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. The Co-op are also the UK’s number 1 funeral services provider, a major general insurer and a growing legal services business employing nearly 70,000 people.
The Co-operative Group are active campaigners within the co-operative sector and beyond, with campaigns that include: tackling crime against their colleagues and the communities in which they live, loneliness, modern slavery, reducing inequalities by supporting individuals to gain skills, and improving mental wellbeing.
The Co-op Foundation is a charity run by the Co-op who work closely with communities and in particular young people by unlocking community power and focusing on those who have most at stake. In 2022 The Co-op Foundation awarded £3.4m to 69 partners helping communities to become safer, healthier, more equitable and sustainable.
The Co-operative Group are also partners involved in the construction and development of a brand new music and live events arena in Manchester. Co-op Live will be the UK’s largest maximum capacity arena when it opens in April 2024, hosting a long list of artists and comedians including Peter Kay. Olivia Rodrigo, Liam Gallagher, Arijit Singh, Take That, The Black Keys and Pearl Jam. The arena is committed to environmental sustainability, working with the local community, creating jobs, giving £1m back to good causes across the UK through the Co-op Foundation, as well as a mission to change the way business is done within the music, sports and live entertainment industry.
We are incredibly proud to have The Co-operative Group as a funder, fellow co-operator, and supporter that exists to meet their members’ needs and stand up for the things they believe in.
Making a donation
Co-op Loan Fund welcomes donations from any co-operative that wants to support the work of the fund. Co-operatives that make donations 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 a donation please contact us today.
