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 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
- Worker Co-ops
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 […]
Accountancy co-op promotes positive social change through value-driven financial services
A worker co-op accountancy firm are putting principles into practice with accounting services rooted in co-operative values and sociocratic working models. Working primarily within the co-operative and not-for-profit sector Third Sector Accountancy are a workers’ co-op based in Manchester but with staff located across the country and Germany. A co-operative of 20 members and close […]
Community benefits as Belfast co-op brewers open Northern Ireland’s first taproom
A co-operative craft brewery has expanded its retail operation by opening a new taproom creating jobs and positive impact for the local community. Since its inception in 2015, production at Belfast-based Boundary Brewing Co-operative has increased rapidly as demand for its high quality craft beers has boomed. Over the years the brewery has expanded its premises, […]
Property improvements set to go ahead for Co-operative Housing Association
Leaseholders of Glenkerry House have secured funds for a series of works required to maintain iconic ‘brutalist’ building in East London. A Grade II listed building, Glenkerry House situated in Poplar within the London Borough of Tower Hamlets was designed by celebrated modernist architect Ernő Goldfinger (the inspiration for the name of a villain in […]
Locals access finance for purchase and development of village chapel community centre
Residents of Kingsley Holt have come together to save and repurpose their local chapel as a thriving community centre providing an essential meeting space, shop and café for the area. Situated in the Staffordshire Moorlands just a few miles away from Cheadle, the village of Kingsley Holt has had to rely on its neighboring market […]
Tech co-op enriches the human potential of workers, clients and audiences
A worker co-operative specialising in civic tech and extended reality (XR) are creating next generation software to enhance human potential in a sustainable way. London based tech co-op Animorph specialise in delivering user-centric and context-specific software applications aimed at addressing people’s unmet needs, whether that’s improving the attention of brain injury survivors, or helping bring communities together towards […]
Boost for Youth Football in North Derbyshire
A Youth Football League founded to provide opportunity for young people to participate in organisation football matches in North Derbyshire has secured funds to buy land and buildings to develop facilities for members and benefit the local community. Currently based across three mini venues in Matlock, Chesterfield and Clowne, North Derbyshire Youth Football League (NDYFL) […]
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).