Corporate Giving Profile: Tesco - Barclays - Aviva - Vodafone - National Grid

Below are five UK-based companies with strong, established corporate giving programmes. These companies have a consistent history of supporting charities via grants, strategic charity partnerships, employee volunteering, matched funding, and community investment, making them strong prospects for corporate fundraising.

Tesco focuses on food insecurity, community resilience, children's health, and local community projects. Tesco supports charities through grant programmes, surplus food redistribution, customer fundraising, payroll giving and employee volunteering.

One of the UK's largest corporate donors to community causes via initiatives such as Tesco Stronger Starts and partnerships with food redistribution organisations, Tesco has helped provide millions of meals while investing significant funding into local community projects.

Barclays invests heavily in employability, financial inclusion, entrepreneurship, youth development and social mobility. Funding is delivered through the Barclays Foundation and strategic partnerships. Long-standing supporter of UK charities through grant funding, employee volunteering, payroll giving and matched fundraising.

Barclays has invested hundreds of millions globally in community programmes over many years, with a strong UK focus on skills and economic opportunity. Employment, financial capability, education, youth, enterprise.

Aviva supports organisations improving financial wellbeing, climate resilience and stronger communities.

Operates the Aviva Foundation and the Aviva Communities Fund. Since 2015, Aviva has contributed over £20 million to over 9,000 community organisations through its community funding programme.

In 2025 alone it committed £44 million to community programmes and charitable organisations, alongside substantial employee volunteering. 

Vodafone UK delivers social impact via the Vodafone Foundation, focusing on digital inclusion, connectivity, domestic abuse support and tackling poverty. Strong employee engagement and technology-based support.

The Vodafone Foundation has operated since 1991. Vodafone has maintained long-term partnerships with charities including food poverty and domestic abuse organisations, while investing millions of pounds annually via grants, technology donations and volunteering. 

National Grid Community investment programme centres on environmental sustainability, STEM education, skills development and energy affordability. Supports local projects in communities where it operates. Has invested tens of millions of pounds via community grants, environmental programmes and employee volunteering. Funding priorities often align with climate resilience, young people and disadvantaged communities near National Grid infrastructure. Environment, education, STEM, fuel poverty, local community projects.

Key observations for fundraisers

Tesco is particularly interested in projects with a strong local community impact, especially those addressing food insecurity, schools, and family wellbeing.

Barclays focus typically supports programmes that improve employability, financial capability, entrepreneurship, and social mobility.

Aviva prioritises charitable initiatives that build financial resilience, support climate action, and strengthen communities through measurable long-term outcomes. 

Vodafone UK seeks opportunities where technology can increase social impact, particularly around digital inclusion and vulnerable groups. 

National Grid prefers projects with environmental benefits, STEM education, or measurable community impact in areas close to its operational footprint.

For each of the companies above, a competitive funding approach should demonstrate:

• Strong alignment with the company's CSR priorities.

• Clear, measurable social impact (using outcomes rather than activities).

• Opportunities for employee engagement (volunteering, mentoring, fundraising).

• Potential for long-term charity partnership rather than a one-off sponsorship.

• Geographic relevance where applicable, especially for community-based grant programmes.