The CCF New Co-operative Grant, last updated on 1 April 2020, is available to newly registered co-operatives (i.e. grant application is within 24 months from the co-operative’s registration date). It is used to support the initial set-up costs and operating expenses for up to three years.

It can be used to offset expenses such as:

1. Capital expenditure - e.g. office equipment
2. Operating expenses - e.g. staff cost relating to start the co-operative
3. Other support areas - e.g. areas of expertise and support, endorsement, referral aspects of the business but will be subject to the CCF Secretariat’s approval

The funding quantum and caps are specified below:

PREREQUISITES AND CONDITIONS

1. The Co-operative must be registered with the Registry of Co-operative Societies.
2. The Co-operative is not receiving or has not received any other grants from the CCF, government agency and/or other organisation for the same expense item.
3. Key appointment holders of the Co-operative such as any member of the Committee of Management (COM), Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, or an equivalent position with necessary decision-making power or officer who is authorised to sign for the Co-operative (authorised officer) have signed on grant applications. The signing by key appointment holder or authorised officer will be taken as support or endorsement by the Co-operative’s COM.
4. For the procurement of any goods or service that is above $6,000 in value and where the invoice is dated on and after 1 April 2024, Co-operative needs to show that it has obtained a minimum of three quotations from vendors of comparable scope or provide evidence that it has conducted a tender exercise. For the procurement of any goods or services that is above $3,000 in value and where the invoice is dated before 1 April 2024, the Co-operative needs to show that it has obtained a minimum of three quotations from vendors of comparable scope.
5. In cases where a Co-operative is unable to provide supporting documents for at least three quotations, despite making reasonable efforts, or evidence of a tender exercise, the Secretariat, in consultation with RCS, may accept the submission of other relevant supporting documents under the following circumstances:
   
   • Co-operative has sought quotations from three or more vendors but received less than three bids that meet the essential requirements outlined in the quotation or tender documents.
   • The goods or services can be supplied only by a particular supplier and no reasonable alternatives or substitute goods or services exist for any of the following reasons:
     
     • the requirement is for a work of art;
     • the protection of patents, copyrights or other exclusive rights; or
     • due to an absence of competition for technical reasons.
   • The additional goods or services to be procured from the original supplier were not included in the initial procurement and a change of supplier for such additional goods or services.
     
     • cannot be made for any economic or technical reason such as requirements of interchangeability or interoperability with existing equipment, software, services or installations procured under the initial procurement; or
     • would cause significant inconvenience or substantial duplication of costs for the Co-operative.
   • For reasons of extreme urgency brought about by unforeseen and urgent events, the products or services cannot be obtained in time by means of quotation or tender procedures.
6. Grant applications submitted are for expenses incurred not more than 12 months ago.
7. The Co-operative must not have outstanding CCF contributions or late payment penalties.
8. Grant must only be used for the Co-operative’s expenses. It cannot be used for its subsidiary (if any) that is registered as a company.
9. The Co-operative must submit the invoice and proof of payment to the vendor.
10. The Co-operative must submit a quarterly progress report on key performance indicators listed in the Grant Agreement timely. If the Co-operative is late in submitting the progress report, a penalty of $500 will be levied for the first late submission and a $1,000 penalty will be levied for each subsequent late submission. Unutilised claim for the quarter will be forfeited as rolling over to the subsequent quarter is not allowed. For this purpose, the entitled claim for each quarter will be calculated based on equal distribution of maximum grant given for the year.

Please click here to find details on the changes to CCF Grant procurement conditions with effect from 1 April 2024 and the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on procurement of goods and services.

APPLICATION

To apply, please download application form and submit:

1. Following worksheet tabs in the Application Forms:

     • CCF New Co-op Grant Front Page
     • CCF New Co-op Grant - Summary
     • Any other tabs applicable

Kindly ensure every single worksheet tab submitted is signed.

2. Supporting Documents e.g. invoices, receipts, certificates etc.