Aims/priorities: The Arnold Clark Community Fund offers the following support at different times of the year:
- Cost of Living Support – funding to registered charities and community group that are within a 50-mile radius of an Arnold Clark branch and whose work directly supports those most affected by the cost-of-living crisis, such as foodbanks, accommodation, poverty relief and where people/communities in the UK are the primary and immediate focus of investment. This is currently open to support food banks, toy banks, homelessness and poverty relief.
- Communities Support – funding to projects embedded in the communities in which Arnold Clark operates and is available to organisations who provide services widely accessible to those within Arnold Clark local communities, addressing the needs of those living within them. This is expected to reopen in August 2026 with a focus on arts and culture and animal welfare.
- Gear Up for Sport – 150 sports kits given to support youth sports teams across the UK. Any youth team with up to 30 members aged 4 to 15 years can apply. This strand is expected to reopen in July 2026 for training equipment support.
Who can apply? Applications will be accepted from:
- UK registered charities
- Local community groups
- Social enterprises
- Community interest companies (CICs)
- Groups of organisations that are community or voluntary-led
- Charitable incorporated organisations (CIOs)
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Have people and communities in the UK as their primary focus of investment
- Be incorporated in the UK.
- Have a bank account in the organisation's name.
Registered charity applicants must provide their charity number, current bank statement and proof of address.
Applicants from unregistered charities and community groups will be required to provide a bank statement, letter of constitution and a letter from their local councillor/MSP/MP.
The Cost of Living Support particularly welcomes applications from smaller voluntary and community organisations who are working with those most affected and vulnerable to the increased cost of living.
The Communities Support particularly welcome applications from smaller voluntary and community organisations who are working within Arnold Clark local communities.
Organisations must be based/operate solely in the UK and located within 50 miles of an Arnold Clark branch.
Grant amount: Funding is at the discretion of Arnold Clark Community Fund.
The following one-off grants are available:
- Community grants up to £1,000.
- Cost of living grants up to £2,500
All payments will be made by BACS to a bank account in the organisation's name.
Application process: Cost of Living Support Grants are now open for application.
The different funding opportunities are usually available on a monthly basis. However, it is recommended to apply as early as possible when the fund opens, as applications may close early due to high demand.
The criteria, FAQs, terms and conditions are available on the Arnold Clark website.
Applications must be submitted through Blackbaud using the application form provided. Groups must create an account on Grants Connect to apply. Applications received by any other method will not be accepted.
Please note from 2026: Charities and community groups may submit one application per campaign (Cost-of-Living, Community Support and Gear Up For Sport) per calendar year. If successful in one campaign, they are ineligible to apply for any other campaign within the same calendar year. Applications to multiple campaigns are permitted, provided only one application is submitted per campaign; however, the funder will only approve a maximum of one application per organisation. Additional applications to the same campaign within the same calendar year will be disqualified.
Deadline: Applications are accepted during designated periods throughout the year
Contact information: Email: community.fund@arnoldclark.com