• Grant applications must be submitted via the online application portal.
  
• The grant portal will open on 1 December 2024.
  
• You will need to create an account to access the application questions.
  
• Applications must be submitted by 31 January 2025 at 11:55pm.
  
• The Grants Committee will review all applications by mid-February 2025.
• All organisations that submit an online application will be notified of the outcome of their application.
  
• Successful grant applications will be awarded funding mid-April 2025.

• The maximum grant award is £3,000.
• You may apply each year for funding for your projects or organisation. 
• Our grant fund is available to help and support people in the communities of the North East, specifically Hartlepool, Stockton-on-Tees, Darlington, County Durham, Sunderland, Gateshead, South Tyneside, North Tyneside, Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Northumberland. Note: unfortunately Middlesbrough is not included in our geographical area. 
• Applications must be made electronically using the online application portal, which must be completed in full. Incomplete applications will not be considered. 
• You can start filling in the online application form and save it as a draft and complete it later - as long as we receive the completed form before the deadline. 
• If you should encounter any problems completing the form or have specific questions, please feel free to contact us on (01429) 870247.

Grants will be awarded on the basis of how they achieve the following aims: 

• In 2025, our grants will continue to have a focus on core funding of existing and new organisations and groups and also on projects that respond to the cost of living crisis. 
• Empower local communities to help and support themselves creating and building on their strengths and assets.
• Focus on those community members who are experiencing disadvantage. 
• Help and support those not provided for by other means to meet unmet needs and/or support work which does not have a high profile. 
• Support smaller local based eligible agencies working in the heart of their communities. 
• Encourage emerging community-based groups and organisations, new ideas and initiatives. 
• Encourage independent, self-funded groups, even if they operate under a nationally recognised umbrella name.
• Support core costs or short-term projects where a direct benefit to people is demonstrated.

• Projects or activities based outside our geographical area (see above, North East of England)
• Capital works or money-raising appeals.
• Statutory Education and related travel or adventure projects.
• Holidays (unless for personal or group development).
• National organisations (unless independently constituted and funded, delivering in the North East).
• Conferences or feasibility studies.
• Medical equipment or related projects.
• General Appeals.

Click here to read our press release for our 2024 grant funding round

Click here to read our press release for our 2023 grant funding round

Click here to read our press release for our 2022 grant funding round

Click here to read our press release for our 2021 grant funding round