Fundraising

Supermarket grants

Many PTAs are exploring supermarket grant schemes as a way to raise funds, as they can represent more money for a lot less manpower...

Your local supermarket can be a great source of support for school fundraising projects, combining a grant application with community spirit. Typically, you apply online, but in some cases an approach to the in-store community champion is needed to get the ball rolling. Some initial planning is required because you need to have a specific project in mind that fulfils the grant’s criteria. Grants from five of Britain’s biggest supermarkets cover a considerable range of amounts, timescales and criteria, so we’ve boiled it down to the facts to make it easy for you to see which one suits you best.

If you do apply but aren’t successful, don’t be put off. Instead, review your application to see how it can be improved. Remember, application numbers can be high, so sometimes it’s just a numbers game. If you can, ask the organisation why you have been unsuccessful to get an insight into what can be improved.

Even if your application is successful, you still have work to do. Schemes such as Co-op's Local Community Fund and Waitrose Community Matters are dependent on a public vote, so you'll need to drum-up support for your project before and during the time you are one of the nominated causes. Use social media to boost awareness, and send press releases to local papers and radio stations to reach more people. Ask if the supermarket has any promotional materials or templates you can use, and if you’re holding a PTA event during the voting period, take advantage of having a captive audience to promote even more.

Co-op Local Community Fund

What is it? The Co-op Local Community Fund supports projects that make a difference to local communities near the company’s stores. Schools and PTAs are eligible to apply.

Amount: It depends on where you live, but most communities receive £4,000-£6,000 to be shared between three causes.

Length of time as a cause: One year

Deadline: The fund opens once a year, with a June deadline.

How it works: Up to three successful organisations will become the good causes for their local store for one year, starting each October. Once customers have joined Co-op’s membership scheme, one per cent of their spend on own-brand products is donated to the cause of their choice every time they scan their membership card. At the end of the year, any unallocated funding is split equally between the causes. Funds are received in two payments – one in April and one in November.

Criteria: Your project must benefit your local community and could include improvements to indoor or outdoor local spaces, wellbeing activities to support the mental or physical health of the community, or helping people reach their full potential by developing their skills.

What else does it offer? Co-op also offers its staff members two days’ paid leave per year for voluntary work. Ask in your local store to see if this could benefit your school.

Tesco Fruit and Veg Grants

What is it? The Tesco Fruit and Veg Grant scheme is a token scheme that’s managed and implemented by community charity Groundwork UK and is funded by Tesco’s carrier bag charge.

Amount: All projects in Tesco’s scheme win money, but the amount rewarded depends on the vote – first place receives £1,500, second place £1,000 and third place £500.

Length of time as a cause: Projects are changed every four months.

Deadline: Ongoing.

How it works: Eligible projects are reviewed, and the best three from each area are put forward for a public vote every four months, with customers able to use a token to vote for the cause they want to support.

Criteria: Grants can be awarded to not-for-profit organisations, including registered charities and schools. Projects to be funded must improve children's access to free fruit and vegetables, to support health and a nutritious diet.

What else does it offer? Ask in store for your local Community Champion to see how they can support your PTA.

Waitrose & Partners Community Matters

What is it? Each Waitrose branch runs a token scheme that supports three different community groups each month.

Amount: A share of £3,000 (£1,500 for the winner, £1,000 for second place and £500 for third).

Length of time as a cause: Three months

Deadline: Ongoing

How it works: Charitable organisations can apply to their local Waitrose store to be a good cause. Customers receive a token when they shop, which they place in the box of the cause they’d like to support. This dictates how the funding is split.

Criteria: The scheme supports any local good causes. Projects nominated must have a food element. Examples include: garden projects, cooking classes, education and equipment needed to cook nutritious food, initiatives that tackle food waste, reduce polution and foster a deeper connecion with where our food comes from.

What else does it offer? The Community Matters Partner Volunteering initiative means that local causes can bid for ‘partner time’. Ask in store for details.

Asda Foundation 

What is it? The Asda Foundation has a range of funding streams, each with different priorities. The grants available change from time to time, so it's always worth checking the website for updates. Some funds are available for schools, some for PTAs, some for neither, so check eligibility carefully.

Amount: Varies depending on the funding stream. Awards can range from £400 to £25,000.

Length of time as a cause: Most grants are one-off awards for a specific project.

Deadline: Deadlines vary from scheme to scheme. 

How it works: Funding streams can support initiatives such as improving mental health, transforming community spaces and empowering young people.

Criteria: The Foundation aims to support projects that tackle underlying problems in the local community, benefit the wider community and make a real long-term difference.

What else does it offer? Community Champions at each store can volunteer their time locally, and the Asda Foundation enables colleagues to boost funds they raise for charitable causes through match funding. Worth finding out if you have an Asda employee in your midst!

The Morrisons Foundation

As with the Asda Foundation, the Morrisons Foundation’s grant funding does not involve a public vote. Grant applications can take up to eight weeks to review, and you will be notified on the outcome of your application even if it’s unsuccessful. The maximum grant award is £20,000, and you must be registered with the Charity Commission of England and Wales or Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator. Funding can be used for renovations and upgrades, small scale construction, equipment and installations and/or transforming environments. Bear in mind then applying, grants awarded must fully fund a project. Applications for projects close to a Morrisons branch, supporting a deprived community, with a lasting legacy and/or benefiting a larger number of people are more likely to be favoured.

What else does it offer? The Foundation also march-funds money that Morrisons colleagues raise for their chosen charities, so it's worth asking if you have any Morrisons employees within your school community. 

Other supermarket grants

It's not just the chains with supermarket superstores that offer grants. If you have a convenience store in your local area that is part of any of the following organisations, you could apply for funding from them too.

A.F Blakemore (Spar): afblakemore.com/about-us/our-community

Nisa: nisalocally.co.uk/community

One Stop: groundwork.org.uk/one-stop-community-partnership

The above is intended as guidance only. We recommend that you contact the relevant organisations with specific reference to insurance, legal, health and safety and child protection requirements. Community Inspired Ltd cannot be held responsible for any decisions or actions taken by a PTA, based on the guidance provided.