Co-op Opens New £3.5 Million Local Community Fund Round

Members will use the Co-op membership app to vote on which local projects receive support, giving communities direct control over grant decisions.

Overview

The Co-op has launched a fresh round of its Local Community Fund offering a share of £3.5 million and is inviting community groups across the UK to apply.
Applications are open now and close on June 24, 2026, with groups asked to apply and submit details at coop.co.uk/causes.
Funding is aimed at projects focused on improving access to food, boosting mental wellbeing, creating opportunities for young people, strengthening community connection, and supporting sustainability.
The programme is funded by member contributions and guided by member engagement through the Co-op app, where more than seven million members can view and choose causes.
Since the fund launched in 2016 it has supported about 40,000 local causes, a track record that the Co-op says helps communities meet basic needs and build resilience at a grassroots level.