The Cost of Living Grant scheme is provided and administered by Asda Foundation, Asda's charity. The Cost of Living Grant scheme is managed by the local Community Champions.
Proposals must be:
- True to their community mission.
- People-centred.
- Efficiently run.
- Locally focused.
The Grant is one of three funds within the Grassroots Grants programme, which aims to empower Community Champions and grassroots groups to apply for what’s important in local communities.
The aim of the grant is to help local community groups cope with the increase in their running costs and the provision of warm banks is included.
The priority themes for funding are:
- Increased rent and utility costs.
- Increase in food costs and other essentials.
- Volunteer-related costs.
Grants between £400 and £2,000 are available.
For volunteer recruitment and training, essential training course costs is capped at £120 per person.
Project and running costs are supported and eligible costs for each theme include (but not limited to):
- Increase in rent/utility bills: support to keep community buildings open to the public or increase opening times to help people stay warm e.g. increase in heating costs for a community group providing a warm bank; increase in rental costs for community organisation supporting a wide number of groups from the local area; increase in electricity costs for a community hub.
- Volunteer support: to strengthen and boost volunteering in local communities for costs that directly benefit service users e.g. travel costs to the volunteering location; travel costs required to deliver services; refreshment costs; non-electronic equipment, materials, clothing/uniform needed for the role.
- Increase in food costs and other essentials: support for people most affected to cover the cost of basics to address an immediate need and/or situation e.g. food provision for those in need; food parcels and family food boxes; ingredients for soup kitchen/community café to be able to make hot meals; items to deliver the warm bank offer; basic clothing for a clothes/baby bank; portable heater for warm bank; personal hygiene items.
Combination applications are accepted e.g. extended opening times of a community café.
How to apply:
The closing date for applications is 24 May 2024. Applicants are advised to apply early as it may close early if funds are depleted.
Application forms are only available from Asda Community Champions, who are based in local Asda superstores.
Applicants can use the store locator link on the Foundation website to get in touch with their local store and speak to their Community Champion about their project proposal. Application forms may be completed by hand (preferred) or digitally.
Applicants can apply for funding for both rent/utility bill support and increased food costs within the one application form.
Applications should be submitted at least six weeks before activities are due to begin.
Groups should contact their local Asda Community Champion for further information.