Previously known as ‘Tesco Community Grants’, Tesco's Stronger Starts Grants programme is currently focused on supporting school-based projects across the UK that lack the resources to provide healthy food, snacks and equipment for indoor and outdoor activities that boost young people’s mental and physical wellbeing.
Although the current focus is on schools, other organisations may also apply for grant support (see ‘Who can apply’ above), particularly where their project is around the provision of healthy food.
This is a public voting grant scheme, whereby shoppers at Tesco can choose to nominate a charity by placing a blue token against one of three charities as they exit a Tesco Superstore. Projects in 575 areas served by Tesco plc can be voted on for a 3-month period, with the following grants subsequently awarded:
o Most votes – a grant of up to £1,500.
o 2nd and most votes – a grant of up to £1,000.
o Least votes - a grant of up to £500.
Some examples of the type of project that could be funded through the programme include (please note that this is not an exclusive list):
o After School Clubs.
o A Healthy eating projects that enable families to cook healthy meals on a budget.
o Developing an area to grow vegetables
o Food Banks.
o Organisations addressing hunger among children and young people during school holidays, and
o Purchasing equipment for outdoor or indoor activities.
Funding is not available for:
o Community Interest Companies with shares or that are less than two years old.
o Fundraising activities or challenges (for example, funding a sponsored run).
o Individuals.
o Land purchase.
o Marketing or promotional activities.
o Organisational running costs or overheads.
o Organisations that make a profit.
o Overseas appeals, expeditions or travel.
o Political or religious causes.
o Research projects.
o Seminars or conferences, or
o Work that has already taken place (i.e. no retrospective funding)
Further information, guidance and details about how to apply can be found on the Tesco Stronger Starts website.
Applications can be made online at any time via the Groundwork UK website (please note that there is a separate application process for projects in Scotland via Greenpeace Scotland).
Contact details for the fund are:
Tesco Stronger Starts Grant Team
Groundwork UK
The Walker Building
58 Oxford Street
Birmingham
B5 5NR
Tel: 0121 236 8565 (this is the switchboard number for Groundwork)
Email: tescostrongerstarts(at)groundwork.org.uk or info(at)groundwork.org.uk
