Applications are open for the Co-op Group’s local community fund, which gives 1% of what members spend on selected own-brand products and services to good causes.
The scheme – part of the Group’s 5 and 1 membership offer, which also puts 5% of the same spend back into shoppers’ membership accounts, has already raised for £14m for local causes.
Causes that have benefited so far include Southport lifeboats, Meanwood Valley Urban Farm in Leeds, Friends of Broughty Ferry Library, Dundee, and independent living charity Starter Packs, in Glasgow.
Applications must be submitted by 8 August. To be eligible for funding, projects or events must take place in the UK or Isle of Man and benefit their local community.
Projects must not have religious or political aims (although religious organisations can still apply), must meet the the Co-op’s values, and take place or still be running after October 2018.
Money from the fund cannot be solely to pay for staff salaries or general running costs, or to make a donation to another organisation.
Preference is given to projects run by small, local organisations.
Applicants will know if they have been selected in October, with successful candidates paid a share of the funding every three months, with the first payment at the end of January 2018 and the last in October 2018.
For more details and to apply, visit the Co-op Group’s page on the local causes scheme.
