Foodbank Fundamentals Fund

1. Read the full criteria to ensure your group/project is eligible to apply for this grant. You can use the online Eligibility Check to help with this. A PDF version of our criteria can be found here.

2. Once the application window opens on Tuesday 15th July (10am), you will be able to submit at an application. To start your application, complete the Eligibility Check and if your group meets criteria, an ‘apply now’ button will appear.

3. By clicking the ‘apply now’ button, you will access our Grant Management System, hosted by SmartSimple. You will be prompted to register your organisation (if you haven’t already registered).

4. Once registered, you will receive an email to reset your password and log in. You will then be required to complete your Organisation Profile by uploading all relevant documentation (see Essential Criteria). Once uploaded, you will be able to apply for an Asda Foundation Foodbank Fundamentals grant in the Funding Opportunities section.

5. Once your group’s application is fully complete, and all required documents are provided, Asda Foundation will review your application. Applications which don’t meet all criteria points or are missing required documents will be unsuccessful.

6. Completed applications that meet criteria will be assessed and any update will be communicated within 12 weeks of applying.

This grant is directed at groups whose core focus is providing food aid to their service users; for example: foodbanks, community pantries, social supermarkets, soup kitchens, breakfast clubs. Any group that doesn’t have food distribution as its core purposes is ineligible to apply for this grant.

We do not accept applications from:

• Groups who have already received Asda Foundation funding in 2025
• Organisations based outside the UK or benefitting people/communities outside of the UK
• Third party grant making organisations (grantees must directly deliver the service/activity)
• Public / Government bodies (incl. schools and academy trusts, although PTAs who are already delivering essential food services can apply)
• Groups who have a clear affiliation with a particular political party
• Animal charities or groups which have animal welfare as their main focus
• Projects which could negatively impact the reputation of Asda Foundation
• Groups who don’t currently offer a food provision as part of their primary service

If your organisation has more than one branch or sub-group in the same community, Asda Foundation can only support one of these groups with a Foodbank Fundamentals grant.

All criteria below must be met in order to be eligible to apply and to be considered for this grant.

Groups must have:

A total annual income of £250,000 or below

• What we need:
  • If we can’t verify your group’s annual income is £250,000 or below, we will request this information.
  • If your group is a branch or project of a parent organisation with an income over £250,000, you must show a separate bank account in the name of the applying group, independent annual accounts, and your own constitution to be eligible.
• Why we need it:
  • Asda Foundation prioritises supporting grassroots organisations, and the income limit ensures our funding has the greatest local impact.

Governing Documents

• What we need:
  • A finalised copy of your organisation’s Constitution (or Articles of Association/Memorandum, if applicable), outlining your group’s name, charitable aims, non-profit status, and asset distribution upon dissolution.
• Why we need it:
  • To ensure groups receiving our funding have proper governance in place. For guidance, refer to the NCVO’s governing document guide.

A Safeguarding Policy

• What we need:
  • An up-to-date Safeguarding policy specific to your service users. See our safeguarding guidelines here.
• Why we need it:
  • To ensure the protection of service users and understand your processes for handling concerns.

A bank account in your group’s name that accepts cheques

• What we need:
  • Proof of your group’s bank account payee name (e.g. bank statement, paying-in slip, or bank letter). Ensure your bank accepts cheques before applying.
• Why we need it:
  • We can only pay by cheque, made payable to your group (not individuals or personal accounts).

Funding can only be used for the following, (or a combination of):

• Essential Food (inc. baby food/formula
• Basic hygiene items (inc. toiletries, nappies and baby wipes)
• White Goods (e.g. fridge, freezer)
• Storage and essential fixtures/fittings (i.e. containers, shelving)
• Fuel costs for delivering food provisions to isolated members of the community

If your funding needs are NOT covered by the above, please consider our other grant programmes as and when they are available.

We are unable to fund the following through this grant:

• Groups who don’t currently offer a foodbank or  food provision for those in need as part of their core service
• Food and refreshments for one-off events, or regular social activities where food provision is not the primary objective
• Promotional/advertising/ fundraising costs
• Grants which will benefit only one person
• Membership fees (e.g. FareShare subscriptions) and running costs

*Please note this is not an exhaustive list. All applications will be judged on merit and the impact and value they add to your local community.

Read Guidance

It’s important that your project or activity meets the aims and criteria of the Fund, therefore we recommend that you read this guidance document in full before applying, to make sure your project and group are eligible.

Gather your supporting documents

Before completing and submitting your application, you will need to upload copies of your group’s governing document, your safeguarding policy, and proof of your group’s payee name – we recommend that you gather these documents prior to starting your application.

Register

Complete the Eligibility Check on our website – we want to make sure that your group is eligible to apply. Upon completion, you will be directed to our grant management system, hosted by SmartSimple, where you will be able to log in or register if you are new to the system. New users will receive an email to verify their email address and set up a password.

Complete Application

You will find the grant application* form in the ‘Funding Opportunities’ section of your homepage portal.

*All applications, documents and communication must be in English.

Await Outcome

Once you submit your application, you’ll receive an email confirming receipt. Throughout the review, we may send status updates or request more information, so please keep your contact details current. You can also track progress in your SmartSimple account.

Successful applications:

If successful, you’ll be notified by email within 12 weeks, with your local Asda Community and Customer Champion copied in. They’ll be excited to visit and celebrate with you. A cheque will be mailed to the address you provide.

Unsuccessful applications:

Due to the volume of applications, sometimes we must make difficult decisions. The decision of Asda Foundation is final and at our discretion. If unsuccessful, you’ll be notified by email within 12 weeks. You cannot reapply but can apply for future funding if any concerns are addressed and new criteria are met.

Complete Follow-Up Activity

Following a successful funding award, we want to know how our funding was used and the impact it’s made in your local community. You will receive an email link to a post-award impact report for you to complete within our grant management system. We may also ask to see receipts, so please keep these safe!

Incomplete and overdue report submissions may affect future funding opportunities.

After you have read the grant criteria in full, you can check if your group are eligible to apply by completing our Eligibility Checker here.

As a reminder, a PDF version of this criteria can be found here.

If your group is eligible, an ‘Apply Now’ button will appear. Once the application window opens at 10am on Tuesday 15th July, you will be able to access our grant management system by clicking ‘Apply Now’, then registering your details and submitting an application.