Unique lending: to co-ops, from co-ops.
Setting up a new enterprise? Moving premises?
Buying new equipment? Expanding membership?
We welcome applications from new and existing co-ops based in the UK.
- Unique understanding of co-operatives
- Unsecured loans with no personal guarantees
- No set lending terms (flexible between 1-20 years)
- Loans between £10,000 and £85,000
- Interest charged on reducing balance
- Ongoing support throughout the term of the loan
Who We’ve Helped
(sort by category)
- Care and Wellbeing
- Co-op Loan Fund
- Community Ownership
- creative
- Employee Ownership
- Environment
- Fair Trade
- Fair work
- Featured
- Finance
- Food and Farming
- Hospitality
- Platform Co-ops & Equal Tech
- Sport and leisure
- Training
- Worker Co-ops
Collective take on college premises to form craft brewery
A collective of hospitality and events workers in Plymouth have taken on the premises of a previously dormant college brewery to launch Borrowed Parts Brew Co. Operating out of a former teaching and commercial brewery installed by City College Plymouth in the year 2000, the group have revived and retrofitted the facility which has been […]
Will you put co-operative principles and values into action to tackle climate change and create the next Eco Co-op?
The co-operative movement has long been at forefront of putting environmental and ecological principles and values into action to tackle climate breakdown. Co-operatives have been global leaders in building economic, social and environmental sustainability through creating models of business based on ethical values and principles. Whether it be community renewable energy, sustainable co-operative housing, minimising […]
Will you choose the world you want and create the next Fair Trade co-op?
Co-operatives have played a major role in the development of Fair Trade and building belief in the possibility of a better world. Fair Trade co-ops have been global leaders in building economic, social and environmental sustainability through creating models of business based on ethical values and principles. They can provide for the needs and aspirations […]
Could your community come together to create the next hospitality co-op?
Hospitality co-ops are showing resilience and doing the right thing by their communities through diversifying services and supporting staff, members, and customers. In throughout what has been an extremely difficult time for the commercial hospitality sector, it has been reported that co-operative and community-owned pubs, bars, cafés and restaurants have been bearing up well throughout […]
Could your business be the next creative co-op?
Creative co-ops are delivering greater equality – both economically and culturally – not just to the co-operative sector, but locally in our communities, nationally and internationally. Often made up of a consortia of the self-employed, small businesses and freelancers; creative co-ops can bring people together through mutual support, shared services, democratic governance and sustainable employment […]
Fair work founded on the principles of co-operation
At a time of increasing precarious work and recent expanse of the exploitative ‘gig economy’, worker co-operatives can provide sustainability, equality and equity to members providing fair work at a time when it is greatly needed. This year Co-op Fortnight, the annual UK celebration of co-operation, is celebrating the benefits and diversity of co-op membership […]
Sustainable, innovative and empowering; how Platform Co-ops and democratically owned tech can address the challenges and inequalities of the modern world
There is no doubt that the global pandemic has forced many to embrace the use of technology and digital resources to function and communicate effectively throughout the Covid-19 crisis. The co-operative movement however has been shouting from the roof tops about the benefits of democratically owned platform tech solutions long before the coronavirus was on […]
Putting our co-operative principles and values into action to tackle climate change
Climate change and the climate crisis is no new concept, it has been the subject of policy agenda and environmental activism for decades. Only more recently has it been treated with the urgency required as we are forced to examine and act upon the very real and catastrophic existential threat of climate breakdown. The co-operative […]
From the Globe to the Globe
A unique music co-operative is developing new ways to bring musicians and audiences together while the venue it owns remains closed. The Globe in Newcastle upon Tyne was bought by Jazz.Coop in 2014 with investment from a community share issue and loans from Co-op Loan Fund and Co-operative & Community Finance. It is thought to […]
We’re making the UK’s co-operative sector stronger by providing ethical, accessible loan finance.
Sympathetic to your co-op’s needs
We lend money exclusively to co-operatives. Our approach to lending is ethical, accessible and sympathetic to your co-op’s needs. Co-op Loan Fund is entirely funded and run by co-ops, so unlike many conventional lenders we truly understand and actively support democratically owned and controlled enterprises. We reinvest any surpluses into the fund to continue this support.
Loan applications are welcome from new and existing co-operatives based in the UK that need between £10,000 – £85,000 of loan finance to:
• Set up as a new co-operative
• Expand their size and scope
• Assist an employee buyout or company succession
• Purchase a property or business
• Purchase capital equipment or create working capital
Eligibility
Loans are only available to economically viable co-operatives registered in the UK.
Security
Co-op Loan Fund is able to make unsecured loans, but will take security if available. We do not take personal guarantees on loans.
Repayment terms
There is no set lending term, as far as is possible loans will be tailored to the business and the capacity to make repayments. The maximum term is usually 10 years.
Special features
Co-op Loan Fund is able to make loans that are flexibly tailored to meet your requirements. Lending by Co-op Loan Fund will be at or near market terms.
Co-operation among co-operatives
Co-op Loan Fund was set up to strengthen the size and scope of the co-operative sector through the provision of ethical, accessible loan finance. It is funded and run by co-operatives with the specific aim of helping other co-operatives – a practical example of the principle of co-operation among co-operatives.
We work closely with a number of organisations involved in co-operative development including Co-operative & Community Finance, Co-operatives UK and the Plunkett Foundation.
Structure, governance and management
Co-op Loan Fund is a company limited by guarantee. It is overseen by a board of directors who represent the funding societies and other co-operative organisations. Board meetings are usually held four times a year.
The day-to-day management of Co-op Loan Fund is conducted by Co-operative & Community Finance, an independent organisation that is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the conduct of investment business.
Co-operative & Community Finance has been providing loan finance for co-operatives, employee-owned businesses and social enterprises since 1973.
Funders
Co-op Loan Fund is funded by endowments from
Making an endowment
We would welcome endowments from any co-operative that want to support the work of the fund. Co-operatives that make endowments of over £50,000 may appoint a representative to the board if they wish. Co-operatives making small donations will also benefit from publicity.
If you wish to discuss making an endowment please contact Alain Demontoux (alain@coopfinance.coop or 0800 464 7262).