Become a member
About membership
Membership is the cornerstone of our work at the Plunkett Foundation. The strength of our network of community business members, partners and supporters cannot be underestimated – without our members, we would not be able to represent the interests of rural communities and champion community ownership across the UK with the media, funders, policy makers, and other stakeholders.
Community Business membership
We’ve been the voice of rural community business since 1919, and we know that establishing and running a community business can bring a wide range of benefits for communities, but it can also bring challenges. Designed specifically for community businesses, this membership ensures your business is part of a national network, providing access to enhanced information, advice and support (whether that’s from the Plunkett Foundation’s specialist advisers or from other community businesses). It enables you to collaborate in the market place for better deals, and it helps you to reduce running costs. We also actively encourage our members to help us develop our services to make sure we’re continuing to meet the needs of the sector.
As a Community Business member you will receive:
- Resources, information and enhanced support: Book a free annual health check for your community business, and get enhanced access to support, member exclusive resources and advice from our central team and network of expert advisers. You will also benefit from a discount on Plunkett’s Model Rules service when you establish as a Community Benefit Society, or if you are an existing CBS and would like to update your Model Rules.
- Network: Share knowledge and experience with others in the community business sector, and find the right products and services with our directory of recommended suppliers and supporters who share your values and can help your business to thrive. Get help with your project from Plunkett’s partners through our Corporate Volunteering Programme.
- Events, webinars and training: Hear from the experts at a variety of events both online and across the UK, which offer advice, practical support, training and networking opportunities. You will be invited to bespoke member events and benefit from reduced ticket prices on Plunkett training hub events as well as free access to our programme of webinars.
- Influence: Access the latest research and publications before anyone else. Shape the Foundation’s views and work, gain a national platform, and help us to influence the future of the rural community business sector together, by contributing to our policy work, research, or applying to be part of the Community Business Membership Panel
- News: Receive regular key updates on funding and support as they happen, as well as the latest news from the world of community business.
Our recommended suppliers offer practical support and discounts to help ensure you’re getting the best deal for your community, including: a FREE property law advice line; discounted business insurance, accountancy services, and valuation reports; access to the best energy deals; and discounts from wholesalers and suppliers of fixtures, fittings and furniture.
Community Business Membership fee:
- £200 + VAT per year
- £20 per month direct debit
If you have any questions about membership, please call us on +44 (0)1993 630022 or email membership@plunkett.co.uk
Supporter membership
Supporter membership is for any individual or organisation that shares Plunkett’s values and wants to help us to help community businesses. Community is important to us all. Community businesses are a way of helping rural communities to thrive – they bring people together to achieve so much more than might seem possible alone. As a supporter, your membership contributes directly to the advice and practical help we have provided to rural communities for more than 100 years, as well as helping us to strengthen the rural voice in national policy. Members like you ensure that we can continue to offer support, guidance and advocacy to communities to help them to take control of their challenges and overcome them together.
As a Supporter member you will receive:
- Access to Plunkett webinars and networking opportunities – including voting rights at our Annual General Meeting – and discounts on membership events and training courses.
- Member alerts to keep you up to date on Plunkett’s news. When something important happens that will affect our work, rural communities and the community ownership sector, you’ll be the first to know
- Member specific notifications of Plunkett’s publications, consultations and reports
- Access to a Google maps list of community businesses, so you can support local businesses, wherever you are
Supporter Membership fee:
- £20 per year for individuals
- £200 + VAT per year for organisations
If you have any questions about membership, please call us on +44 (0)1993 630022 or email membership@plunkett.co.uk