What is the Arnold Clark Community Fund?

The Arnold Clark Community Fund helps registered UK charities and community groups close to our branches build stronger communities across the UK. As part of our commitment to give back to the communities in which we operate, we believe that by caring for these communities today, we can help them create a better future.

Why the Arnold Clark Community Fund was launched?

In March 2021, we launched our first ever Community Fund to provide financial help to community groups and charities that had been significantly affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

Following on from this success, we established a Winter Edition of the fund, focusing on charities and community groups who help with poverty relief, food and toy banks, and housing and accommodation.

What is the Cost-of-Living Support?

With the rising cost of living, more people than ever before are facing severe challenges and financial hardship. Our Cost-of-Living Support fund is available to organisations whose work directly supports those most affected by the cost-of-living crisis, such as foodbanks, accommodation or poverty relief, and any other organisation which falls into our eligibility criteria.

Cost-of-Living Support eligibility criteria

Applications for the Arnold Clark Community Fund Cost-of-Living Support are only eligible if the organisation falls in one of the following categories: foodbank, accommodation, poverty relief and where people/communities in the UK are the primary and immediate focus of investment. Applications are also only eligible if they’re made by an organisation that are based/operates solely in the UK and are located within 50 miles of an Arnold Clark branch.

Please note: Although we want to help everyone, we are focused on ensuring funding is distributed equally (as far as possible). This means that if we have already provided funding to a significant amount of organisations in your area, this may impact upon your application.

Who can apply

Most organisations are eligible to apply, and we particularly welcome applications from smaller voluntary and community organisations who are working with those most affected and vulnerable to the increased cost of living. Please ensure you read and understand the below eligibility criteria before submitting an application.

We welcome applications from:

UK-registered charities
Local community groups
Social enterprises
Community interest companies
Groups of organisations that are community or voluntary-led.
Charitable incorporated organisations

We cannot accept applications from

Individuals
Sole traders
Organisations operating outside the UK, even if they are registered in the UK.
Organisations which generate profit for private distribution.
Schools, nurseries, colleges (unless this immediately impacts the wider community).
Organisations that do not have a business bank account in their name.

The Arnold Clark Community Fund will not fund projects relating to:

Organisations asking for funding for private gain.
Religious activity (unless this immediately impacts the wider community).
Benefiting an individual rather than the wider community.
Political activities
Grant-giving organisations.
Travel applications (can only be accepted if this is for day trips in local community).
Organisations applying to use the funding to pay for wages, loan repayments or to pay off debt.

More information available at www.arnoldclark.com/community-fund