A Tesco blue token at the checkout might feel like a small thing, but over the past 12 years, millions of those small acts of support have helped fund over 27,000 community projects across Ireland.
Today, Tesco Ireland announced that its Community Fund has surpassed €10 million in donations, supporting over 27,000 community projects in towns, villages and communities across the country since 2014. From sensory gardens for children with autism and equipment for local sports clubs, to community spaces tackling social isolation and charities supporting vulnerable people, the customer-led initiative has helped thousands of organisations make a meaningful difference, where it matters most.
The milestone reflects the thinking behind Tesco's new 'That's Every Little Helps' campaign, which shines a light on the meaningful everyday actions that make a real difference for customers and communities across Ireland. While a single blue token may feel like a small gesture, millions of customer votes over the past 12 years have combined to create lasting impact in communities nationwide. Together, they show how many small acts of support can add up to something much bigger, bringing new meaning to Tesco's long-standing promise Every Little Helps.
Through the Tesco Community Fund, each of Tesco's 194 stores donate up to €1,500 every 12 weeks to three local community groups. Customers decide where that funding goes by voting for their preferred cause using the blue tokens they receive at checkout.
New analysis of Community Fund data highlights the scale of support provided nationwide since the programme launched in 2014:
- €10 million donated to community organisations across Ireland
- Over 27,000 community projects supported, making it one of Ireland's largest customer-led community initiatives
- €3.55 million invested in education and sport, helping children and young people learn, play and thrive
- €3.06 million donated to organisations supporting health, disability, homelessness, mental health and addiction services
- €1.12 million provided to children's and youth organisations nationwide
While the figures highlight the scale of the programme, the real impact can be seen in the thousands of local stories behind them, from community groups creating new opportunities for young people to charities supporting some of the most vulnerable members of society.
Five organisations supported through the Community Fund also feature in Tesco's new national advertising campaign, helping to bring the stories behind the numbers to life. Their experiences demonstrate how small acts of community support can make a meaningful difference, perfectly capturing the spirit of Tesco's new 'That's Every Little Helps' campaign.
They include ABACAS Special School for Autism in Co. Louth, where Community Fund support helped create a sensory garden for pupils; Coolmine Swimming Club in Dublin, which purchased essential training equipment; Cork DAWG, a volunteer-run dog rescue charity; Claremorris Men's Shed in Mayo; and Ennis Taekwon-do School in Clare.
The new TV ad is also soundtracked by ‘I’m Not Going Anywhere’, a song from rising Irish artist Morgana that perfectly captures the spirit of the Community Fund, with themes of persistence, resilience and continuing to show up every day - just like the dedicated community groups across Ireland.
Naomi Kasolowsky, Customer Director at Tesco Ireland said: "When people hear €10 million, it sounds like a big number. But what really matters is the thousands of stories behind it. Every day, customers place a blue token in a voting box without thinking much about it, but what they might not realise is that those small acts of support have helped fund sensory gardens, sports equipment, youth services, community spaces and thousands of local projects across Ireland. - every blue token represents a small act of support. Together, those small acts have helped over 27,000 projects across Ireland. That's the power of lots of people doing one small thing to help. And that's what Every Little Helps has always meant to us."
To learn more about the Tesco Community Fund, visit: https://tescoireland.ie/sustainability/places/community-fund
