The Co-operative Membership Community Fund is our grants scheme which helps local communities throughout the UK.
Since we started the initiative in 1997, thousands of clubs, community groups and local charities have benefited.
The scheme is unique in that it is funded by generous Co-operative members donating some or all of their share of profits, which is then given away in the form of small grants in their local communities. These members have already given millions of pounds away, and last year alone over £1 million was awarded to successful groups.
Every penny counts, give your community a boost
If you would like to become one of the 1.7million members who support their communities through their kind donations to the fund –
pledge to donate here and let everyone know you are going to do it!
How to donate
If you are a Member of The Co-operative Group and would like to start donating to The Co-operative Membership Community Fund, or you’d like to increase the amount you give to The Fund, please
log in to your profit account with your membership number, and visit the ‘manage your profit account’ page. You can choose to contribute as little or as much as you want from your share of profits. Alternatively contact our membership helpline on
0800 023 4708.
Tell someone about it
If you’ve pledged then thanks so much for your generosity. If you know of a local community group that may benefit from the fund why not let them know you’re supporting it and tell them all about it. Send an e-card by clicking the link here:
How to apply
If your community, voluntary or self-help group needs a grant of up between £100 and £2,000, you can apply using our online form.
How to donate
If you are a Member of The Co-operative Group and wish to start donating to The Co-operative Membership Community Fund, or you’d like to increase the amount you give to The Fund, please login to your profit account with your membership number, and visit the ‘manage your profit account’ page. You can choose to contribute as little or as much as you want from your share of profits. Alternatively contact our membership helpline on 0800 023 4708.
How the money has been spent
In 2009, 938 awards were made, totalling over £1million. Here’s how those awards were distributed:
See how some community groups who benefited recently have used their awards
The Co-operative Youth Music and Drama Festival
The Co-operative Youth Music and Drama Festival has been in existence for 64 years and had recently benefited from Community Fund Awards from area committees working in the Yorkshire and Humberside region who are committed to supporting the Festival and promoting opportunities for young people to get involved in creative arts.
The Festival aims to provide young performers of all abilities with a platform where they may gain the confidence to move on to greater heights in many different areas of music and drama.
“The Co-operative Community Fund can make a real and lasting contribution to local communities, and we are delighted to make this award to the Festival. Many community groups share our co operative values and could benefit from an award, and we would certainly welcome their applications,” said The Co-operative's regional secretary Suzanne Heron.
By using our businesses such as shops and pharmacies, members receive a share in all the profits we make. Lots of members choose to donate their share to the Community Fund so they can support local projects in their area, like The Co-operative Youth Music & Drama Festival. Anyone can become a member.
Download the 2011 Syllabus - PDF [984 KB]– Once you've clicked on the link, select open or save.
Download an entry form for the Co-operative Youth, Music & Drama Festival: 2011 entry form - PDF [26 KB]– Once you've clicked on the link, select open or save.
If you use access technology to view PDF documents, go to the Adobe Accessibility Resource Center which provides information and tools. An online PDF conversion tool can be found at the Adobe online conversion tools for Adobe PDF documents.
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18th Tynemouth Scout Group
Scouts from Tynemouth are trailing ahead following a donation of £2,000.
The 18th Tynemouth Scout Group, which meets in Battle Hill, Wallsend, has seen its membership more than double over the past 18 months to more than 90 members. To support its youth programme, the group is planning more camping trips and has used the money from The Co-operative Group to help buy a trailer to make transporting its camping equipment easier.
Scout Leader Peter Thorp said: “Over the past two years we have had to hire vans to take all our equipment to campsites but this was proving to be a great expense.
“Thanks to this very generous donation from The Co-operative Group, the new trailer means we don’t have to pay for van hire and can therefore reduce the camp fees and make outdoor activities more accessible to more of our members. We are very pleased with our purchase.”
Lisvane Panthers
The Lisvane Panthers in Cardiff applied to The Co-operative Membership Community Fund in September 2009, for £450 to enable them to purchase football kits for their newly formed Under-7’s team. The club had attracted over 20 girls and boys who wanted to learn how to play football and to play against other local teams on a monthly basis.
The Co-operative Membership Community Fund is a trading name of the Co-operative Community Investment Foundation (CCIF), a registered charity in England and Wales (number 1093028), and a Company Limited by Guarantee, (number 4117665)
Central & Eastern Region
Once again members share of the profits have touched the lives of over a hundred groups and thousands of individuals across the Central & Eastern region. The 2009 Community Fund Report has been commissioned by the Values and Principles committee and tells of the successful groups who applied for funding in 2009. From a breakfast club in Derbyshire to a diversity dance club in Hertfordshire. Bringing this report together has shown me how generous our members are and how much they care about their community. The Community Fund is changing lives and giving others a much needed life line in this time of economic need. You can request your free copy by emailing membership.central&eastern@co-operative.coop with your full postal address or download the pdf
South East Region
Take a look in the 2009 South East Region Community Fund Report to see how the generosity of our members has made a difference to dozens of community groups throughout the region. Projects have included art activities, tree planting, a luncheon club and counselling support. To see details of all the successful groups request your free copy by emailing membership.southeast@co-operative.coop with your full postal address or download the pdf