# Co-op's dividend card raises funds for local groups - Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2003/12/17/coop039s-dividend-card-raises-funds-local-groups/ - Published: 2003-12-17T00:00:00+00:00 - Author: Howard Lake **Local voluntary groups can raise funds when their members shop at the Co-op.** The Co-operative Community Dividend scheme has been set up by the national retailer to help voluntary groups receive donations from Co-op Dividend cardholders’ twice- yearly dividend payment. With over one million cardholders contributing to the scheme, it has already raised nearly £5 million for a wide range of community groups. For example, Caldercruix food co-op in Lanarkshire received a Community Dividend of £1,150 to run fun healthy eating projects. Hampton House in Northampton received a £500 Community Dividend Award to buy additional equipment for its Soundbeam music workshop project. One group in the Colchester and East Essex area received just under £300 accrued by just 13 members of their organisation. ## Advertisement [⌊Posthub advert. You create the campaign. We'll handle the postal journey. Get started at post-hub.co.uk.⌉](https://fundraising.co.uk/ads/posthub-20261007-300x250/) Organisations may apply for grants of between £100 and £5,000. However, to allow as many groups as possible to benefit, grants of several hundred pounds are more common than maximum awards. Criteria for applying for funds are published on the Co-op’s Web site. You can pick up an application form in-store or download one from the Co-op’s Web site. The Co-op can help community groups in other ways. Local managers have discretion to give products as raffle prizes, although you will need a letter, on headed paper, about your community group explaining what you want the products for. Also nearly every Co-op food store has a customer and community notice board on which you can publicise your group and its events. * **[New Community Fundraising manager at Breast Cancer Campaign](https://fundraising.co.uk/2004/01/14/new-community-fundraising-manager-breast-cancer-campaign/)**( 14 January 2004) * **[Rotary raises over £150,000 for children's hospices](https://fundraising.co.uk/2004/01/15/rotary-raises-over-150000-children039s-hospices/)**( 15 January 2004) * **[Free access to NICVA's Grant Tracker for two weeks](https://fundraising.co.uk/2004/02/06/free-access-nicva039s-grant-tracker-two-weeks/)**( 6 February 2004)