Supporting local communities is at the heart of what we do.
Community groups and co-operatives can apply for support through one of the following initiatives.
The Co-operative Membership Community Fund
The Co-operative Membership Community Fund is our grant scheme that helps local communities throughout the UK.
Since we started the initiative in 1997, thousands of clubs, community groups and self-help organisations have benefited.
By the end of 2012 we will have donated £15million to thousands of community projects.
- Donate your share of the profits: Members of The Co-operative can donate part, or all, of their share of the profits to the Community Fund. These members have already raised millions of pounds for all kinds of community projects, enabling us to give away £2.7 million in donations last year alone.
- Apply for funding: Community groups, voluntary groups, self-help groups, community charities and local branches of national charities are eligible to apply to The Co-operative Membership Community Fund. Grants can be used to fund anything from equipment to event costs, rent or fixtures and fittings, sport or computer equipment.
The Co-operative Foundation
The Co-operative Foundation is an independent charitable trust set up in 2000. 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.
Co-operative Support
We're investing £6 million to support the creation and growth of co-operative businesses, through The Co-operative Enterprise Hub, which 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.
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.
Other Ethical Plan goals
We will ensure that 10% of the profits available for distribution is made available for community investment by 2013, with £5m deployed per annum to tackle UK poverty around our stores and branches.