Asda Foundation

The Asda Foundation, an independent charity established in 1988 and funded by Asda Stores, empowers small grassroots community groups across the UK to address local needs, foster connections, reduce loneliness, improve community spaces, and build resilience during crises. Its mission emphasizes inclusivity, accessibility, and support for those overlooked by mainstream funders, guided by local insights from nearly 400 in-store Asda Community Champions and Community Tracker surveys. Governed by Asda employees and independent experts, it prioritizes high governance standards, responsiveness to emergent issues, and minimal bureaucracy for maximum social impact.

It funds thematic priorities including mental health and wellbeing for youth aged 13-21 (Young Futures Fund), food poverty relief via foodbank grants (Foodbank Fundamentals Fund), safe indoor/outdoor community spaces (Outdoor Community Spaces Fund), and essential services for disadvantaged groups, youth clubs, foodbanks, and at-risk community centres. Grants support project costs, capital improvements, core running costs, and emergency relief, with 2024 awards totaling £3.2 million across 2,603 projects averaging £1,230.

Eligible applicants are UK-based community groups with annual income under £250,000 and unrestricted reserves below £100,000 (local branches of larger orgs need independent accounts); larger entities or those without local Champion nomination are ineligible. Applications are invite-only: discuss projects with a local Asda Community Champion for nomination, then apply via online portal during programme windows (e.g., Foodbank Fund 15-29 July 2025; may close early). Decisions take 8-12 weeks; grants range £500-£25,000.

Exclusions cover retrospective costs, political/religious campaigning, and animal welfare. Distinctively, Champion curation ensures trusted local partners, favoring volunteer-led groups with tangible impact over scale.