Grant News

Funding to Help Community Businesses Recover from the Covid-19 Pandemic (UK)

Community businesses in disadvantaged and under-represented communities in England that want to issue shares to their community to support their recovery from COVID-19 can apply for financial support through the Community Shares ReBoost fund; and the Community Shares Booster Programme.

Community Shares ReBoost fund

The ReBoost fund helps all types of community businesses to prepare a community share offer, to support their recovery from COVID-19.

The funding available is:

Development grants – up to £5,000 to prepare a community share offer: financial planning, governance support, marketing costs and being awarded the Community Shares Standard Mark.

Match equity investment – typically matching pound for pound up to £25,000 invested by the Booster Programme, providing that the minimum share offer target is achieved.

 

Community Shares Booster Programme

The Booster Programme is open to new and existing community businesses in England that are soon planning to make, or have recently launched, community share offers. Co-operatives UK are particularly interested in community businesses that will breathe new life into high streets through the regeneration of historic buildings.

The funding available is:

Development grants – up to £10,000 to prepare a community share offer: financial planning, governance support, marketing costs and being awarded the Community Shares Standard Mark.

Match equity investment – typically matching pound for pound up to £100,000 invested by the Booster Programme, providing that the minimum share offer target is achieved.

The funding is delivered by Co-operatives UK and funded by Power to Change and the Architectural Heritage Fund. 

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with grant and investment decisions made within eight weeks of application.

 

Useful Links:

Community Shares Booster Fund – application guidance

Community Business ReBoost Fund – guidance for applicants

4th January 2022