Community grants in County Durham and Darlington
As of 22 October 2026, GrantMatch lists 22 live grants for community groups in County Durham from 11 funders. 5 close in the next 30 days, the first on 23 October 2026, 11 are open all year with no fixed deadline, and 19 were added this week. Each entry links to the official source.
Listings last checked 22 October 2026. Guide checked 21 October 2026.
County Durham stretches from the Pennine dales of Teesdale and Weardale to the coast at Seaham and Peterlee, with Darlington to the south. Community money here comes from Point North, the community foundation, Durham County Council and its councillors, housing associations, charitable trusts and a group of wind and solar farm funds for the villages around them.
This page lists live grants for charities, CICs and community groups in County Durham and Darlington. Grants open across the whole North East are on our North East page, and UK-wide community grants are listed underneath.
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Create free accountClosing in the next 30 days (5)
County Durham Homelessness Prevention Funding (Local Networks)
Durham County Council
Durham County Council is offering £2,000 to £10,000 to voluntary groups that help prevent homelessness. Holistic projects are welcome as long as they link clearly to homelessness prevention. Applications close on 30 October 2026. Official source: https://www.durham.gov.uk/article/37337/News-New-100-000-funding-pot-to-support-prevention-of-homelessness. Last checked by GrantMatch on 22 October 2026.
South Sharpley Wind Farm Community Benefits Fund
Point North (South Sharpley Wind Farm)
The South Sharpley fund gives up to £5,000 to community projects around Seaham, Murton and Houghton-le-Spring. Equipment, project costs, training and small groups' running costs can all be funded. Applications close on 30 October 2026. Official source: https://pointnorth.org.uk/grants/wind-farm-south-sharpley-community-benefits-fund/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 22 October 2026.
RWE Great Eppleton Wind Farm Community Benefits Fund
Point North
The Great Eppleton Wind Farm community fund gives up to £5,000 to local groups in and around Hetton-le-Hole, on the County Durham and Sunderland border. It covers Chilton Moor, Easington Lane, Hetton, Houghton-le-Spring, Murton, Rainton, Seaton, South Hetton and Warden Law. You need charitable aims, but you do not have to be a registered charity. It can pay for community halls, sports facilities, environmental projects, community activities and energy saving. Applications close on 30 October 2026. Official source: https://pointnorth.org.uk/grants/rwe-great-eppleton-wind-farm-community-benefits-fund/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 22 October 2026.
High Sheriff Youth Awards Scheme (County Durham, Darlington, Hartlepool and Stockton)
Point North (High Sheriff of County Durham)
The High Sheriff Youth Awards give youth groups £1,500 to £5,000 to recognise their work with young people. Mental health, crime diversion and role model projects are especially welcome. Shortlisted groups attend a ceremony in February 2027. Applications close on 8 November 2026. Official source: https://pointnorth.org.uk/grants/high-sheriff-youth-awards-26/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 22 October 2026.
believe housing Community Development Fund (Crook, Willington, Sunnybrow and Billy Row)
believe housing
believe housing offers £5,000 to £20,000 for projects in Crook, Willington, Sunnybrow and Billy Row. Youth opportunities, skills, wellbeing and antisocial behaviour projects are the priorities. Start with an expression of interest. Applications close on 23 October 2026. Official source: https://www.believehousing.co.uk/community-funding/community-development-fund/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 22 October 2026.
Added this week (19)
County Durham Homelessness Prevention Funding (Local Networks)
Durham County Council
Durham County Council is offering £2,000 to £10,000 to voluntary groups that help prevent homelessness. Holistic projects are welcome as long as they link clearly to homelessness prevention. Applications close on 30 October 2026. Official source: https://www.durham.gov.uk/article/37337/News-New-100-000-funding-pot-to-support-prevention-of-homelessness. Last checked by GrantMatch on 22 October 2026.
South Sharpley Wind Farm Community Benefits Fund
Point North (South Sharpley Wind Farm)
The South Sharpley fund gives up to £5,000 to community projects around Seaham, Murton and Houghton-le-Spring. Equipment, project costs, training and small groups' running costs can all be funded. Applications close on 30 October 2026. Official source: https://pointnorth.org.uk/grants/wind-farm-south-sharpley-community-benefits-fund/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 22 October 2026.
RWE Great Eppleton Wind Farm Community Benefits Fund
Point North
The Great Eppleton Wind Farm community fund gives up to £5,000 to local groups in and around Hetton-le-Hole, on the County Durham and Sunderland border. It covers Chilton Moor, Easington Lane, Hetton, Houghton-le-Spring, Murton, Rainton, Seaton, South Hetton and Warden Law. You need charitable aims, but you do not have to be a registered charity. It can pay for community halls, sports facilities, environmental projects, community activities and energy saving. Applications close on 30 October 2026. Official source: https://pointnorth.org.uk/grants/rwe-great-eppleton-wind-farm-community-benefits-fund/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 22 October 2026.
High Sheriff Youth Awards Scheme (County Durham, Darlington, Hartlepool and Stockton)
Point North (High Sheriff of County Durham)
The High Sheriff Youth Awards give youth groups £1,500 to £5,000 to recognise their work with young people. Mental health, crime diversion and role model projects are especially welcome. Shortlisted groups attend a ceremony in February 2027. Applications close on 8 November 2026. Official source: https://pointnorth.org.uk/grants/high-sheriff-youth-awards-26/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 22 October 2026.
Longpasture Solar Farm Community Fund (Darlington)
Point North
The Longpasture Solar Farm Community Fund gives £2,000 to £5,000 to groups within 10 miles of the solar farm in Darlington. Projects should fight poverty or create opportunities for local people in places like Darlington, Newton Aycliffe, Sedgefield, Stockton and Middlesbrough. Your income must be under £500,000. Applications close on 22 November 2026. Official source: https://pointnorth.org.uk/grants/longpasture-solar-farm-community-fund/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 22 October 2026.
Open Door Fund (County Durham)
Point North
The Open Door Fund gives up to £6,000 to County Durham groups running warm, welcoming community spaces. Your space should offer a friendly welcome, free hot drinks, and help to reach advice and support. The grant can pay for heating and lighting, staff time, volunteers, venue hire and refreshments. Decisions take about four weeks. Applications close on 30 November 2026. Official source: https://pointnorth.org.uk/grants/open-door-fund/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 22 October 2026.
Guide
Checked 21 October 2026 against the official sources linked.
Point North
Point North, known until 2024 as County Durham Community Foundation, runs a Community Grants Programme of up to £7,000 for groups in County Durham and Darlington, focused on health and wellbeing and reducing inequalities. You do not have to be a registered charity, but you must have charitable aims. It also runs funds for one place or cause, including several linked to wind and solar farms.
Source: Point North: Community Grants Programme, Point North (formerly County Durham Community Foundation)
Durham County Council
Each county councillor has a budget to support projects in their area through the Councillors' Grant. The council will only consider an application that your local councillor supports, so talk to them first. The council also runs a free community funding website where groups in the county can search for funding.
Wind and solar farm funds
Several wind and solar farms, such as Walkway near Sedgefield, Trimdon Grange and Moor House near Darlington, fund groups in the nearby villages through Point North. The area of benefit is usually a list of villages or a set distance from the site, so check that your project is inside it.
Housing associations and local support
Housing associations such as believe housing and Livin run small community grants for the areas where their tenants live. Durham Community Action supports community groups across the county with funding advice, training and help to set up a new group.
Source: Durham Community Action
Who funds this
| Funder | Open grants here |
|---|---|
| Point North | 9 |
| believe housing | 2 |
| Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland | 2 |
| Durham County Council | 2 |
| GrantScape (funded by Ashcourt Group) | 1 |
| Livin | 1 |
| Point North (ESB Energy) | 1 |
| Point North (High Sheriff of County Durham) | 1 |
11 different funders in total. Where a maximum award is stated, the middle value is £5,000.
By grant size
| Largest award | Open grants |
|---|---|
| Up to £2,000 | 2 |
| £2,001 to £10,000 | 14 |
| £10,001 to £100,000 | 2 |
| Over £100,000 | 1 |
| Amount varies or not stated | 3 |
All open grants (22)
No deadline listed
Check the funder's current application window before you apply.
ESB West Durham Wind Farm Community Benefits Fund
Point North (ESB Energy)
ESB's West Durham Wind Farm fund gives up to £5,000 to community groups in and around Tow Law, Cornsay and Satley. Community halls, green spaces, local activities and energy saving projects can all be funded. Decisions take about 12 weeks. There is no fixed deadline, so you can apply at any time while funds last. Official source: https://pointnorth.org.uk/grants/west-durham-wind-farm-community-benefits-fund/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 22 October 2026.
Durham Councillors' Grant
Durham County Council
The Durham Councillors' Grant is a way to get funding for a local project in County Durham. Each county councillor has a budget that they can allocate to projects in their local community. It suits voluntary and community groups with a project idea that would benefit people in the area. The best first step is to talk to your own county councillor about your plans. The key caveat is that you must discuss your idea with your local County Councillor and win their support before an application can be considered. Without that backing, your application will not go forward. Durham County Council has a Your Councillors page. It lists councillor contact details and the local projects they have supported, so you can see what has been backed before. If you want to look at other options, the council also runs a free community funding website called Durham 4 Community. You can sign up to search for funding schemes for your group, apply for funding and get advice on writing your application. Please note that the Local Networks Fund, which appears on the same council page, is a separate scheme. It offered between £5,000 and £10,000 per project and closed on 30 September 2026. It is not the Councillors' Grant. Official source: https://www.durham.gov.uk/communityfunding. Last checked by GrantMatch on 16 October 2026.
believe housing Small Community Grant
believe housing
Grants to kick-start new or established groups delivering activities or projects that improve people's lives and wellbeing, such as classes, events, equipment, short-term coaching or training, and up to 60% capital costs. Not for core or ongoing costs. Amount: Up to £1,000 a year. Rolling: open all year (maximum £1,000 per group each financial year). Who can apply: Not-for-profit groups whose project benefits one or more County Durham communities where believe housing has homes, with a bank account with two unrelated signatories and two named contacts. How to apply: Download the application criteria and guidance from the believe housing page and apply as set out there. You can apply for one £1,000 grant or two £500 grants a year. Official source: https://www.believehousing.co.uk/community-funding/1000-community-grant/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 19 October 2026.
Moor House Wind Farm Community Fund (Darlington)
Point North
The Moor House Wind Farm community fund gives up to £7,000 to local groups in the Darlington Borough Council area. It covers Darlington borough, with priority for Barmpton, Bishopton, Brafferton, Great Burdon, Great and Little Stainton, Sadberge and Whinfield and Harrogate Hill. You need charitable aims, but you do not have to be a registered charity. It can pay for community facilities, environmental work, health and wellbeing, training and social activities. There is no deadline, and applications are considered all year. Official source: https://pointnorth.org.uk/grants/moor-house-wind-farm-community-fund/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 22 October 2026.
Sir James Knott Trust Grants
Sir James Knott Trust
Grants for charitable activity in Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, County Durham and Hartlepool. Small grants of £2,000 and under are processed between meetings. Amount: Not stated (small grants up to £2,000; larger grants considered). Rolling: no deadlines; allow up to 18 weeks (small grants about 6 weeks). Who can apply: Registered charities, community groups and social enterprises working in the Trust area (not Darlington, Stockton, Redcar or Middlesbrough). Turnover over £3m only in exceptional cases. How to apply: Use the online application form on the Trust website (create a new log in if you last applied before 2 September 2025). Enquiries are welcome before applying. Official source: https://www.knott-trust.co.uk/applications. Last checked by GrantMatch on 19 October 2026.
The 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.
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Create free accountOpen Door Fund (County Durham)
Point North
The Open Door Fund gives up to £6,000 to County Durham groups running warm, welcoming community spaces. Your space should offer a friendly welcome, free hot drinks, and help to reach advice and support. The grant can pay for heating and lighting, staff time, volunteers, venue hire and refreshments. Decisions take about four weeks. Applications close on 30 November 2026. Official source: https://pointnorth.org.uk/grants/open-door-fund/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 22 October 2026.
UK-wide community grants also open here
These are open to groups anywhere in the UK. Check each one for its full rules.
Sylvia Waddilove Foundation UK
Sylvia Waddilove Foundation UK
Grants usually of £1,000 to £5,000, mainly for capital costs, across areas including the arts, disability, hospices, historic buildings and education. UK charities can apply; income limits vary by funding area (for example under £500,000 for most arts and £3 million for building preservation). Apply through the online form before 12 noon on 30 October 2026 (the autumn round may close early if busy). Official source: https://pwwsolicitors.co.uk/charity-grants/waddilove-foundation-uk/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 19 October 2026.
Ford Britain Trust Small Grants
Ford Britain Trust
Small grants of up to £250 for capital items and projects that benefit communities, young people, education and disabled people. Areas near Ford sites get priority. Registered charities, state schools, PTAs and not-for-profit groups in the UK can apply. Large grants (up to £3,000) are paused until a new form is published. Apply online by 31 October 2026 for review in November. Official source: https://www.ford.co.uk/experience-ford/news/ford-britain-trust. Last checked by GrantMatch on 19 October 2026.
LGBT+ Fund Get Active Fund
The LGBT+ Fund (Consortium)
Grants of £5,000 to £25,000 a year, for one or two years, for LGBT+ sport and physical activity groups across the UK. UK organisations and groups working in LGBT+ sport and physical activity can apply, with priority for grassroots groups. Apply on the LGBT+ Fund website before 12 noon on 4 November 2026. Official source: https://lgbtfund.org.uk/live-funds/get-active-fund/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 19 October 2026.
British Science Week Community Grant Scheme
British Science Association
Grants for community groups to run science activity for British Science Week 2027. Pilot Grants are £2,500, and Incubator Grants of £5,000 to £8,000 fund projects co-designed by community organisations and researchers. Community organisations and groups across the UK can apply, especially those working with audiences under-represented in science. Apply online through the British Science Week website before 5pm on 4 November 2026. Decisions by 14 December 2026. Official source: https://www.britishscienceweek.org/grants/community-grant-scheme/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 19 October 2026.
British Science Week Curiosity Grant for Schools
British Science Association
A £600 cash grant paid to a school to run science activity for British Science Week 2027. UK schools can apply. No more than £100 can go on refreshments. Apply online from the British Science Week site by 5pm on 4 November 2026. Official source: https://www.britishscienceweek.org/grants/new-school-funding-2027/curiosity-grant/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 19 October 2026.
Social Investment Gateway Programme
School for Social Entrepreneurs
The Social Investment Gateway Programme is a free 12-month support programme run by the School for Social Entrepreneurs (SSE). It helps charities, social enterprises and community organisations strengthen their trading and move closer to being ready for social investment within the next three years. The programme will support 75 leaders across four cohorts. Cohort 2 runs from 1 March 2027 to 1 February 2028, and applications are now open. Face-to-face sessions take place in London and Manchester at the start, middle and end of the programme. You can choose between two types of grant. A Match Trading Grant of up to £18,000 is designed to challenge your trading, and you can only draw it down as your trading grows. It is paid over 12 months in five instalments. A repayable grant of up to £24,000 is also available, with an average of around £22,000. SSE is piloting repayable grants, and 10 are on offer across both rounds. SSE will share the risk with you and wants to learn with you how repayable grants might help organisations get into social investment. The programme suits organisations that have a trading model and plans to grow over the next year. You might want support with market development, pricing and sales, financial strategy, systems, governance, demonstrating impact or managing risk. The deadline is noon on Friday 6 November 2026. One practical point: you should usually have an annual income above £100,000, counting all income and not just trading income. Groups below that level with a strong trading model are encouraged to contact SSE. Official source: https://www.actiontogether.org.uk/social-investment-gateway-programme. Last checked by GrantMatch on 16 October 2026.
Leeds Building Society Foundation - Small Grants
Leeds Building Society Foundation
The Leeds Building Society Foundation Small Grants help UK charities that support people in need of a safe and secure home. The Foundation funds work in the housing and homelessness sector. You can apply for up to £2,500. The grants are flexible, so you can ask for core, project or capital costs. The average grant period is between six months and a year. The scheme suits UK-registered charities with a turnover of under £500,000. You can be based anywhere in the UK. Your application must meet at least one of the funding priorities: financial stress, security and refuge, or quality and suitability of housing. You can also apply under the theme of health and wellbeing support for people experiencing homelessness. This must be part of wraparound support, and your application must also meet at least one of the other priorities. The Foundation welcomes applications that take a Housing First and/or relationship-based approach. It would like to see evidence of strength-based practice, trauma-informed care and psychologically informed environments. The current application window opened on 8 September 2026 and closes on 11 November 2026. The Foundation's meeting for this window is on 4 December 2026. One practical point: the Foundation highly recommends reading its grant giving guide before you apply. The guide explains what is funded, who is eligible and how the process works. Official source: https://www.leedsbuildingsociety.co.uk/your-society/about-us/foundation/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 16 October 2026.
DPS Social Commitment Programme: Scale
School for Social Entrepreneurs
A nine-month learning programme plus a grant of up to £10,000 for established social enterprises and charities that help people get and keep secure housing. UK organisations tackling housing insecurity, usually with annual income over £100,000 and a model ready to grow, can apply. Register interest and apply on the SSE website by 12pm on 16 November 2026. Official source: https://www.the-sse.org/programme/the-dps-social-commitment-programme-scale/. Last checked by GrantMatch on 19 October 2026.
See every grant for community groups (75 in total)
Questions
What community grants are open in County Durham and Darlington?
Today GrantMatch lists 22 live grants for charities, CICs or community groups in County Durham and Darlington, from 11 funders. 16 offer up to £10,000, 11 have no fixed deadline and 5 close in the next 30 days.
Can a CIC apply to Point North?
Point North's Community Grants Programme accepts social enterprises, such as CICs and companies limited by guarantee, that are registered with the appropriate body and earn more than half their income from trading. Registered charities, CIOs and constituted community groups can apply too.
Who are the main funders?
Funding here comes from community foundations, councils and others. Today the largest funders here are Point North, believe housing, Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland.
Is Darlington included?
Yes. Point North covers Darlington as well as County Durham, and some funds on this page are only for the Darlington area. Grants for the rest of the Tees Valley and for Tyne and Wear are on our North East page.
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.
Start your free GrantMatch account
Tell us about your organisation once and GrantMatch shows the grants you are most likely to win, checks your eligibility and emails you when new funding for community groups in County Durham opens. Free to start, no card needed.
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Sources and how we check
We collect grants from official funder pages 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. Guide sources: