:

• Bags full of Love (??10,000): Provides new backpacks filled with comfort and personal care items for every child entering foster care in West Dunbartonshire
• Contact Hostel: Support and accommodation for homeless teenage girls and young women in Manchester
• Oliver's Army: Therapy dogs supporting children and adults with autism, ADHD, and physical disabilities in Scotland
• River & Sea Sense: Water safety education for schools and youth groups in North Wales
• CAAP: Activities for children with additional needs during school holidays in Cornwall
• St Luke's Hospice: Improving patient garden facilities

Key Terminology and Language

SPAR emphasises:

• “Exceptional contribution to their community”
• “Local” organisations (local to the applicant)
• “Voluntary or community organisations”
• “Tangible difference”
• "Causes close to shoppers' hearts"

Standing Out

1. Tell a compelling story: Focus on the emotional impact and real-life difference the organisation makes
2. Be specific about impact: Clearly articulate what the grant would achieve and who would benefit
3. Demonstrate local connection: Show genuine community ties and local impact
4. Quantify where possible: Number of people helped, specific outcomes achieved
5. Show credibility: Ensure the organisation is established and trustworthy
6. Maximum 300 words: Be concise but impactful in your application

Important Requirements

• All successful applicants and recipients must participate in reasonable promotional activity at SPAR's request
• Recipients must provide proof within 6 months showing 100% of funds went to the nominated organisation
• Applications are subject to SPAR's final discretion

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Nominate through a shopper: Organisations cannot apply directly???they must be nominated by a SPAR shopper aged 16+. Build relationships with local SPAR customers who can nominate your organisation
• Extremely competitive: With a 0.2% success rate, your story must be truly exceptional and emotionally compelling
• Story is everything: SPAR prioritises the strength of the nomination story over traditional grant criteria. Focus on impact, emotion, and community benefit
• Local focus matters: Emphasise local community connections and local impact. SPAR values organisations serving their immediate communities
• Be specific about funds usage: Clearly articulate exactly what the grant would achieve and how it would make a tangible difference
• 300-word limit: Practice concise, impactful storytelling. Every word counts in such a brief application
• Annual opportunity: The scheme runs annually with similar structures, so unsuccessful nominators can try again next year with refined stories

References

1. SPAR UK Official Community Cashback Page: https://www.spar.co.uk/community/community-cashback/
2. SPAR UK Community Cashback Application Portal: https://www.spar.co.uk/community-cashback-apply/
3. SPAR UK Community Cashback FAQs: https://www.spar.co.uk/community-cashback-apply/faqs/
4. SPAR UK Community Cashback Winners 2024: https://www.spar.co.uk/community/community-cashback-winners-2024/
5. SPAR International - “SPAR UK Community Cashback Scheme awards ??100,000 to charities”: https://spar-international.com/news/spar-uk-community-cashback-scheme-awards-100000-to-charities/
6. Talking Retail - “Spar awards ??100,000 to charities as part of Community Cashback Scheme” (25 September 2024): https://www.talkingretail.com/news/industry-news/spar-awards-100000-to-charities-as-part-of-community-cashback-scheme-25-09-2024/
7. A.F. Blakemore - "SPAR's ??100K Community Cashback returns for a fourth year to support local causes": https://afblakemore.com/news/spars-ps100k-community-cashback-returns-fourth-year-support-local-causes
8. Funding for All - “SPAR UK - Community Cashback”: https://fundingforall.org.uk/funds/spar-uk-community-cashback/
9. Supporting Communities - "SPAR's ??100,000 Community Cashback Campaign 2025 Invites UK Entries": https://supportingcommunities.org/funding-news-1/2025/5/6/spars-100000-community-cashback-campaign-2025-invites-uk-entries