The Arnold Clark Community Fund.

Arnold Clark, the UK’s largest independently owned, family-run car retailer, created the Arnold Clark Community Fund in 2021 to support communities in which it operates.

Objectives of Fund

The Arnold Clark Community Fund offers the following support:

• 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. Paused applications on 1 August 2025
• Our 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. NOW OPEN for applications.
• Gear Up for Sport – 150 sports kits given away each month to support youth sports teams across the UK. Any youth team with up to 30 members aged 4 to 15 years can apply. Remains closed but expected to open soon.

Value Notes

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.

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.

Our 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.

Location

UK wide – within a 50-mile radius of an Arnold Clark branch

Restrictions

The following are not eligible for funding:

• Individuals
• Sole traders
• Professional sports teams
• Organisations operating outside the UK even if registered in the UK.
• Anyone applying on behalf of an organisation
• Organisations which generate profits for private distribution
• Schools, nurseries, colleges (unless this immediately impacts the wider community)
• Organisations that are asking for funding for private gain.
• Organisations that do not have a business bank account in their name.
• Religious activity (unless this immediately impacts the wider community)
• Projects that benefit an individual rather than the wider community.
• Animal welfare, though pet welfare costs will be considered.
• Political activities
• Grant-giving organisations.
• Travel applications (can only be accepted if this is for day trips in local community).
• Organisations applying to use the funding to pay for wages, loan repayments or to pay off debt.

Eligible Expenditure

The funding must be used for charitable or community purposes.

Projects applying for ‘Our Communities Support’ need to address one of the following categories:

• Pet welfare (to help cover costs for pet bills, animal shelters, therapy animals – reviewed on case by case basis.
• Arts and culture (music, books, art and theatre groups looking for money for transport, resources, venue hire, and special licences at arts and culture.
• Community enhancement (enhancing community, defib installation and replacements, play parks, community gardens, community galas and events).
• Disability (sensory group resources, equipment and adaptations, this could be from groups or hospitals, trips for disability groups).
• Educational training / advancement (extra resources for a PTA, school/education fayre/gala, uniform poverty. Extra curriculum resources).
• Sustainability enhancements / projects (community clean-ups, recycling programmes, urban gardening, eco-friendly initiatives).
• Mental health support (local support groups, networks end events that focus on mental wellbeing support).
• Relief support organisations (emergency service aid, cancer or illness support groups).
• Equality and diversity (programmes that promote equal access and opportunity, address discrimination and inequality and foster community cohesion).
• Youth clubs and groups, such as Brownies, Scouts, Guides, Sea Cadets, Cubs, amateur sports teams, dance groups and gymnastics (up to £750 for community trips, clubs costs materials, venue hire, transport).

Projects must have people/communities in the UK as the primary and immediate focus of investment.

Applications are also only eligible if they are made by an organisation that is based/operates solely in the UK and is located within 50 miles of an Arnold Clark branch.

How To Apply

Applications are accepted during designated periods throughout the year. 

Applications reopened on 21 August 2025 for the Community Support Fund

Once open, it is recommended that groups apply as early as they can as applications could be paused due to high demand. 

The criteria, faqs, terms and conditions, and application forms are available on the Arnold Clark website.

Contact the Arnold Clark Community Team for further information. – The Arnold Clark Community Fund | Arnold Clark