The North East Roots Fund

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Bringing opportunity home

The North East Roots Fund has been launched to strengthen communities with the support of those who share a special passion for the region. We want to unite people and businesses behind a vision for a vibrant, competitive North East full of opportunity.

The initiative is for people with links to the area who would like to give back. You may have been born or educated, or have lived or worked, in the North East. Anyone who cares about the region and its people is welcome to get involved.

Through the North East Roots Fund, we aim to:

Inspire people with a passion for the North East to give back
Celebrate the global impact and success stories of people from the North East
Address regional inequalities, build aspiration and create opportunity
Promote, and rally behind, a vision of a thriving, beautiful and competitive North East
Grow an active network motivated to unleash the region’s potential

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Our goal is to raise at least £1m for a permanent fund that will support local charities and community organisations which help create opportunities, reduce inequalities and sustain the region, covering the following themes.

Pathways to opportunity: we want to get ahead of the long-term regional trends of low-incomes and vulnerability to cost-of-living rises, helping strengthen the foundations for a competitive economy. So, we will support young people to find their passions and take up opportunities through funding education, skills, workforce and enterprise activities.
Essentials for thriving communities: we know that children and families in many North East communities struggle to get ahead without support for life’s essentials. So, the Fund will back community organisations focused on health, wellbeing and inclusion, as well as the provision of vibrant community spaces that bring people together.
Inspiring places and spaces: – the region has an incredible heritage, environment and culture. The North East Roots Fund will help ensure they are protected and nurtured so their benefits continue for generations to come.

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How to get involved

1. Give

Donations of all levels to the Fund are gratefully received. Anyone who pledges to give or raise at least £1,000 in the first year of the fund will be recognised as a member of our North East Roots Founder’s Club. Every donation will be split 50/50 between endowment (invested to produce funds for grants in perpetuity) and funding for immediate grants, meaning we can build lasting impact while also addressing community needs right away. With the support of generous Community Foundation donors we can match donations received before the end of 2024, making your gift go even further.

2. Join

The North East Roots Fund is a network like no others. Sign up for updates on the Fund and our future events, and stay in touch with others who share your passion for giving back to the North East. Contact John Hollingsworth, Chief Philanthropy Officer using the contact form at the bottom of the page, and follow the Community Foundation on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for updates.

3. Share

Help us expand the North East Roots network.

Make connections: we welcome introductions to people and businesses with a connection to the North East. Please send your suggestions to John Hollingsworth using the contact form at the bottom of the page.
Host an event: do you have a space where North East expats could meet? We’d love to work with you on hosting an event in support of the North East Roots Fund.

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Why Steve Wooler supports the North East Roots Fund

Why Hugo and Kate Fenwick support the North East Roots Fund

FAQs

Is there a minimum or maximum donation?

We welcome gifts of any amount. If you are considering a significant donation, please contact us to make sure we offer the right option for your wishes and circumstances. One off or regular gifts can also be made via our donate page.

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How will my gift be used?

100% of your donation will bring opportunity home by supporting charities and community organisations across North East England meeting the Fund goals. We’ll split your gift and any Gift Aid we can claim 50/50 between support for grant-making now, and investment to make grants in perpetuity.

Do I get a say in where support from the North East Roots Fund goes?

We’ll be developing opportunities for donors to find out more about issues in the region. As the Fund grows, we’ll look to involve donors in helping decide priorities and themes. Stories and reports from the impact of the Fund will be shared regularly on the Fund webpage, through social media and in email updates.

Can I give anonymously?

Yes. You can choose to be as public or private about your donations as you wish. We always keep our dealings with donors confidential.

Can I leave a gift to the North East Roots Fund in my Will?

Yes. We can work with you or your professional advisor to ensure your wishes are honoured.

You’re the Tyne & Wear and Northumberland Community Foundation. What about the rest of the region?

Although Tyne & Wear and Northumberland is our main patch, donors often come to us to support causes across the wider North East of England – and sometimes further afield. The North East Roots Fund will support causes across the whole region. But if your interest mainly lies in helping County Durham or the Tees Valley, we can introduce you to colleagues at County Durham Community Foundation which covers those areas.

Are there options to give in other ways?

If the approach we’ve set out for the North East Roots Fund doesn’t seem right for your wishes or means, but you still want to give back to the region, please speak to us as we have a broad range of giving options for donors.

Is there a fee?

All funds contribute towards our charitable activities. This means we don’t have to fundraise for our own costs in competition with the charities we’re here to help. For the North East Roots Fund, we retain a contribution of up to 5% to support immediate grant-making. This comes from Gift Aid where the donation is eligible. For illustration, if an eligible donor gives £1000, we can add £250 in Gift Aid. We split this, with £625 being invested and £625 kept as revenue. This is made up of £575 available for immediate grants, after our support cost contribution of £50.

There are unavoidable extra fees attached to gifts made through the Enthuse platform. If you would prefer to avoid these by giving by bank transfer, please contact us.

What is the match on gifts?

Thanks to two of our most significant supporters – the late Guy Readman’s legacy, and the Shears Foundation – we have been able to match the first £100,000 of gifts made to the North East Roots Fund. Now with a further major and generous pledge from Anne Reece and her family, we can match another £150,000 of gifts before the end of 2024 to get the fund past the £0.5m mark.