Channel Islands Coop (CI Coop) launches new Community Impact Fund using dormant accounts to support environmental and community initiatives across Jersey and Guernsey 

CI Coop has today announced the launch of a major new charitable initiative, the Community Impact Fund – a programme that will reinvest unclaimed member balances from dormant accounts into meaningful community, environmental, social, and heritage projects across the islands. The first recipients have been announced, receiving £62,500 between six projects.  

The Community Impact Fund was made possible following a member approved rule change at the 2021 Annual Members’ Meeting, where members voted for dormant account balances to be used for positive island impact rather than remaining untouched. This decision created a ring‑fenced fund dedicated to projects that align with CI Coop’s sustainability ambitions, cooperative values, and long‑term community purpose. 

The Community Impact Fund will complement and strengthen the existing Community Fund, ensuring a joined-up approach to community support. While the Community Fund will continue to back smaller grants and local initiatives, the Community Impact Fund will help enable larger projects, offering funding of up to a maximum of £25,000 where there is a clear and lasting community benefit. 

• A strategic investment in island communities 

• The Community Impact Fund will distribute grants through three routes: 

• Direct support for specific projects identified and approved by the fund committee. 

• Partnership grants to trusted foundations. 

An annual application programme, similar to the Coop Community Fund but designed for larger, higher‑value initiatives. 

This approach ensures CI Coop can support a diverse range of causes, from environmental conservation to heritage preservation and community accessibility, while maintaining transparency and alignment with members’ wishes. 

First projects announced 

CI Coop has confirmed the first set of community and environmental initiatives to receive support from its Community Impact Fund, which includes five projects in Jersey and two in Guernsey: 

Jersey 

Jersey Island Geopark – Educational publications and trails 
£10,000 
Supporting UNESCO‑aligned educational materials, walking guides, digital resources, and accessibility‑friendly Geotrails. 

GROW Jersey – Accessible planters project 
£10,000 
Creating wheelchair‑friendly raised‑bed growing areas to enable inclusive participation for students and adults with mobility challenges. 

Jersey Trees for Life – Tree canopy and habitat restoration 
£10,000 
Increasing tree cover, boosting biodiversity, and engaging islanders in tree planting and ecological stewardship. 

National Trust for Jersey – 90th anniversary community celebrations & ‘90 Faces’ exhibit 
£9,000 
Supporting heritage events, community engagement, and a major portrait exhibition celebrating 90 years of island conservation. 

Jersey Transport – Mobility grant for a town buggy 

£7,500 over two years 

Support for a town buggy that’s been designed to help islanders navigate areas of town that present mobility challenges. The service is designed for operation across selected areas, aiming to improve access to town for people with disabilities. 

Guernsey 

Guernsey Nature Commission – Biodiversity support for landowners 
£10,000 
Assisting landowners with biodiversity management, ecological guidance, and habitat improvement in line with the Strategy for Nature. 

National Trust of Guernsey – Land remediation on south coast cliffs 
£5,000 
Restoring scrubland to biodiverse grassland, supporting native wildflowers and protecting Guernsey’s natural heritage. 

“A fund shaped by our members, for our islands” 

Mark Cox, CEO of CI Coop, said: 

“Because our members asked us to put dormant account balances to work in our communities, we are proud to launch a fund with clear purpose and real potential. The Community Impact Fund strengthens our ability to support some of the excellent work already being delivered in the community, while helping us to fulfil our vision of making a real difference to the communities we serve. We are confident it will deliver meaningful environmental and social impact, support organisations doing outstanding work, and contribute to the long-term wellbeing and resilience of our islands.” 

Alan Le Maistre, CEO of the National Trust for Jersey said:  

"We want to thank the Coop and their members in supporting our 90th Anniversary Celebrations through the Community Impact Fund. The Coop has, incredibly, been members of the National Trust for Jersey for over 40 years and it's a relationship that we value greatly. Their longstanding commitment helps us continue to look after Jersey's natural environment, and unique heritage. Through this exciting collaboration, we look forward to celebrating the Trust’s 90th anniversary with our members and the broader public alike, through a fun-filled community-focused event at Greve de Lecq. It's going to be a great chance to get together to celebrate all that makes Jersey special!" 

Jessi Jennings, CEO at Guernsey Nature Commission, said:  

“We are so pleased to receive this funding from the Community Impact Fund, which will enable us to work with the landowners of Guernsey whose land has been designated as a Site of Special Significance (SSS) or an Area of Biodiversity Importance (ABI). These designations recognise the ecological importance of those sites in Guernsey, and so it’s essential to ensure landowners are aware of the designation of their land, as well as support them in maintaining the designation and help provide expertise in order to ensure positive biodiversity outcomes for Guernsey.” 

Simon Matthews, Chief Property and Sustainability Officer of CI Coop, said: 

“The launch of our Community Impact Fund is the culmination of a journey initiated by our members, delivered by our colleagues, and undertaken with our community. The Fund is the very essence of ‘community impact’: supporting those island-wide initiatives in each of Jersey and Guernsey that will make a difference to the communities they serve. It's also an important part of our Blueprint for a Sustainable Future sustainability strategy. It will be exciting to see ways that shopping with the CI Coop will result further support for those charitable and voluntary organisations that underpin the environmental, heritage and sustainability qualities of the islands. I thank the members, my colleagues and our charity partners for all of their efforts in launching the Community Impact Fund.” 

The Community Impact Fund is closely aligned with the Society’s Sustainability Blueprint and the cooperative values that underpin its work. With consistent annual contributions, colleague volunteering opportunities, and a framework that welcomes community applications, the Community Impact Fund represents a significant new chapter in the Coop’s long-standing commitment to island life. 

More information on future funding rounds and application processes will be shared later this year. Find out more here.

Applications for the next round of funding will open early 2027.