Funding and support

Apply as a group

We make grants to a wide range of groups from nearly 300 funds.

Generous people and organisations set up funds at the Community Foundation to make a difference to causes they care about. No two funds are the same, so our job is to match eligible applications to each fund’s interests.

It is important that you read the information very carefully before applying to make sure you are eligible and, if so, that your application reaches us through the right channel. If you have any questions about applying, you can call us on 0191 222 0945.

Before you start, please note that we do not fund:

• contributions to general appeals or circulars;
• religious activity which is not for wider public benefit;
• where the primary benefit is to enable a public body to carry out its statutory obligations;
• activities where the primary benefit is the advancement of animal welfare;
• activities which have already taken place;
• grant making, or equivalent gifts in kind, by other organisations;
• privately owned and profit-distributing companies or limited partnerships.

What sort of group do we need to be to apply?

We make grants to a wide range of voluntary and community organisations. You don’t have to be a registered charity, but the work you want us to fund must be legally charitable. We can only make grants for general running costs or unrestricted purposes to charities. If you are any other sort of organisation, funding from us must be restricted for a specific charitable purpose. 

Your group must have a governing document (a constitution, rules, articles of association etc.), a governing body of at least three unrelated individuals, and a bank account in the group’s name with at least two unrelated signatories. 

Community Interest Companies (CICs) or other social enterprises that are not charities can apply for the charitable costs of starting up the enterprise, setting up to trade existing goods in a new market or developing new goods and services to trade in line with a sound business plan. The Foundation does not normally support CICs and other non-charity social enterprises with the costs of continuing services, which should be financed by the sale of goods and services in line with the governance model they have chosen.

We don’t usually fund large national charities unless they already have strong connections in our area and the work will make a big difference to our communities.

Which area do we need to be in to apply?

If your group’s activities take place in Tyne & Wear and Northumberland you can apply at any time.

If you are in Durham, the Tees Valley or elsewhere in the UK you should apply only if we have a current call for applications covering your area. 

What size of group do we need to be to apply?

You can apply whatever your income, but we are particularly keen to help grassroots and small-to-medium-sized voluntary groups. 

Some of our funds have more specific requirements about the size and type of groups eligible. When this is the case, we have a dedicated call for applications stating the extra criteria you must meet. 

What can we get funding for?

You can apply for funding towards:

• keeping your services or activities going, expanding them or working in new areas;
• making your organisation stronger, through improving services, developing your staff and trustees or working on your longer-term plans;
• influencing relevant policy and practice that could improve the situation for the people and communities you help.

Funding can be towards running costs (including salaries and overheads), project costs, equipment or capital developments. The work can be new, continuing or a one-off initiative. Whatever you are seeking funding for must have a strong case for support. That means being able to explain what you will do with the grant, who will benefit and how you know the work will make a difference to the intended beneficiaries or cause.

How much can we apply for?

We mainly make small grants of £1,000 to £10,000. The average grant is around £6,000. We don’t accept applications for less than £750. 

Some of our funds make larger grants. When this is the case, we have a call for applications stating the amounts available. Occasionally we make larger awards where we combine contributions from different funds to address a particular issue. We do this by inviting proposals from groups working in that area. 

How quickly will we get a decision?

If we cannot consider your application, we aim to tell you as soon as we can. 

For eligible applications, we aim to give you a decision within 12 weeks of receiving all the information we need. If we think your application fits one of our funds but it will take more than 12 weeks to make a decision, we will contact you.

Can we apply again if we have before?

If you applied to us and were successful, you can apply again so long as you have sent us any outstanding reports from previous grants.

If your most recent application to us was unsuccessful, you may be able to apply again but we might suggest things that you need to change or get advice about before you do.