Unique lending:
to co-ops, from co-ops.
Our offer to Co-operatives
Are you:
Setting up a new enterprise?
Moving premises?
Buying new equipment?
Expanding membership?
We provide:
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
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 Loan Fund
- Community Co-ops
- Creative Co-ops
- Eco Co-ops
- Employee Ownership
- Fair Trade Co-ops
- Fair work
- Featured
- Finance Co-ops
- Food and Farming
- Hospitality Co-ops
- Housing Co-ops
- Our Funders
- Sport and leisure
- Tech & Platform Co-ops
- Training
- Uncategorised
- Worker Co-ops
- Young People
Funds secured for sustainable living housing co-op in rural North Wales
A housing co-op and its residents have obtained a refinance and property improvements loan package for their remote co-operative living space set in the beautiful […]
Our funders – 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. […]
Supporting the next generation of co-ops
Co-op Loan Fund are committed to supporting young people as we look towards the next generation of co-ops. In recent years there has been a […]
Opportunities to access training and employment support services for community improve as social enterprise obtains loan for new vehicle
A community-based construction company has secured a loan from Co-op Loan Fund to purchase a new van enabling services that will provide training and supported […]
Meet our funders #4 – East of England Co-op
East of England Co-operative Society has been actively involved in Co-op Loan Fund since 2008. The society can trace its roots back to 1861 when […]
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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
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 […]
We’re making the UK’s co-operative sector stronger by providing ethical, accessible loan finance.
We provide ethical, accessible loan finance for Co-operatives
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
- The Co-op Group
- Co-op Midcounties
- East of England Co-operative Society
- Chelmsford Star Co-operative Society
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