The Cooperative Membership Fund is looking for groups of people carrying out positive work in their communities. The fund is a grant scheme helping local communities throughout the UK. Thousands of clubs, community groups and local charities have benefited through the generous donations of Co-operative members who’ve given some of their share of profits via small grants.
This year, Co-operative members have donated more than £1 million to community-based groups across the country. To qualify for a grant, projects must address a community issue through innovative, long term support while adhering to Co-operative values and principles.
A registered charity governed by The Co-operative Community Investment Fund,The Co-operative Community Fund operates on a truly local level. The money each region has to give is the money that members have donated in their area. Projects are allocated by postcode.
I’d love to see these guys throw some money at something worthwhile in my postcode: EC1. For the most part, I reckon it’s pretty gentrified round here, but maybe that’s all the more reason to help. There are still a number of elderly people in the area that could use some help with all sorts of things as well as a bunch of teens who don’t seem to have anything more interesting to do than mill about the streets.
Something like the Bexley Swimming Club would be ideal here. Indeed, there’s an indoor swimming pool steps from my flat (which I’ve been meaning to check out for months now – one for 2011 I suppose). It would be great to know (if something doesn’t actually already exist) that local folks, particularly seniors and children were able to use the pools.
Do you work with a group helping make your community a better place? Have a look at The Co-operative’s online application process. You might just find you’re eligible for their monetary assistance.
