Unique lending:
to co-ops, from co-ops.
Providing 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.
Our offer to Co-operatives
Are you:
Setting up a new co-op?
Expanding the size and scope of an existing co-op?
Moving premises?
In need of working capital?
Buying new equipment?
Involved in an employee buyout or company succession?
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 worker owned co-ops, community owned co-ops, digital & platform co-ops, Eco co-ops, housing co-ops, hospitality co-ops, creative 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
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Sectors we support
Since 2002 Co-op Loan Fund has supported and provided ethical, accessible loan finance to a wide variety of co-ops and sectors across the UK. Here are just some examples of the sectors we support and why they are so important in delivering co-operative values and principles not just locally within their communities, but nationally and internationally. We are incredibly proud to support them.
Worker-owned co-ops can bring sustainability, equality and equity to members providing fair work at a time when it is greatly needed. We provide an altogether different route to ethical loan finance for worker co-ops across the UK.
Find out more
Co-op Loan Fund exists to empower co-ops and the communities they serve by providing the accessible loan finance needed to breathe life into vital community assets, local economies and forgotten high streets.
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. Together as co-ops we can offer an altogether different way of doing business.
Find out more
Eco co-ops have long been at forefront of putting environmental principles and values into action to tackle climate breakdown. We have worked with many dedicated Eco co-operatives who put the environment, climate change and their own ecological impact at the heart of everything they do.
Find out more
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. We are proud to support them in building and trading in a fairer and better world.
Find out more
As a finance co-op ourselves we are proud to support the finance co-ops sector creating an altogether different way of doing business and providing accessible routes to ethical financial services.
Find out more
We provide crucial guidance and supportive loan finance to hospitality co-ops. We aim to create new opportunities for local involvement in community business enabling an altogether different way of doing business for patrons and punters that supports communities and boosts local economies.
Find out more
Housing co-ops offer an excellent opportunity to meet the affordable housing need in the UK. However, the sector is massively under resourced. Supporting housing co-ops and proving the model works is vitality important to Co-op Loan Fund and your right to fair and affordable housing
Find out more
We recognise tech and platform co-ops as a sector that requires significant focus and investment. They are uniquely placed to provide digital and technology enabled solutions which can address the challenges of the modern world while promoting co-operative values and principles.
Find out more
We’re making the UK’s co-operative sector stronger by providing ethical, accessible loan finance.
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.
Our Impact
Our funders have lent £5m in over 200 loans to co-ops since 2002. We are incredibly proud to have The Co-op Group, Your Co-op, East of England Co-operative Society and Chelmsford Star Co-operative Society as funders, fellow co-operators and supporters.
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