This summer, Costa Coffee is once again supporting communities across the United Kingdom through its Community Grants scheme, now in its sixth year. In 2026, the Nation’s Favourite Coffee Shop* is donating a total of £57,000 to 68 charities and community groups nationwide, helping fund grassroots initiatives that are building brighter futures for young people across the country.
Part of Costa Coffee’s wider commitment to championing and strengthening local communities, the Community Grants scheme empowers team members to nominate causes close to their hearts that are making a difference in their local areas.
This year, grants of between £500 and £1,000 have been awarded to provide a little lift to the organisations helping communities thrive every day.
One charity that has received a £1,000 donation this year is Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity, which was nominated by its local store in Market Hall, Cannock.
Tracey Taylor, store manager, said: “I nominated Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity for the outstanding care and compassion shown by their nurses, doctors and surgeons during the most difficult times for children and their families. When my daughter Jessica was treated following a brain haemorrhage, she was made to feel truly special and the team went above and beyond to save her life. They supported me on the ward and, after Jessica sadly passed in 2018, gave us the time, care and ongoing support we needed to cope with our loss. I’m so grateful for everything they did – they helped me through the hardest time in my life.”
Birmingham Children’s Hospital is a leading UK specialist paediatric centre, offering expert care to over 100,000 children and young people from across the country every year.
Laura Stanley, philanthropy and partnerships officer at Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to be the recipient of a £1,000 Costa Coffee Community Grant towards our paediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Our hospital’s PICU is the largest and busiest single-centre PICU in the UK, and the lead one for the West Midlands.
“We’re proud to make a real difference to the experience of our young patients and their families in our PICU, who are going through a stressful time. Whether that’s ensuring spaces are comfortable for families, patients have access to entertainment and toys to distract them during long stays or procedures and even improving the treatment we can offer by ensuring our staff have the most up to date equipment to hand. This generous grant will help us do all those things and more. We’re so grateful.”
Gisda was also nominated for a £1,000 Community Grant by its local Costa Coffee store on Pwllheli New Street. Gisda offers youth-led services to create opportunities, prevent crisis and build happy, healthy futures for young people – free from disadvantage and discrimination.
Store Manager, Lisa Hughes, said: “I nominated Gisda because they give young and vulnerable people a voice and show them that their opinions truly matter. Their proactive approach to mental wellbeing, alongside the tireless work they do to teach young people the skills and confidence to make decisions and take control of their own lives, makes a real and lasting difference.”
The £1,000 grant from Costa Coffee will help Gisda to develop the Pwllheli Young People’s Hub, ensuring a warm and welcoming space – shaped by the views and aspirations of young people – where they feel supported, valued, and connected.
Elin Jones, Hubs Leader from Gisda said: “We are incredibly grateful to receive this grant. A heartfelt thank you to the Costa Pwllheli branch for nominating us and for supporting the young people of our community.”
The Community Grants scheme reflects Costa Coffee’s ongoing ambition to empower the next generation, backing organisations that help young people develop confidence, skills, opportunities and a sense of belonging within their communities.
Since its launch in 2021, the Community Grants scheme has provided more than £310,000 in funding to hundreds of charities and initiatives across the UK.
Nick Orrin, managing director at Costa Coffee, said: “At Costa Coffee, we believe strong communities are built through connection and supporting one another. Through our Community Grants scheme, we’re proud to invest in local charities and community groups creating positive change and building brighter futures for young people across the country. It’s great to play a small part in helping these groups continue their incredible work nationwide.”
Beyond the Community Grants scheme, Costa Coffee continues to support communities both in the UK and globally. Since 2007, Costa Coffee’s global charity partner – the Costa Foundation – has funded more than 100 school projects in coffee-growing communities, improving access to education for over 120,000 children worldwide.
This follows the recent announcement that the Costa Foundation is investing £50,000 in the UK for the first time, working with two schools – Treloar’s School and College and Five Acre Wood School with projects for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.
For more information on Costa Coffee’s Community Programme, visit: https://www.costa.co.uk/sustainability/communities
