Unique lending: to co-ops, from co-ops.
Are you:
We welcome applications from new and existing co-ops based in the UK.
Who We’ve Helped
Co-op Loan Fund has worked with and supported co-ops from a variety of sectors across the UK including digital & platform co-ops, Eco co-ops, hospitality co-ops, housing co-ops, worker owned co-ops, creative co-ops, community owned co-ops, fair trade co-ops and many more. You can read some of our inspiring loan stories below:
(sort by category)
- Care and Wellbeing
- Co-op Housing
- Co-op Loan Fund
- Community Ownership
- creative
- Employee Ownership
- Environment
- Fair Trade
- Fair work
- Featured
- Finance
- Food and Farming
- Hospitality
- Our Funders
- Platform Co-ops & Equal Tech
- Sport and leisure
- Training
- Uncategorised
- Worker Co-ops
Meet our funders #3 – The Co-operative Group
The Co-operative Group helped to establish Co-op Loan Fund in 2002 and has been actively involved ever since. Trading as the Co-op, The Co-operative Group are one of the world’s largest consumer co-operatives, owned by millions of members. They are the UK’s fifth biggest food retailer with more than 2,500 local, convenience and medium-sized stores. […]
Students and investor-supporters come together to secure sustainable and affordable student housing in Birmingham
A multi-stakeholder co-operative has secured a financial package enabling the purchase of a property that will provide affordable tenancies and access to democratically owned accommodation for students in the Birmingham area. Founded in March 2018, Student Co-operative Homes (SCH) aims to bring together existing and start up student housing co-operatives across the UK and build […]
Economic development co-op using democratic ownership to tackle inequality and the climate emergency secures funds for growth
A worker co-operative has secured a loan from Co-op Loan Fund as they continue their multi-layered approach to strategic economic development powered by democratic ownership. Stir to Action was founded as an online publisher in 2012 platforming new ideas and debate around economic alternatives. Over the past decade it has developed into a national infrastructure […]
Meet our funders #2 – Your Co-op (The Midcounties Co-operative)
Your Co-op is a family of businesses operated by The Midcounties Co-operatve and has been involved in Co-op Loan Fund ever since the fund was set up in 2002. The name Midcounties Co-operative was first used in 2005 following the merger of Oxford, Swindon & Gloucester Co-op with West Midlands Co-op. Both societies had been […]
Community sports and social club secures investment for refinance and growth
Members have received a huge boost by securing a financial package that enables ambitious and enterprising plans to renovate, develop and grow their sports and social club for the benefit of the local community. Based in the heart of the picturesque Victorian spa town of Leamington Spa, Oak House Sports and Social Club has a […]
Thriving community owned pub boosted by clean energy investment
A successful community owned and managed pub is now proudly powered by renewable energy as residents attract funding for solar panel installation. Located in Belthorn in Lancashire and just over three miles away from the centre of Blackburn, The Dog Inn has been a successfully run community owned pub since 2015. After opposing plans by […]
Meet our funders #1 – Chelmsford Star Co-operative Society
Chelmsford Star Co-operative Society has been actively involved in Co-op Loan Fund since 2010 and is a member-owned, entirely independent, co-op society operating across mid-Essex since 1867. They currently have 40 food stores, 2 department stores, 2 travel agents and 9 funeral homes; with their co-operative values and principles, environmental credentials and community work at […]
An altogether different route to ethical, accessible loan finance
We are incredibly proud to be a co-op and during #CoopFortnight we’ll be joining Co-operatives UK in celebrating UK #coops and showing how together we can offer an altogether different way of doing business. By supporting co-ops, people are supporting their local community, collective action and shared ownership in the face of adversity and tough […]
Finance secured as “Painters Pub” continues develop and grow as a vital community asset
An historic village inn frequented by two of the most famous English landscape painters and now owned by its residents receives long-term finance boost. With an inn on its site going back all the way to 1305, The Lamarsh Lion Community Pub commands a superb view over the River Stour much loved and sketched by […]
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.
Eligibility
Loans are only available to economically viable co-operatives registered in the UK.
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
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).
Contact
Co-op Loan Fund is managed by Co-operative & Community Finance.
Head Office:
1-3 Gloucester Road
Bristol
BS7 8AA
Email: info@coopfinance.coop
Tel: 0800 464 7262