The Channel Islands Co-operative Society is appealing for local charities, groups, associations, and organisations to apply for the second round of funding for its new Community Fund.

Launched earlier this year, the Co-op Community Fund is dedicated to supporting community and environmental causes in the Channel Islands. It was introduced to replace the two previous funds run by the Society: Helping Hands and Eco Fund. This is the second of two annual grant pay-outs per year, the first being given to successful recipients back in June when over £25,000 was donated to local charities and causes across Jersey and Guernsey.

One of the successful applicants from the first round of funding was local charity, the Jersey Animals’ Shelter (JSPCA). They applied to the Co-op Community Fund requesting a grant to help the team purchase specialised nets to help safely collect native wildlife (such as wild birds and small mammals) into their care and were awarded £223.

Michelle Parker, PR, Media and Fundraising Manager for the JSPCA said: ‘Lockdown has provided us all with the opportunity to step back and enjoy nature on our beautiful island. The generous donation from the Community Fund will provide our team with the support they need to do their vital rehabilitation work effectively and safely, helping to protect and care for our wildlife.’

Several local charities and causes in Guernsey were also successful in receiving financial support from the Co-op Community Fund. One such project was The Accidental Zoo, a charity that uses its resources to bring alive children’s learning experiences and support adult health and wellbeing in the Bailiwick. A £507 grant was donated to the Thrive Outside event, providing more than 1,000 Bailiwick primary school children with a ‘learning outside the classroom’ experience and the opportunity to meet and learn about different types of farm animals and reptiles.

Charlotte Le Guilcher, Co-Founder and Chief Executive of The Accidental Zoo commented: ‘We are very grateful to the Society for its support with our Thrive Outside event. It was a huge success and it helped us to inspire children across Bailiwick with a fun, hands-on learning experience. The funding application was simple and we would recommend it to other local organisations looking for a financial boost for a community initiative.’

The Society welcomes applications from local charities, groups, schools, associations, and causes. Projects must be based in either Jersey or Guernsey and support social or environmental initiatives, such as helping the next generation or the elderly, health and wellbeing, sustainability, social inclusion, and accessibility.

Carl Winn, the Society’s head of community and sustainability, said: ‘We were delighted and overwhelmed by the response to the first round of funding for the Co-op Community Fund.

‘We know that due to factors such as Brexit and more recently, the coronavirus pandemic, that funding for local charities and organisations is in great need. Therefore, we would encourage charities and non-profit organisations across Jersey and Guernsey - whether big or small- to apply to receive support from our Community Fund.’

We’ve all witnessed the important role our charities and supported projects provide to the local community and the real difference they make. This fund exists to support those people and causes so they can continue to do just that; make a real difference.’

The fund will remain open for applications year-round. Applications submitted by 30 September 2021 will be reviewed for the second funding pay-out in the following few weeks. Successful projects will be contacted and grants will be awarded shortly after. This process will then be repeated in spring 2022.

More details on the Society’s new community fund can be found at: www.channelislands.coop/communityfund