funds and foundations

Supporting local communities is a crucial role for co-operatives and is at the heart of our activities and our co-operative heritage. Community groups and co-operatives can apply for support through one of the following initiatives:

Community Support

Community Fund

Over the past 10 years our members have donated more than £8m to The Co-operative Community Fund, allowing hundreds of local groups, projects, community groups, self-help organisations and charities nationwide to benefit. Funding goes to projects that demonstrate benefits to their local community, have a charitable purpose, and are in line with The Group’s values and principles.

2010 marked the biggest ever donation by members, allowing us to donate £1.7 million to deserving groups across the UK. So if you chose to donate, thank you!

Find out more about the Community Fund.

The Co-operative Foundation

The Co-operative Foundation is an independent charitable trust set up in 2000 by The Co-operative Group's former-United region. The Foundation's current grant making programme, Truth about Youth, is aiming to challenge and change negative perceptions about young people, by working with seven charities in cities around the UK. 

Find out more about Truth about Youth.

Co-operative Support

The Co-operative Enterprise Hub

We're investing £7.5 million to support the creation and growth of co-operative businesses, through The Co-operative Enterprise Hub. The Co-operative Enterprise Hub provides expert advice on the practicalities of running a co-operative business, from legal implications to membership structures. Start-up and existing co-operatives can access free advice and support, including up to four days of specialist consultancy, and a package of grants and loans.

Find out more about The Co-operative Enterprise Hub 

The Co-operative Loan Fund

The Co-operative Loan Fund works closely with The Co-operative Enterprise Hub to support co-operatives throughout the UK, through the provision of accessible, ethical loan finance. It exclusively lends to co-operatives and is entirely funded and run by co-operatives, so unlike many conventional lenders it truly understands and actively supports democratically owned and controlled enterprises.

The Co-operative Loan fund is willing to make unsecured loans and does not ask for personal guarantees.

Find out more about The Co-operative Loan Fund.