Grants for Parochial Church Councils in the Newcastle Diocese to support local communities

About Bishop of Newcastle Foundation Fund

The Bishop of Newcastle Foundation Fund, established following the generous legacy from the late Bishop Alec Graham, is a generational opportunity to advance the civic role of the Church of England within the Diocese of Newcastle.

The Fund seeks to support work that improves the lives of people of all faiths and none, with a particular focus on activities that address inequality and disadvantage, advance social justice, promote community cohesion and interfaith relationships, and maintain positive links between the Church and the local communities it serves.

Who can apply

Applications must be submitted by Church of England Parochial Church Councils (PCCs), however partnerships with constituted charitable groups are actively sought and encouraged.

Deanery applications must nominate a PCC to apply on the Deanery’s behalf.

Any District Church Councils (DCCs) or other community organisations wishing to apply for funding for activity in a local church space must do it via their local PCC.

What can you apply for

Grants of between £3,000 and £25,000 are available for projects of up to 1- year duration.

In line with the Bishop’s wishes, the Fund seeks to prioritise support for activities in the following areas:

• Education
• Children and Young people
• Social Action
• Civic spaces – working with local communities to improve and enhance local facilities and activities
• Ecumenism and inter-faith relationships – working with other denominations for the benefit of the local community

Applications can be made to support new or innovative work in your parish’s community, benefice, deanery or chaplaincy, that advances the Fund’s aims.

Applications that adapt or expand existing work in new ways will also be considered, as well as projects that develop collaboration between parishes, as part of existing deanery development planning.

Please note that the fund will primarily support project costs, which can include staff delivery costs, equipment, refreshment, hire fees, marketing and transport.

What we will not fund

• Activities as outlined on the Community Foundation’s eligibility page including the advancement of religion.
• General costs and overheads that aren’t directly related to your project
• Core capital costs, such as building works or maintenance.

Timeline

This is the first round of the fund, and funding decisions will be communicated before the end of 2026.

Round 2 is provisionally scheduled to open in March 2027, and close in mid-April 2027, with decisions being made around mid-May.

Please sign up to the Community Foundation e-newsletter for more specific announcements in relation to relevant dates and future funding rounds.

How do I apply

To apply to the Fund, a PCC must first set up an account on the Community Foundation grantee portal if they have not done so already.

Applicants can also access a webinar via this link, which will cover a range of practical questions and answers relating to eligibility and the application process.

If you have any additional questions about the Fund or the restrictions around religious purposes, or would like to be put in touch with a PCC incumbent for your area, please contact Ged Robinson – email gr@communityfoundation.org.uk or call 0191 222 0945.