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 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 Powys countryside. Established in 1985, Undergrowth Housing Co-operative Limited (UHC) was set up by local residents wanting to turn an unused property into shared co-operative housing focused on sustainable rural […]
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. We are 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-ops. Our funders have lent […]
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 noticeable surge in younger people getting involved in the co-operative movement, particularly around the sectors of worker co-ops, community-owned co-ops, eco co-ops, housing co-ops and tech co-ops. Whether it be […]
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 employment for young people in the East Lothian area. The Ridge Foundations CIC is a construction company and social enterprise in Dunbar formed in 2016 as part of the Ridge […]
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 local people in Colchester came together to set up a shop selling quality food at affordable prices. East of England Co-op still continue to follow in the co-operative tradition of […]
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 […]
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).
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
Join our mailing list
[wysija_form id=”1″]