Costa Coffee empowers the next generation with £54,000 in donations to 44 charities

Marking the fifth year of its Community Grants scheme

Costa Coffee is proud to once again support local communities across the United Kingdom through its Community Grants scheme, now in its fifth year. In 2025, the Nation’s Favourite Coffee Shop* has provided a little lift to 44 inspiring charities and community groups, donating a total of £54,000. This year, Costa Coffee has placed a special emphasis on empowering young people, investing in educational and career development programs to help build a brighter future for the next generation.

Created in 2021, the Community Grants scheme empowers Costa Coffee team members to nominate deserving local causes close to their hearts. The scheme helps ensure support reaches grassroots organisations that work tirelessly to uplift their local communities, often with limited resources, but with a huge impact.

To extend a helping hand across the country, Costa Coffee has donated between £1,000 and £2,000 to each of the 44 charities and groups. From youth clubs to school libraries and programmes that support children with disabilities, these grants are designed to support local initiatives that provide vital services and help young people grow.

One of the groups supported by this year’s scheme is Drop Zone Youth Projects based in Barrow-in-Furness. The community group runs an alternative education provision for those who struggle to engage in mainstream education, while also delivering open-access youth work; offering support, guidance, projects and signposting. The £2,000 donation will help fund holiday provision for all Drop Zone youth groups, including an outward-bound centre designed to build confidence and teamwork.

Mike Cumming, Chair at Drop Zone Youth Projects said: “This generous donation from Costa Coffee is gratefully received, and being recognised by a national retail business is exciting. The work we carry out changes young people’s lives and enables them to access more opportunities, so we’re honoured to be recognised.”

Another charity who recieved a £2,000 grant is Chloe's and Sophie's Special Ears Fund, which is dedicated to brightening the lives of deaf children. The group supports schools by training teachers with BSL-skills, as well as running holiday activities where children can connect with peers, explore new experiences, and thrive in a safe, inclusive environment.

The funding will cover the costs to help Chloe's and Sophie's Special Ears Fund to continue to run their monthly Deaf Hub, which provides engaging activities and workshops tailored to the needs and interests of deaf children.

Karen Jackson, CEO and Co-Founder of Chloe's and Sophie's Special Ears Fund said: “We are incredibly grateful to Costa Coffee for their generous £2,000 donation. This support means we can continue running our monthly Deaf Hub in North Wales, a safe and inclusive space where deaf children can come together, build friendships, and thrive. For many of these young people, opportunities like this simply didn’t exist before. Costa Coffee’s donation is helping us make a real difference to their confidence, wellbeing, and sense of belonging.”

Since its launch in 2021, the Community Grants scheme has provided more than £225,000 in funding to hundreds of charities and initiatives across the UK. This ongoing commitment reflects Costa Coffee’s belief in making a difference that goes beyond its doors – by supporting and empowering the communities it serves every day.

Jodi Forbes, Community Programme Lead at Costa Coffee, said: “At Costa Coffee, we truly believe in the power of community and the potential of young people. Through our Community Grants scheme, we’re proud to stand alongside the incredible charities and groups who are helping to break down barriers, open opportunities, and help the next generation to thrive.

“Every year, we’re inspired by the passion and dedication of those working to change lives, and we’re delighted to give them a little boost to continue their vital work - helping build brighter futures for people across the country.”

Beyond the Community Grants scheme, Costa Coffee is committed to making a lasting difference in the UK and globally. Since 2007, the Costa Foundation has funded over 100 school projects in coffee-growing communities, improving access to education for more than 120,000 children. In the UK, Costa Coffee recently collaborated with Five Acre Wood, the nation’s largest SEN school, to launch the FAWrient Express café—an innovative project providing pupils with tailored hospitality training, work experience, and brighter opportunities for the future.

For more information on Costa Coffee’s Community Programme, click here.