Cost of Living Support Grants are now open for application.
Arnold Clark, the UK’s largest independently owned, family-run car retailer, created the Arnold Clark Community Fund in 2021 to support communities in which it operates.
Cost of Living Support – funding to registered charities and community group that are within a 50-mile radius of an Arnold Clark branch and whose work directly supports those most affected by the cost-of-living crisis, such as foodbanks, accommodation, poverty relief and where people/communities in the UK are the primary and immediate focus of investment.
With the rising cost of living, more people than ever before are facing severe challenges and financial hardship. Our Cost-of-Living Support fund is available to organisations whose work directly supports those most affected by the cost-of-living crisis, such as foodbanks, accommodation or poverty relief, and any other organisation which falls into our eligibility criteria.
Applications for the Arnold Clark Community Fund Cost-of-Living Support are only eligible if the organisation falls in one of the following categories: foodbank, accommodation, poverty relief and where people/communities in the UK are the primary and immediate focus of investment. Applications are also only eligible if they’re made by an organisation that are based/operates solely in the UK and are located within 50 miles of an Arnold Clark branch.
Please note: Although we want to help everyone, we are focused on ensuring funding is distributed equally (as far as possible). This means that if we have already provided funding to a significant amount of organisations in your area, this may impact upon your application.
Who can apply
Most organisations are eligible to apply, and we particularly welcome applications from smaller voluntary and community organisations who are working with those most affected and vulnerable to the increased cost of living. Please ensure you read and understand the below eligibility criteria before submitting an application.
We welcome applications from:
- UK-registered charities
- Local community groups
- Social enterprises
- Community interest companies
- Groups of organisations that are community or voluntary-led.
- Charitable incorporated organisations
The Arnold Clark Community Fund will not fund projects relating to:
- Organisations asking for funding for private gain.
- Religious activity (unless this immediately impacts the wider community).
- Benefiting an individual rather than the wider community.
- Political activities
- Grant-giving organisations.
- Travel applications (can only be accepted if this is for day trips in local community).
- Organisations applying to use the funding to pay for wages, loan repayments or to pay off debt.
How to apply for
Cost-of-Living Support?
Firstly, please check your eligibility. If you’re eligible, all you have to do is complete the application form and tell us about your charity or community group and how we can help.
To be eligible, organisations must:
- Fall into one of these categories: food banks, toy banks, accommodation providers, poverty relief services, or organisations supporting people and communities most impacted by the cost-of-living crisis.
Please note from 2026: Charities and community groups may submit one application per campaign (Cost-of-Living, Community Support and Gear Up For Sport) per calendar year. If successful in one campaign, they are ineligible to apply for any other campaign within the same calendar year. Applications to multiple campaigns are permitted, provided only one application is submitted per campaign, however, the funder will only approve a maximum of one application per organisation. Additional applications to the same campaign within the same calendar year will be disqualified.