Tesco Charity Trust Community Awards

Charitable groups working locally across the UK to support elderly people and adults and children with disabilities have until the end of March to submit their application for funding to the Tesco Charity Community Awards.

Since 1987, the Tesco Charity Trust offers its Community Awards scheme four times a year to registered charities and not-for-profit organisations working on local projects that benefit communities close to Tesco stores in the UK.

The scheme has two strands, one which supports elderly people and adults and children with disabilities and a second which supports children and their education and welfare. There are two funding rounds per strand per year. Last year, the Trust distributed nearly £700,000 to local community charities through the scheme.

Groups can apply for one-off awards of between £500 and £4,000, which will support practical things including equipment and resources. Projects previously supported include luncheon clubs, specialist equipment for disabled people, day trips and social trips for elderly or disabled people.

Decisions are normally made about three months after the closing date by the regional Community Co-ordinators who are based in Tesco stores across the UK.

The application deadline for Elderly People, Adults and Children with Disabilities is 31 March. Groups that miss the Spring round have another opportunity in Autumn 2013 when applications can be made between 1 August and 30 September 2013.

There is one more funding round in 2013 for grants to support children's welfare and children's education projects. Applications can be made between 1 May and 30 June 2013.

Applications should be made via Tesco’s online application form. Full details can be found on the Tesco Charity Trust website.