The Asda Foundation, set up in 1988, supports a range of good causes around the UK, including support to charities, playgroups and football teams.
Community Champions are Asda Colleagues based in Superstores who work alongside the local community to build relationships ensuring support for various projects, groups and charities in the local area.
The U18 Better Starts Grant is one of three grants within the Grassroots Grants programme, which aims to empower Community Champions and grassroots groups to apply for what’s important in local communities. Proposals must be:
- True to their community mission.
- People-centred.
- Efficiently run.
- Locally focused.
The U18 Better Starts Grant supports a wide range of activities and projects to improve the lives of under 18-year-olds in the UK.
Grants from £400 to £2,000 are supported. The request must be for one of the following fixed amounts: £400; £500; £800; £1,000; £1,200; £1,600; or £2,000.
For activities to celebrate a festive event, up to £400 is available (food is capped at £12.50 per person and decorations/entertainment up to £100).
Essential sports kit/equipment up to £400 is available.
Volunteer costs are capped at £120 per volunteer.
Not-for-profit community groups in the UK are eligible to apply. The group must have:
- A presence locally and work to benefit the local community.
- A bank account in the group name and should provide proof.
- Suitable governance to be able to manage funds from Asda Foundation e.g. financial reporting, committee meetings.
- An annual income below £1 million.
There is no minimum timescale for how long the group has been in existence.
Groups may apply for one Grassroots Grant per year.
Applications should address at least one of the following themes:
- Essentials.
- Transform/improve.
- Connect together.
- Volunteering.
A wide range of project costs are supported by the grant.
Costs associated with the following themes are covered (but not limited to):
- Essentials: funding for the basic essentials to address an immediate need and/or situation e.g. children’s foodbank items; hygiene items; blankets; clothing.
- Improve/Maintain a Service: to transform and/or improve a space/activity, and to bring children together for ongoing services e.g. table, chairs, long term fixtures and fittings; redecorating items such as paint, curtains etc; items for the group activity such as sewing machine, computers (must be for service users, not office/admin use); training, upskilling one off costs; items needed for a community clear up; board games; food and refreshments for ongoing services such as Youth Clubs; essential sports clothing; one-off workshop costs.
- Volunteering: funding to support volunteer costs enabling them to continue supporting their groups and communities e.g. DBS checks; essential training course costs; travel costs to the volunteering location and for delivering services; refreshment costs; stationary; clothing/uniform.
The closing date for applications is 8 November 2024.
Applications should be submitted at least six weeks before the activity to give enough processing time.
The local Community Champion should be contacted to discuss the proposal and check eligibility, and who may then nominate the group. An application form will be emailed to successfully nominated groups.
