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Funding of Up to £10,000 Available to Tackle Social Deprivation (North East)

Registered charities, as well as exempted or excepted organisations, are invited to apply for funding of up to £10,000 per year (for up to two years) to support core costs and charitable activities that benefit residents of Tyne & Wear, Northumberland, County Durham, and Teesside.

Priority will be given to projects that:

  • Ease social deprivation; and/or
  • Enrich the fabric of the local community and improve the quality of life for individuals.

The funding is provided by the 1989 Willan Charitable Trust, which distributes up to £500,000 annually with the support of the Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland. The Trustees prefer to fund projects where their support will make a significant contribution to delivery.

Examples of Projects Funded

  • Initiatives meeting the needs of communities experiencing high levels of deprivation.
  • Self-help projects that improve local quality of life.
  • Services for young people addressing educational needs or offering diversion from crime and anti-social behaviour.
  • Projects supporting communities affected by crime and anti-social behaviour.
  • Arts initiatives tackling deprivation or enhancing local quality of life.
  • Work of youth organisations, particularly the Sea Cadets, Scouts, Guides, Boys’ Brigades, and other uniformed groups (grants here generally up to £1,500).
  • Projects drawing on the region’s maritime heritage to improve quality of life or address deprivation.
  • Gap year voluntary work through Project Trust (grants limited to £500 towards placement expenses; applicants must normally reside in the North East).

Exempted or excepted organisations can include:

  • Registered Housing Associations
  • Parish Churches
  • Further Education Colleges / Universities
  • Scout and Guide groups

This list is not exhuastive.

The closing date for applications is 15 November 2025.

 

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20th August 2025