Grants in Sunderland: what is open now
As of 29 October 2026, GrantMatch lists 23 live grants for organisations in Sunderland. 7 close in the next 30 days, the first on 30 October 2026, 16 are open all year and 1 was added this week.
Last checked 28 October 2026.
Every grant on this page is for the Sunderland area, as named by the funder. Some also cover neighbouring areas. Funders with open grants here include Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland, Point North and Point North (Atom Bank). Grants open across North East England are on the North East England page.
Find the grants your organisation can win in Sunderland
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Create free accountClosing in the next 30 days (7)
Support for activities that increase participation in folk art traditions
Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland
The North East Endowment for Musical Traditions supports activities that increase participation in folk art traditions. The funder's grants support a wide range of causes across the North East. This fund is for organisations, not individuals. The locations listed for it are County Durham, Tees Valley, Gateshead, Newcastle, Northumberland, North Tyneside, South Tyneside and Sunderland. It could be a good fit if your organisation helps more people take part in folk traditions in any of these places. You can apply for up to £3,000. The fund has a set call for applications, and it closes on 16 November 2026. It is worth starting soon. One practical point: you need an account on the funder's grantee portal before you apply for the first time. Registering is a separate step, so set it up early rather than leaving it to the last day. The funder also publishes eligibility criteria and information for new applicants. Make sure you and your activity meet them before you begin. If you need help with your application, the funder has a Help and Support page. If this call does not match your plans, organisations based in Tyne and Wear or Northumberland can make a general application at any time of year. Individuals interested in music may want to look at two other funds with the same closing date. The Young Musicians Fund is for young people up to 21. The Alan Hull Bursary recognises one young songwriter each year. Official source: https://www.communityfoundation.org.uk/apply/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 28 October 2026.
Grants for young people (up to 21) to pursue musical ambition
Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland
The Young Musicians Fund offers grants to young people aged up to 21 who want to pursue a musical ambition. It is a grant for individuals, so you apply as a young person rather than through an organisation. You can receive up to £500. That makes it a good fit for a focused, practical step forward in your music rather than a large project. The fund covers a wide area of North East England: County Durham, Tees Valley, Gateshead, Newcastle, Northumberland, North Tyneside, South Tyneside and Sunderland. If you are 21 or under and based in one of these areas, this fund may suit you. The fund is open now and closes on 16 November 2026. Some of the foundation's funds only open at certain times of year through a call for applications, so it is wise not to leave your application late. One practical point: before you apply for the first time, you need an account on the grantee portal. Set this up early so it does not hold you up near the closing date. The foundation publishes eligibility information for new applicants, so you can make sure you and your activity meet its criteria. It also offers a set of FAQs that answer common questions about applying. If you would like help with your application, the foundation has a Help and Support page too. If music is your passion and a small boost would help you take it further, this fund is worth a look before the November closing date. Official source: https://www.communityfoundation.org.uk/apply/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 28 October 2026.
£1000 bursary in memory of Alan Hull (Lindisfarne) which recognises one young song writer each year
Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland
The Alan Hull Bursary is a £1,000 award in memory of Alan Hull of Lindisfarne. Each year it recognises one young songwriter. It is listed among the funds currently open for applications from a funder whose grants support a wide range of causes across the North East. This bursary is for individuals rather than organisations. It suits a young songwriter based in one of the areas the fund covers: County Durham, Tees Valley, Gateshead, Newcastle, Northumberland, North Tyneside, South Tyneside or Sunderland. If you write your own songs and would value recognition for that work, this could be a good fit. The award is worth up to £1,000. The fund is open for applications now and closes on 16 November 2026, so plan to submit your application in good time. There is one practical point to keep in mind. Only one songwriter receives the bursary each year, so it recognises a single person rather than spreading funds across many applicants. If you have not applied to the funder before, you will also need to register an account on its grantee portal before you can submit an application. Leave yourself enough time to do this ahead of the closing date. The funder publishes eligibility information for new applicants and a set of FAQs about applying for funding. If you need help with your application, it also offers a Help and Support page. Official source: https://www.communityfoundation.org.uk/apply/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 28 October 2026.
Supporting small grassroots organisations addressing domestic violence, poverty, racism, disadvantage and mental health / suicide prevention
Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland
The Jackie Haq Fund is run by Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland. It supports small grassroots organisations that are tackling domestic violence, poverty, racism, disadvantage, and mental health and suicide prevention. You can ask for up to £1,500. The fund is for organisations, not individuals. It covers Gateshead, Newcastle, Northumberland, North Tyneside, South Tyneside and Sunderland. The closing date is 23 November 2026. The funder lists this fund among those currently accepting applications, so it is open now. Before you apply for the first time, you will need an account on the foundation's grantee portal. The funder also has a page for new applicants, so you can check that you and your activity meet its eligibility criteria. There is an FAQs page too, and a Help and Support page if you need extra support to apply. One practical point. The funder's page lists the maximum grant but gives no minimum, so plan your request around the £1,500 ceiling. If this fund does not quite fit your work, the foundation says you can make a general application at any time of year, as long as your organisation is in Tyne and Wear or Northumberland. This fund is a good place to start if you run a small community group supporting people facing abuse, hardship, discrimination or poor mental health in one of the areas above. Official source: https://www.communityfoundation.org.uk/apply/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 16 October 2026.
RWE Great Eppleton Wind Farm Community Benefits Fund
Point North
This fund from RWE, run by Point North, supports charities and community groups in and around the Great Eppleton Wind Farm near Hetton-le-Hole. It covers communities in County Durham and Sunderland, including Chilton Moor, Houghton-le-Spring, Murton and Seaton. You can apply for up to £5,000. The fund backs projects that improve public amenities, such as community halls and sports facilities. It also supports environmental and wildlife projects, including work to improve open spaces. Activities that engage the local community are covered, as are energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. These are examples only. If you are unsure whether your project, training or purchase fits, you can get in touch with Point North. The fund suits organisations with charitable aims within a 3-mile radius of the wind farm or in one of the listed villages. You do not need to be a registered charity. Constituted community and voluntary groups can apply, and so can registered social enterprises. Apply by 30 October 2026. You apply through Point North's online portal. Read the application guidelines in full before you start. Point North aims to give you a decision within 12 weeks of receiving a completed application. Some things are not funded. These include unspecified contributions to general fundraising appeals or large projects, contingency funding, and the for-profit or commercial parts of charitable organisations. Public bodies cannot use the fund to carry out their statutory duties. Party political activity and campaigning are also excluded. Official source: https://pointnorth.org.uk/grants/rwe-great-eppleton-wind-farm-community-benefits-fund/. Official source: https://pointnorth.org.uk/grants/rwe-great-eppleton-wind-farm-community-benefits-fund/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 28 October 2026.
South Sharpley Wind Farm Community Benefits Fund
Point North (South Sharpley Wind Farm)
The South Sharpley Wind Farm Community Benefits Fund offers grants of up to £5,000 to community groups, voluntary organisations and environmental projects in and around the South Sharpley wind farm near Seaham, County Durham. Point North runs the fund. The page says to apply by 30 October 2026. You can ask for help with a wide range of costs. These include capital items and equipment, coaching or training, project costs, sessional costs and capacity building. Smaller groups can also ask for a contribution to core or running costs, as long as your organisation typically spends less than £100,000 a year. The list is not complete, so get in touch with Point North if you are unsure whether your idea fits. The fund suits charities and community groups based in or serving Dalton-le-Dale, Easington Lane, Hetton-le-Hole, Houghton-le-Spring, Murton, Silksworth, Seaham Grange and Seaton. You do not need to be a registered charity, but you must have charitable aims. Schools, town and parish councils and registered social enterprises can apply too. There are some limits. The fund will not pay for vehicles or minibuses, or for general office resourcing that is not linked to a project. It will not fund the commercial parts of a charity's work. It will not cover unspecified contributions to general fundraising appeals or large projects, or public bodies carrying out their statutory duties. You apply through Point North's online portal. Read the guidelines in full first. Point North aims to give you a decision within 12 weeks of receiving a complete application. Official source: https://pointnorth.org.uk/grants/wind-farm-south-sharpley-community-benefits-fund/. Official source: https://pointnorth.org.uk/grants/wind-farm-south-sharpley-community-benefits-fund/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 28 October 2026.
Atom Futures Fund (Part 1) 2026
Point North (Atom Bank)
The Atom Futures Fund (Part 1) gives small grants to Year 13 students in the North East who want to go on to undergraduate study at one of the UK's 24 Russell Group universities. Point North runs the fund for Atom Bank. It aims to encourage students from low-income backgrounds, young carers and young people in the care system to apply to these universities. You can apply for up to £250. The money can help with things like preparing for interviews, travel to interviews, clothes for interviews, books and other resources, materials and equipment. This list gives examples and does not include everything. The fund is for students at state-funded schools, sixth forms and academies in County Durham, Northumberland, Tees Valley and Tyne and Wear. You need to be eligible for Free School Meals or equivalent, in the care system, or a young carer. Apply by 1 November 2026. Point North aims to give you a decision within six weeks of receiving your completed application. It aims to issue successful grants in January 2027. One important point: your application will only be processed once a named member of staff at your school verifies your details. If you receive a Part 1 grant and go on to study at a Russell Group university, you can later apply for Part 2 funding. Part 2 offers further support if you take up your place and continue your studies into the second term and beyond. Official source: https://pointnorth.org.uk/grants/atom-futures-fund-part1/. Official source: https://pointnorth.org.uk/grants/atom-futures-fund-part1/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 28 October 2026.
New this week (1)
Funders with open grants in Sunderland
- Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland (17 open)
- Point North (2 open)
- Point North (Atom Bank) (1 open)
- Point North (South Sharpley Wind Farm) (1 open)
- Point North (SWEF) (1 open)
- Sunderland City Council (1 open)
By grant size
| Largest award | Open grants |
|---|---|
| Up to £10,000 | 16 |
| £10,001 to £100,000 | 0 |
| Over £100,000 | 0 |
| Amount varies or not stated | 7 |
All open grants in Sunderland (23)
No deadline listed
Check the funder's current application window before you apply.
Dynamo Digital Inclusion Fund
Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland
The Dynamo Digital Inclusion Fund offers grants of up to £5,000. It is open to organisations in the North East of England. The fund covers areas including Tees Valley, Gateshead, Newcastle, Northumberland, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, and Sunderland. Applications close on 10 August 2026.
Supporting people with practical cost-of-living interventions in North East England
Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland
The Mayor's Opportunity Fund supports people with practical cost-of-living interventions across North East England. It is run by Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland, and it is listed on the funder's page as a grant for organisations. You can ask for up to £7,500. The page does not give a minimum award. The fund is a rolling grant. That means the funder lists it as open without a closing date, so you do not need to work to a fixed deadline. It covers County Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle, Northumberland, North Tyneside, South Tyneside and Sunderland. Tees Valley is not on the list of areas for this fund, so check that your work takes place in one of the seven named areas before you go any further. The funder asks first-time applicants to read its eligibility information and to register for an account on its grantee portal before applying. Plan time for this, because you cannot apply without an account. The funder also offers a Help and Support page and a set of FAQs if you need a hand with your application. One practical point to keep in mind: the listing on the funder's page is brief. It names the fund and the maximum grant, but the detail of what counts as a practical cost-of-living intervention sits behind the Read more link. Look at that fund page and the new applicant guidance so you can be sure your project fits before you spend time on an application. Official source: https://www.communityfoundation.org.uk/apply/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 16 October 2026.
Supporting people aged over 65 to be independent, healthy and socially included
Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland
The Pargiter Trust Fund supports people aged over 65 to stay independent, healthy and socially included. It is open to organisations working in Gateshead, Newcastle, Northumberland, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, and Sunderland. Grants are available up to £10,000. The closing date is 31 August 2026.
SWEF Business Grant (County Durham, Tees Valley and North East)
Point North (SWEF)
The SWEF Business Grant helps young people in County Durham, Tees Valley and the wider North East make a business investment they can't afford on their own but that will transform their business. It is a grant, not a loan, so you do not have to pay it back. Young people not in education, employment or training are encouraged to apply. There are two levels of grant. The Start-Up Grant offers up to £500 if your business is not yet making money, or turns over less than £500 a month. The Business Grant offers up to £2,000 for established businesses turning over more than £500 a month. Overall, awards range from £500 to £2,000. It suits sole traders and owners of limited companies or CICs limited by shares who are aged 18 to 30 and come from a low-income household or face other barriers. You must be the majority shareholder, and your business should have been trading for under two years. You can spend the money on things like equipment to boost production where there is proven demand, materials or stock for a new product line, prototypes, a website or booking system, training and product development. There is no deadline, so you can apply at any time. Point North aims to give you a decision within eight weeks of receiving your completed application. Be aware that the fund will not pay for salaries, rent, utilities, debt repayment, app or software development, ongoing subscriptions, or new computers, phones and tablets. Applications for a business idea alone are not accepted. Official source: https://pointnorth.org.uk/grants/swef-business-grant/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 28 October 2026.
Sunderland Community Chest
Sunderland City Council
Each Sunderland ward has £10,000 a year in Community Chest funding for one off local projects. Talk to a ward councillor before applying online. There is no fixed deadline, so you can apply at any time while funds last. Official source: https://www.sunderland.gov.uk/article/13134/Area-Committee-Funding. Last checked by GrantMatch on 22 October 2026.
Improving life chances in Tyne & Wear and Northumberland
Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland
The Reeds Grassroots Fund is a grant for organisations that want to improve life chances in Tyne and Wear and Northumberland. It is run by Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland and is listed among the funds currently accepting applications. You can ask for up to £3,000. The fund is open to organisations rather than individuals. It covers Gateshead, Newcastle, Northumberland, North Tyneside, South Tyneside and Sunderland. There is no closing date. The fund is listed as a rolling grant, so you do not need to wait for a deadline. That makes it a good fit if your plans do not line up with a fixed funding round. Before you apply for the first time, you will need an account on the funder's grantee portal. The funder also has information for new applicants, so you can check that you and your activity meet its eligibility criteria. It publishes answers to common questions too, and it has a Help and Support page if you need extra support to apply. One practical point. The funder's list gives only the headline facts for this fund. Use the "Read more" link for the fund on the funder's page to see its full details before you start your application. Official source: https://www.communityfoundation.org.uk/apply/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 16 October 2026.
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Create free accountThe 1989 Willan Charitable Trust
Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland
The 1989 Willan Charitable Trust is a fund run by Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland. It gives grants to organisations, and the funder's page lists it as a rolling grant. That means you can apply at any time rather than waiting for a closing date. The fund covers a wide area. It is open to organisations in County Durham, Tees Valley, Gateshead, Newcastle, Northumberland, North Tyneside, South Tyneside and Sunderland. The maximum grant is £10,000. The page does not give a minimum award. The funder's listing does not describe what the fund pays for, so this page cannot tell you the specific themes or activities it backs. The funder says its grants support a wide range of causes across the North East, and each fund has its own "Read more" page with the details. Before you apply for the first time, you will need an account on the funder's grantee portal. The funder also asks new applicants to check its eligibility criteria first. If you need support with your application, it has a Help and Support page. One practical point to bear in mind: the funder says some funds only open at certain times, but this one is listed as rolling. If no current fund suits your project, the funder says organisations in Tyne and Wear or Northumberland can make a general application at any time of year. Official source: https://www.communityfoundation.org.uk/apply/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 16 October 2026.
Questions
What grants are open in Sunderland right now?
Today GrantMatch lists 23 live grants limited to Sunderland or places within it. 7 close in the next 30 days and 16 have no fixed deadline.
Who funds grants in Sunderland?
Today the funders with the most open grants here are Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland, Point North and Point North (Atom Bank). Each grant page links to the funder's own guidance.
Are UK-wide grants included?
No. This page only lists grants that name Sunderland or a place inside it, so it is not padded with national funds. Organisations here can also apply for grants open across North East England and the whole UK, which are on our North East England and UK-wide pages.
How do you check these grants?
We collect grants from official funder pages, GOV.UK, councils and community foundations, and remove them when they close. Each grant page links to its source and shows when we last checked it. Always confirm the details with the funder before you apply.