Our Community Policy

Our community support is for the benefit of the communities where we trade in Cambridgeshire, Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk and Hertfordshire. 

As a member owned business it is really important to us to make sure that our available support is used in the way our members feel it should be which is why we only support activities which will benefit our local communities. This could be a local cause supporting the wider community or a national cause supporting a local region. 

In order to manage our requests in a fair and equitable manner, we have established an eligibility criterion with which all applicants must comply:

• Anyone aged 18 years or over
• Ideally you will be a member of the East of England Co-op. If you aren't a member, please find details of how to join here
• Requests must be for charitable or not-for-profit (or equivalent) projects which benefits communities within our trading areas. Click here for store locator
• Please ensure that you use the proper channels to make your request. Please see the details on our website and relevant requirements/additional information dependent on your application
• To give us time to process your request please give us at least 28 day's notice
• Please do not ask for our support if it is for any fundraising activity that is not compliant with fundraising regulations and relevant legislation. 

• If it is to hold any cake or bake sales in our branches or, open food events or food giveaways (these are not allowed at all, as we are unable to manage the allergen risk)
• If it is to sell goods in our branches other than your charities merchandise 
• If it is to support the running of raffles in our branches. (There are complex fundraising regulations about this and you may need a licence)
• If what your organisation is delivering does not benefit people from all faiths and political associations and is purely intended to further religious or political beliefs 
• If it is an application for large volumes of food, drink or other products
• If it is an application for funding to be used outside the UK, e.g., volunteering trips abroad
• Individual's challenges or requests, including medical funding, research, treks or similar, requesting scholarships, entry fees into charity races or sponsorships
• Individuals for study, research or travel grants
• Individuals for personal situations e.g., terminally ill or treatments
• Costs already incurred in activities which will take place before the East of England Co-op has made a decision on an application e.g., retrospective funding or automatically invoicing for subscriptions
• National or international charities or not-for-profit projects (with some specific business exceptions)
• Requests for product discounts, left over stock or close to sell by date.

Whilst we will do all that we can to support our local communities there are no guarantees that we will be able to fulfil your request. The decisions made are at the East of England Co-op's discretion and can be withdrawn at any time if it is felt they are not being honoured in the manner or spirit in which they were intended for or projects which we deem could harm the reputation of the East of England Co-op or our funding schemes, and the company's decision will be final. 

Reviewed: January 2025