Tesco Stronger Starts

Background

The Tesco Stronger Starts programme (formerly Community Grants) supports local good causes across the UK. Since it launched in 2016, the programme has supported more than 50,000 community groups with more than £100 million in grants. The scheme aims to make a positive difference to Tesco communities.

The grants programme is administered by the community charity Groundwork in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and working with Greenspace Scotland to support successful projects in Scotland.

Objectives of Fund

The focus of Tesco Stronger Starts is getting schools who lack funds and resources to apply for extra financial help they might need to provide healthy food and activities that boost young people’s mental and physical wellbeing.

Priority is given to projects working in schools and organisations nominated by Tesco staff.

Value Notes

Customers in Tesco stores throughout the UK vote on which of three local projects they wish to support.

The customer vote determines the amount of money a project receives:

• Grants of up to £1,500 for the project with the most votes.
• Grants of up to £1,000 for the second most votes.
• Grants of up to £500 for the third most votes.

Shortlisted projects change every three months.

Match Funding Restrictions

Match funding is not required as the scheme can fund 100% of the total project costs. However, for applicants that have secured additional funding, there is no limit to what this amount can be and any funding awarded by Tesco Community Grants programme can form part of their wider project costs.

Who Can Apply

Although the current focus is on schools and organisations working with schools, not-for-profit organisations in the UK can apply if they are constituted and have a governing document.

This includes:

• Voluntary and community organisations.
• Registered charities.
• Community Interest Companies limited by guarantee and running for a minimum of two years.
• Friends of groups.
• Social enterprises.
• Industrial Provident Society.
• Schools.
• Health bodies such as Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs)
• NHS Hospital Trusts and Foundation Trusts.
• Parish, Town, or Community Councils.
• Local Authorities.
• Hospices.
• Day care centres.
• Social Housing providers.

As part of the updated grant administration process, applicants are now being asked for ID verification checks if their organisation is NOT a registered charity or a registered company, OR if they are NOT a public sector organisation.

Proof of name and proof of address is now required from the main contact of the application. The second contact in the application MUST be a bank account signatory for the organisation account, or for the organisation that is being used if using an Accountable Body.

Location

England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

Restrictions

The following are not eligible for funding:

• Organisations that make a profit.
• Individuals.
• Community Interest Companies (CICs) with shares.
• Community Interest Companies (CICs) with guarantee that are less than two years old.
• Work that has already taken place.
• Political donations.
• Fundraising activities or challenges (eg costs for a sky dive etc.)
• Running costs and organisation overheads.
• Conferences or seminars.
• Activities which collect funds for redistribution to other charities or individuals.
• Overseas appeals.
• Expeditions or overseas travel.
• Promotion of a religious or political cause.
• Marketing promotions.
• Research projects.
• Purchase of land.
• Projects or activities that the state has a legal obligation to provide.
• Statutory costs for schools or local authorities.

Eligible Expenditure

There is no restriction on whether the grant is spent on capital (direct) or revenue (indirect) costs.

The funding can be used for all local good causes, though priority is currently given to helping projects that support children’s food security and health and local store nominated good causes.

Examples include:

• School Breakfast clubs
• Holiday clubs
• Play areas
• Food banks
• Counselling and support services for children
• Equipment or non-statutory services for nurseries or schools e.g. forest schools, library books
• Equipment for Brownie, Guide or Scout Groups e.g. camping equipment, badges
• Services or equipment to support children and young people’s health
• Equipment/kit for youth sports teams

This is not an exhaustive list and other project ideas also welcomed.

How To Apply

There are no deadlines. This is a rolling programme, and applications can be made at any time.

Please note: it can take up to 12 months for groups to hear whether their project has been shortlisted to go to the public vote.

The application process is as follows. Groups should:

• Read the guidance notes and frequently asked question document before starting the application process.
• Find their local store. This can be done by entering their project's postcode into the store locator on the Tesco website. This information is required for the application form.
• Complete the eligibility checker.

Eligible organisations can apply online for a grant, applications are assessed and shortlisted. Every three months successful shortlisted applications are put into a customer vote in Tesco stores across the UK.

The project that receives the most votes in its area will be awarded a grant of up to £1,500 second place receiving up to £1,000 and third place up to £500. Customers are given a blue token when they buy their shopping that they can use to make their choice using the voting units in most stores.

Contact Groundwork Tesco Programme Team for further information.

Groups in Scotland can make their application on either the Tesco Community Fund website or on the greenspace scotland website where they will also find the Community Enabler contact for their local area. A list of the contacts and the local areas are on the greenspace scotland website.