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The Giving Network

Give and network with your peers from as little as £30 a month

Together we can change lives

The Giving Network at the Community Foundation is here to help you make a difference on your doorstep. It’s for like-minded professionals to come together, pool their giving, learn about vital issues in communities and choose causes to support. From housing homeless people, to welcoming refugees; from clubs for isolated older people to community arts festivals – we connect you with the vital groups on the ground which have a low profile but a big impact.

Feel inspired by the causes you support

You can join the Giving Network for as little as £30 a month. And as a special incentive, for the first three years, we are matching gifts £1-for-£1, meaning you can double your contribution.

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Frequently asked questions

How does it work?

Members of The Giving Network donate a minimum of £30 per month into a fund at the Community Foundation. We then double your donation £1-for-£1 for the first three years (up to a maximum of £1,000 per year).

What can you support?

The Community Foundation’s Vital Signs research has shown that priority issues for our area in the immediate future are Diversity & Inclusion, Mental Health & Well-being and Poverty.

Giving Network members vote on their top 4 charities each year from a long-list of 9 that are trusted organisations doing brilliant work within the Vital Signs priority issues. Members can then choose how to allocate their share of the funding pot amongst the final four charities, and over previous years the following have been supported:

2019 – Apna Ghar (South Shields); Cedarwood Trust (North Tyneside); Gateshead Older People’s Assembly (Gateshead borough); Washington MIND (Washington & Sunderland)

2020 – Gateway into the Community (West Northumberland); Fightback (Sunderland); Family Gateway (North and South Tyneside); Young Women’s Outreach Project (Gateshead)

2021 – Baby Equipment Loan Service & Toy Library (North Tyneside); Better Days (Newcastle); Blyth Star Enterprises (South-East Northumberland); Rainbow Home (North East)

2022 -Box Youth Project (Sunderland); Curious Monkey (regionwide); Hextol Foundation (West Northumberland & Newcastle); West End Women & Girls Centre (West Newcastle)

2023 – Action Station South Tyneside; Barnabus Safe & Sound (Northumberland); BRIC (Northumberland); Pennywell Neighbourhood Project (Sunderland)

2024 – Friends Action North East, Northumberland Domestic Abuse Service, Oswin Project and Recyke y’bike

What is the Giving Event

Each year the giving event takes place in May or June and is where our Giving Network members can meet the final four charities and learn more about their work through a presentation and the chance to chat to them directly. The donations that members have made into the fund during the year is available for them to allocate as they choose to one, or more, of the four charities at the giving event.

Are there any fees?

All funds at the Community Foundation make a contribution to cover our running costs. The Giving Network fund will contribute 10% based on the monthly donations only (so not Gift Aid and not the match) which means each £30 donation will contribute £3. See the examples below to show how this will work.

Giving by Direct Debit

Your donation* £30.00 per month
Gift Aid £7.50 per month
Cost contribution @ 10% of £30 £3.00 per month
£ for £ match on your donation £30.00 per month
Total per month into the Fund £64.50 per month
Your overall donations into Fund over the year £774.00 per year

 

*Higher rate tax payers may claim back an additional 20% of your donation plus gift aid (£37.50) through your tax return making your actual donation £22.50 per month.

 

Giving via your company’s Give as You Earn scheme

Your Give As You Earn pledge** £37.50 per month
Cost contribution based on 10% of £30 £3.00 per month
£ for £ match on the minimum donation £30 per month
Total per month into the Fund £64.50
Your overall donations into the Fund over the year £774.00 per year

 

**20% tax payers will only pay £30 per month, based on a Give As You Earn gift of £37.50

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I want to join by direct debit

To donate by direct debit simply complete the direct debit mandate and return it to us Giving by direct debit is fast, easy and efficient. Simply down

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I want to join by payroll giving also known as Give As You Earn

If your employer offers payroll giving you can make donations to us through that and you receive the tax benefit straight away.

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Other ways to get involved

We have a range of initiatives to help you share your knowledge and expertise with us and other local charitable organisations.

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Other ways to give

If you want to grow your giving and philanthropy further, we have a number of to the next stage of giving. You can get involved in local charities.

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Our Impact

Stories abut our work making a difference to lives in Tyne & Wear and Northumberland and across North East England

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Our People

The Community Foundation’s trustees and staff team bring unrivalled knowledge of community issues, experience of working with donors from all walks of life.

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Interested in what we do here at Community Foundation? Take a look at our open positions and join our incredible team.

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