The closing date for applications is 8 November 2024.
Applicants are advised to apply early as funds may be depleted before the closing date.
Application forms are only available from Asda Community Champions, who are based in local Asda superstores, and can nominate eligible groups.
The Costing of Living Grant scheme is provided and administered by Asda Foundation, Asda’s charity. The Asda superstores each have a Community Champion whose role is to support groups and projects within the community, as well as manage Asda Foundation grant applications.
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. The request must be for one of the following fixed amounts: £400; £500; £800; £1,000; £1,200; £1,600; or £2,000.
For volunteer recruitment and training, essential training course costs is capped at £120 per person.
Local not-for-profit community groups based in the UK may apply.
The following criteria apply:
- The group must have a presence in and benefit the local community.
- The end beneficiaries must be community groups of people.
- There is no minimum timescale for how long the group has been in existence.
- There is no income limits for organisations.
- Annual income is below £1 million.
Groups can apply for a Cost of Living Grant in addition to one other grant or Green Token Giving offered by Asda Foundation.
Groups may secure one Grassroots Grant per year
Project and running costs are supported and eligible costs for each theme include (but not limited to):
- Rent/utility bills: support (for up to six months) 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; DBS checks; travel costs required to deliver services; refreshment costs; non-electronic equipment, materials, clothing/uniform needed for the role.
- 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 cafe 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 cafe.
The closing date for applications is 8 November 2024.
Applicants are advised to apply early as funds may be depleted before the closing date.
Application forms are only available from Asda Community Champions, who are based in local Asda superstores, and can nominate eligible groups.
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.
Groups should contact their local Asda Community Champion for further information.
