Arnold Clark Cost-of-Living Support Fund Opens for Applications

Smaller charities, voluntary organisations and community groups can apply for grants of up to £2,500 through Arnold Clark’s Cost-of-Living Support Fund.

The fund supports organisations helping people and communities most affected by the rising cost of living. Eligible projects may include support linked to food poverty, accommodation, poverty relief and other practical help for people facing financial hardship.

What Can Be Funded?

The summer 2026 round is focused on support in the following areas:

• Accommodation aid
  Support for shelters, women’s aid services, homelessness assistance, food or housing support, and help with appliances or household bills on a case-by-case basis.
  
  
• Food and utility support
  Support for food banks, hygiene banks, baby banks, refugee and asylum seeker support, food vouchers, pet food, utility packages and laundry services.
  
  
• Poverty relief and equal opportunities
  Support for disability groups, youth groups in lower income areas, social activities, work experience, amateur sports clubs and community-based trips, considered on a case-by-case basis.

Who Can Apply?

Applications are welcomed from smaller voluntary and community organisations, including charities and community groups, whose work directly supports people affected by the cost-of-living crisis.

Organisations must be UK-based and located within 50 miles of an Arnold Clark branch.

Important Application Rules

From this year, organisations can submit one application per campaign per calendar year across Arnold Clark’s funding programmes, including Cost-of-Living Support, Community Support and Gear Up For Sport.

If an organisation is successful in one campaign, it will not be eligible to receive funding from another Arnold Clark campaign in the same calendar year. Multiple applications to the same campaign in one year will be disqualified.

Deadline

There is no fixed deadline, but applications may close early if demand is high. Organisations are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Find Out More and Apply: Visit the official Arnold Clark Community Fund website: Arnold Clark Cost-of-Living Support Fund