Community grants in the North East and Northumberland
As of 22 October 2026, GrantMatch lists 52 live grants for community groups in the North East from 27 funders. 10 close in the next 30 days, the first on 23 October 2026, 28 are open all year with no fixed deadline, and 35 were added this week. Each entry links to the official source.
Listings last checked 22 October 2026. Guide checked 21 October 2026.
The North East covers Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, County Durham and the Tees Valley. Community money here comes from the community foundation, councils, housing associations, the water company and a growing number of offshore wind and energy funds, and much of it is aimed at one county, town or estate rather than the whole region.
This page lists live grants tagged to the North East that are open to charities, CICs or community groups, including funds only for Northumberland. UK-wide community grants are listed underneath.
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Create free accountClosing in the next 30 days (10)
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.
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.
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.
Increasing opportunities for children and young people (CYP) to engage in sport, movement and performing arts in Newcastle
Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland
This fund aims to increase opportunities for children and young people to take part in sport, movement and performing arts in Newcastle. It is listed on the Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland site as the Wembley Stadium Foundation Communities Fund. It is an organisation grant, so it suits groups working in Newcastle that want to open up more sport, movement or performing arts activity for children and young people. You can apply for up to £10,000. The fund is open for applications now and closes on 2 November 2026. Note that some other funds on the same page close earlier, on 19 October 2026, so make sure you are looking at the right closing date for this one. If you have not applied to the Community Foundation before, you will need an account on its grantee portal first. It is worth registering early so that nothing slows you down close to the closing date. The funder also has a page for new applicants where you can check that you and your activity meet its eligibility criteria, plus FAQs and a Help and Support page if you need extra help to apply. The listing on the page is brief, so read the full fund details through the "Read more" link before you start your application. If this fund is not the right fit, the Community Foundation 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.
Woodsmith Foundation Community Grants
The Woodsmith Foundation
Woodsmith Foundation Community Grants give £2,001 to £10,000 for larger projects in Redcar and Cleveland, Scarborough and the North York Moors. Capital and revenue costs are both eligible, and projects for people facing disadvantage are prioritised. Applications close on 5 November 2026. Official source: https://www.woodsmithfoundation.org.uk/apply-now. 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.
Thirteen Community Fund 2026/27
Thirteen Group
Small grants for projects that make a positive difference in neighbourhoods where Thirteen has homes, helping communities thrive and supporting wellbeing and sustainability. Amount: Up to £600. Next deadline Thursday 19 November 2026; later deadlines 7 January and 18 February 2027. Who can apply: Community groups, local charities, residents associations, voluntary organisations and public sector bodies working in areas where Thirteen has homes. Applicants must show match funding (cash, donated materials or volunteer time). How to apply: Read the guidance notes, then complete the Thirteen Community Fund application form on the Your Voice site by the round deadline. A customer panel decides within 10 working days. Official source: https://yourvoice.thirteengroup.co.uk/thirteen-community-fund-2026-27. Last checked by GrantMatch on 19 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.
And 2 more in all open grants below.
Added this week (35)
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.
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.
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.
Woodsmith Foundation Community Grants
The Woodsmith Foundation
Woodsmith Foundation Community Grants give £2,001 to £10,000 for larger projects in Redcar and Cleveland, Scarborough and the North York Moors. Capital and revenue costs are both eligible, and projects for people facing disadvantage are prioritised. Applications close on 5 November 2026. Official source: https://www.woodsmithfoundation.org.uk/apply-now. 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.
Thirteen Community Fund 2026/27
Thirteen Group
Small grants for projects that make a positive difference in neighbourhoods where Thirteen has homes, helping communities thrive and supporting wellbeing and sustainability. Amount: Up to £600. Next deadline Thursday 19 November 2026; later deadlines 7 January and 18 February 2027. Who can apply: Community groups, local charities, residents associations, voluntary organisations and public sector bodies working in areas where Thirteen has homes. Applicants must show match funding (cash, donated materials or volunteer time). How to apply: Read the guidance notes, then complete the Thirteen Community Fund application form on the Your Voice site by the round deadline. A customer panel decides within 10 working days. Official source: https://yourvoice.thirteengroup.co.uk/thirteen-community-fund-2026-27. Last checked by GrantMatch on 19 October 2026.
Guide
Checked 21 October 2026 against the official sources linked.
The community foundations
Two community foundations give many of the grants on this page. Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland covers the north of the region, and Point North, known until 2024 as County Durham Community Foundation, covers County Durham, Darlington and the Tees Valley. Each runs many separate funds, some for one place such as a parish or a part of Northumberland, and some for a cause such as young people, older people or people facing hardship. Read the area and purpose of each fund before you apply.
Source: Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland, Point North (formerly County Durham Community Foundation)
Housing associations and utilities
Several housing associations in the region run small community funds for the neighbourhoods where their tenants live, and Northumbrian Water has funds for community and environmental projects. These are often quick, short applications for a few hundred or a few thousand pounds.
Councils and councillor grants
Councils such as Durham County Council give councillors a small budget to support groups in their ward. These grants are usually modest but simple to apply for, and a councillor who knows your work can be a useful supporter for other bids too.
Regional support
VONNE is the regional support body for the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector in the North East, with news, training and networks. Local councils for voluntary service can also help you find funding and check a draft application.
Who funds this
| Funder | Open grants here |
|---|---|
| Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland | 12 |
| Point North | 11 |
| believe housing | 2 |
| Durham County Council | 2 |
| Northumbrian Water Group | 2 |
| The Woodsmith Foundation | 2 |
| Bernicia | 1 |
| Dogger Bank Wind Farm | 1 |
27 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 | 12 |
| £2,001 to £10,000 | 20 |
| £10,001 to £100,000 | 5 |
| Over £100,000 | 1 |
| Amount varies or not stated | 14 |
All open grants (52)
No deadline listed
Check the funder's current application window before you apply.
Woodsmith Foundation Small Grants for Everyday Essentials and Activities
The Woodsmith Foundation
Woodsmith Foundation small grants give £50 to £2,000 to community groups in Redcar and Cleveland, Scarborough and the North York Moors. They pay for equipment, kit, qualifications and short activities. Panels meet monthly, and you hear back within two weeks. There is no fixed deadline, so you can apply at any time while funds last. Official source: https://www.woodsmithfoundation.org.uk/apply-now. Last checked by GrantMatch on 22 October 2026.
Out of School artistic and creative activities for children and young people in Tyne & Wear and Northumberland
Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland
The John D Fund provides grants up to £2,500 for out of school artistic and creative activities for children and young people. The fund covers Gateshead, Newcastle, Northumberland, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, and Sunderland. You can apply for activities that happen outside normal school hours. The closing date is 1st June 2026. This could fund art classes, drama groups, music workshops, or other creative projects for young people. No minimum grant amount is specified.
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.
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 community groups within a 10-mile radius of the Green Rigg Wind Farm
Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland
This fund supports community groups near the Green Rigg Wind Farm in Northumberland. You can apply for up to £5,000. Your group must be within 10 miles of the wind farm. Projects should benefit the local community. Businesses and individuals cannot apply.
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.
More grants
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Create free accountHigh 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.
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 (69 in total)
Questions
What community grants are open in the North East?
Today GrantMatch lists 52 live grants tagged to the North East that are open to charities, CICs or community groups, from 27 funders. 32 offer up to £10,000, 28 have no fixed deadline and 10 close in the next 30 days.
Are there grants only for Northumberland?
Yes. Several funds on this page are only for groups in Northumberland, or for one part of it, including funds run by the community foundation and community benefit funds from energy projects.
Does the North East include Teesside?
Yes. The North East region covers Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, County Durham and the Tees Valley, including Middlesbrough, Stockton, Hartlepool, Redcar and Cleveland, and Darlington.
Can a CIC apply?
Often, yes. Many community foundation and housing association grants accept CICs as well as charities and constituted groups, though some only accept CICs limited by guarantee. Each grant page says who the funder accepts.
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 the North East opens. Free to start, no card needed.
Create free accountRelated pages
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: