Today, we are excited to announce our Investing in Spaces and Places grant has launched.

Launched last year, Investing in Spaces and Places is our higher value Asda Foundation grant, aimed at improving spaces in the heart of local communities.

We know small grass roots organisations play a vital role in their community, making positive change and improving people’s lives every day, but the challenge for many is having the appropriate safe and inclusive space to bring people together and deliver their fantastic work.

Asda Foundation will be investing over £500,000 for this grant in 2023 to support bigger, long-lasting community projects within local communities where local people can be together and thrive.

Grants will be between £10,000-£25,000 and the application window opens on 6th February with funding announced in June 2023.

The grant criteria will focus on investing in community spaces and places and projects must fall into at least one of the following categories:

1. Building Repairs

2. Building Development

3. Outdoor Development

Read the full Group Guidance here. If you have an eligible project in mind, speak to your local Community Champion at your nearest Asda Superstore for more information.

Last year, we supported 60 community groups with the Investing in Spaces grant. Take a look at how two groups used the funding below.

Dream Time Creative used an Investing in Spaces grant to renovate their community space. The funding of £20,000 has helped the group to improve their garden area, living room and kitchen space.

When reflecting on the impact of this funding, Sarah, Director at Dream Time Creative said: “It’s absolutely brilliant – our community has a real sense of pride in the space now. Dream Time Creative has now been offered a permanent home at the chapel as a result of this project.”

“This permanent home is allowing us to really thrive, and we can now offer space to creative groups across all areas of the space”.

As a result of the funding, Dream Time Creative are now more equipped to help tackle social issues in their local area. Sarah said: “Inequality is a big issue. We can now cook and feed members of the community who are struggling. New people come all the time to volunteer, to support and to make new friends.”

Bangor Foodbank and Community Support received an Investing in Spaces and Places grant for £20,250 last year. Thanks to Asda Foundation funding, the group have been able to develop a fit-for-purpose foodbank and baby bank in their community space. The group now have a multi-purpose meeting/training room, a drop-in centre, and Baby Bank.

Ken, Centre Manager, said: “The funding has enabled us to provide a ‘wrap-around’ service that we have been working towards for the past 5 years. These new services are much needed by those we assist. We are now able to step in by providing the necessary space to other organisations, at no cost to them.”

As a result of the funding, the group have been able to strengthen their relationship with other local organisations, including Mencap, Women’s Aid, Sure Start and Home Start. Ken said that the newly developed space has enabled them to: “extend their programme of courses and workshops they offer, resulting in a more comprehensive support package for those most in need in our local community.”