Award-winning charity banking provider*, The Co-operative Bank, has once again opened applications to its Customer Donation Fund.
The fund is open to organisations that are Co-operative Bank customers and hold a Community Directplus account. This account is specifically for registered charities, community interest companies, benefit societies, co-operatives and credit unions and offers them access to ethical and free everyday banking.
Since the Customer Donation Fund was set up back in 2003, the bank has donated over £1.1 million to more than 1,000 community projects, with £100,000 donated this year alone to support communities through the cost of living crisis.
Among those who have received funding from the Customer Donation Fund in 2023 are North London-based Barnet Collective, a Community Interest Company providing vulnerable individuals and families, from refugees to the elderly, with weekly deliveries of fresh produce donated by individuals, businesses and charities.
The Barnet Collective began operating in 2020, delivering food to three families, but as demand for their services has grown amid the cost-of-living crisis, they now make deliveries to around 60 households weekly, providing them with a vital safety net.
The collective partners with schools, churches and social workers to identify households that they can support and works closely with local food charities such as The Felix Project who are a key supplier, as well as other community groups.** Crucially, the collective does not see itself as a foodbank but rather a top-up service and a vehicle for the local community to come together to tackle food poverty in a practical way.
The charity applied for £1000 from the Customer Donation Fund and were awarded the full amount.
Joe Tweg, chair of trustees at Barnet Collective said:
“The money we have received from The Co-operative Bank Customer Donation Fund has been crucial. The donation has been used to purchase cooking equipment such as hobs and utensils and introduce health and safety measures, which has enabled us to kick-start a community cooking project.
“Having money available to carry out this project has meant we have the capacity to create more relationships with local groups and leaves us better placed to support the community.”
Amelia Burnett, SME Product Manager at The Co-operative Bank, said:
“Supporting our customers, particularly smaller charities and community projects, has never been more important. We are proud to have been able to provide these grants to projects across the UK that are positively impacting communities, at a time when many people are facing cost of living challenges.”
Applications for the next round of funding are now open and Community Directplus customers can fill in an application form here.
