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Home > Start Your Fund (NEW DRAFT-BUSINESSES)

Start your fund

Start a fund and make a lasting difference in our region.

Giving that works for your business

Starting a fund with Community Foundation North East gives your business a simple, strategic way to make a lasting difference in the communities you care about. We take care of the administration, governance and due diligence, so you can focus on the impact you want your giving to achieve.

We’ll work with you to shape your fund around your business priorities, values and ambitions, whether that’s supporting communities in your area, engaging employees, addressing a particular issue or building a long-term programme of charitable giving. You’ll have a dedicated philanthropy advisor, with access to our knowledge of local needs and organisations, and regular insight into the difference your investment is making.

Your fund can carry your business’ name and form a visible part of your community commitments, or you can choose to give more discreetly.

Fund types

We offer two main types of fund for businesses and other organisations: invested and annual.

  • Invested fund: Your gift is invested as capital, with the income used each year to support the causes that matter to your organisation. Over time, the fund can give more than the value of your original gift, creating a permanent asset for communities across the North East.
  • Annual fund: Your gift is held as cash and used to support causes over the year ahead. To continue giving through the fund, your organisation will need to make a new contribution each year.

Organisations can build up an invested fund over time by making regular contributions. Our philanthropy advisors can discuss your aims and explain how these contributions could work for your organisation.

You can also combine elements of both types of fund. Whichever option you choose, you can decide how involved your organisation would like to be in its giving. Explore the options below.

Fund options

Donor-advised funds

Enjoy many of the benefits of a charitable trust without the administrative burden, while taking an active and flexible approach to your giving.

We’ll use our local knowledge and expertise to find and assess charities and community organisations that reflect your interests. You recommend which organisations your fund supports and can also suggest charities for us to consider.

If you wish, you can set up a panel to review funding requests alongside us.

  • Invested funds start from £50,000.
  • Annual funds start from £30,000 a year.

Field-of-interest funds

Choose the causes or communities you want to support, and we’ll use our local knowledge to direct your giving to organisations making a meaningful difference.

Your fund can focus on a particular place or issue, such as health, older people, or arts and culture, without requiring you to be closely involved in deciding which organisations receive funding. We’ll keep you updated on the difference your fund is making.

  • Invested funds start from £25,000.
  • Annual funds start from £10,000 a year.

Unrestricted funds

Trust us to direct your giving where it is needed most, now and in the future.

An unrestricted fund gives the Community Foundation the flexibility to respond to the North East’s most pressing needs. We use our local knowledge and research to support effective organisations and develop funding and initiatives that make a meaningful difference.

We’ll keep you informed about our work and share how your generosity is helping communities across the region.

  • Invested funds start from £10,000.
  • Annual funds start from £5,000 a year.

Designated funds

Choose one or more charities to receive support from your fund each year.

We’ll make regular payments to your chosen charities after checking that they are still active and working effectively. If an organisation closes or can no longer carry out its work, we can redirect your support to another charity with similar aims.

  • Invested funds start from £25,000.
  • Annual funds start from £20,000 a year.

Agency funds

A fund for your charity, forever.

An agency fund is an invested fund set up to support one charity for the long term. We manage the fund’s assets and provide the charity with a regular income. If the charity closes or can no longer carry out its work, we’ll use the fund to support a similar charitable purpose.

  • Agency funds start from £100,000.

Contact Lisa Cappleman

Lisa engages people and businesses interested in making new or planned gifts, ensuring their wishes are met through the Foundation’s giving options.

Phone 0191 222 0945
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