# Co-op’s £3.5 million Local Community Fund next round opens

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2026/06/09/co-ops-3-5-million-local-community-fund-next-round-opens/
- Published: 2026-06-09T08:58:34+01:00
- Author: Howard Lake

**Applications are now open for the latest funding round of the Co-op’s Local Community
Fund. Charities and community groups across the UK are invited to apply for a share
of £3.5 million “to make a difference locally”.**

Co-op “has a presence in every UK postal area” so it is looking for around 2,000
local grassroots organisations across the UK to benefit. [Since its foundation in 2016](https://fundraising.co.uk/2016/11/07/applications-open-co-op-local-community-fund/)
its Local Community Fund has helped 40,000 causes make a difference locally.

In particular Co-op is looking to support local projects in communities with a focus
on:

## Advertisement

 * enabling communities to access food
 * improving mental wellbeing
 * creating opportunities for young people
 * promoting community cohesion
 * building sustainable futures.

![Co-op sign outside the Co-op shop in Porthcawl Wales](https://wfay6x.infiniteuploads.
cloud/2026/06/co-op-shop-sign-image-co-op.jpg)

Photo: Co-Op in Porthcawl, Wales

David Luckin, Head of Social Value and Community Engagement, Co-op, said:

> “Beginning the search for new local causes to take part in a fresh round of funding
> is always exciting, our members have told us that they want Co-op to focus on 
> the real issues affecting people’s lives. Co-operation and, people working together
> can be very powerful, and our funding enables local causes to deliver projects
> that focus on issues that matter most locally. We know that things can be increasingly
> challenging for communities and through this funding we can help to make a real
> difference – helping people and communities thrive.’’

Applications to [Co-op’s Local Community Fund](https://coop.co.uk/causes) are open
until **24 June 2026**.

 * **[Co-op members’ dividend to support local causes](https://fundraising.co.uk/2016/09/27/co-op-members-dividend-support-local-causes/)(
   27 September 2016)
 * **[Co-op Foundation announces £ 1million fund for Welsh community groups](https://fundraising.co.uk/2019/05/01/co-op-foundation-announces-1m-fund-for-welsh-community-groups/)(
   1 May 2019)**
 * **[Co-op & Crowdfunder tie up offers community groups opportunity for more funding](https://fundraising.co.uk/2022/11/10/co-op-crowdfunder-tie-up-offers-community-groups-opportunity-for-more-funding/)(
   10 November 2022)**