The Asda Foundation - Cost of Living Grant
Up to £2000 for groups whose main activities are supporting some of the most vulnerable members of our society by providing them with the essentials, or simply providing a safe warm and welcoming space for those struggling to heat their homes during the winter.
We know communities and grassroots groups have been impacted by the ongoing Cost of Living crisis. Even if the peak of the crisis has passed, many groups continue to experience a rise in demand for their services at the same time as a decline in income and rising costs.
The Cost of Living Grant is for groups whose main activities are supporting some of the most vulnerable members of our society by providing them with the essentials, or simply providing a safe warm and welcoming space for those struggling to heat their homes during the winter.
For any other funding requests that do not relate to increased running costs, please refer to the Empowering Local Communities or Under 18 Better Starts grant guidance.
Who can apply
Applications need to have the endorsement of an Asda Community Champion, who work out of Asda’s largest stores* across the UK. They have a set budget made available to them to support a range of groups in their local community during each grant round. Asda Community Champions work for Asda and their time is gifted to Asda Foundation to support our grants process.
Groups applying must meet all the following criteria:
Group must have a presence in and benefit the local community
End beneficiaries must be community groups of people
Must be not for profit
There is no minimum timescale for how long the group has been in existence
This grant is designed to support local community groups following increases in their rent, utility bill and food costs as a result of the cost of living crisis.
There are TWO options within this grant. Groups must be clear from the outset which option they intend to apply for:
A) Increased rent and utility bill support
B) Increased food costs support
A group may decide to apply for a combination of the two options, that’s absolutely fine. Just ensure they are clear on the application.
Increased rent and utility bill support
Rent your community space?
We understand increased costs mean rent is increasing. We can support your group by helping the bridge the increase in your rent.
Own your community space?
We understand gas and electricity costs have increased, we can support you with these costs to help keep your building open to the public. If you charge groups rent, help pass on similar prices through our help.
Community needs you to open longer?
We know many people will be struggling to afford putting their home heating on. If your space remains open longer to help people, we will support these extra costs.
Increased food costs support
Many communities will be struggling to cover food costs.
This funding option enables groups to support those impacted most through the provision of meals, community cafes, food parcels, delivered meals, soup kitchen etc.
Restrictions
We do not accept applications from groups which:
Benefit people/communities outside of the UK.
Are based outside the UK
Have animal welfare as their main focus
Cannot visibly demonstrate charitable work in the local community.
Are third party grant making organisations (grantees must directly deliver the service/activity).
Have annual income above £1 million.
Promote ‘Pub Culture’
Do not have a valid Safeguarding Policy in place or are unable to provide evidence of this.
Are schools (PTAs with their own bank account are welcome to apply)
Have a clear affiliation with a particular political party.
Grant money cannot be used for the following:
Part funding as a contribution towards an item that costs more than the amount applied for.
Items requested must be purchased and costed in full.
Projects which are only for the benefit of one individual person.
Equipment which will be kept by individuals, rather than the organisation applying or equipment that is not essential to the activity taking place.
Transport costs (unless it's a vital part of your core service, e.g. food provision delivery, volunteer travel costs to deliver essential food and services).
Ongoing salaries
Work considered a core state responsibility e.g. school lessons, social care.
Short term rental of items
Promotional or advertising costs (unless this is in relation to volunteer recruitment).
Raffle prizes / Trophies / Gifts / Alcohol / Vouchers / Easter Eggs
Excursions / Day Trips / Restaurant Meals / Overseas Travel
Memberships / Insurance
Projects where a high attendance fee is charged. We want to fund inclusive projects.
Sponsorship / Fundraising /Fundraising only events
Promotion of religion or political lobbying.
Volunteer / staff only celebration events
Projects which could negatively impact the reputation of Asda Foundation.
*This is not an exhaustive list. All applications will be judged on merit and the impact and value they add to your local community. Reach out to your local Community Champion if you require any support or would like to discuss anything specific.
Eligible Expenditure
We know communities and grassroots groups have been impacted by the ongoing Cost of Living crisis. Even if the peak of the crisis has passed, many groups continue to experience a rise in demand for their services at the same time as a decline in income and rising costs.
This grant is for groups whose main activities are supporting some of the most vulnerable members of our society by providing them with the essentials, or simply providing a safe warm and welcoming space for those struggling to heat their homes during the winter.
Below you can see a list of options including examples of the kind of things we would fund.
Please note this is not an exhaustive list. If you have any concerns or want to discuss something specific, please speak to your Community and Customer Champion who will be happy to help. The full list of What We Would Fund can be found on page 3 of our criteria here.
Food and Essential Costs
Additional food and essential costs due to the cost of living crisis. (Please provide details of the requirement in the application form). This can include items such as: food parcels and family food boxes, ingredients for a soup kitchen and portable heater/blankets for a warm bank.
*Funding should be requested as a result of cost-of-living increases.
Rent and Utilities
Funding for rent and utility bills (maximum 6 months of support). This can include items such as: heating costs for a community group providing a warm bank, rental costs for a community organisation supporting a wide number of groups from the local area and electricity costs for a community hub.
Volunteering
Funding to support volunteer costs enabling them to continue supporting their groups and communities (maximum £120 per volunteer). This can include items such as: DBS checks, essential training course costs or travel costs to the volunteering location for delivering services.
How to apply
Read the full criteria to ensure your group/project is eligible to apply for this grant. A PDF version of the criteria can be found here - https://asdafoundation.org/champion-locator
Contact your local Community and Customer Champion to discuss your funding needs. Applications need to have the endorsement of an Asda Community and Customer Champion, who work out of Asda’s largest stores across the UK. You can find your local Champion by using the locator here.
Once your Champion has assessed your eligibility and group needs, they may nominate your group for a grant. Once nominated, you will receive a nomination email from the Asda Foundation inviting you to apply for a Grassroots Grant on our grant management system. Make sure to save this email as it will be required during your application.
Use the details provided in the nomination email to register on our grant management system. If you have already registered, you can skip this step and log in using your details.
After you have registered your organisation, you will then be able to apply for the Grassroots Grant that your Community and Customer Champion nominated you for. All applications must be for the amount agreed with your Community and Customer Champion, this must be one of the following amounts: £400, £500, £800, £1,000, £1,200, £1,600 or £2,000.
For detailed guidance on how to apply, read the full guide here.
*Community and Customer Champions may not be able to support every group that expresses an interest in this grant. Each superstore has a limited budget and therefore Champions reserve the right to decline an application if their store budget is reached or the project doesn’t meet criteria.