Grant News
Funding of Up to £10,000 Available to Tackle Social Deprivation (North East)
Registered charities can apply for up to £10,000 per year for up to two years to support activities that benefit people living in Tyne & Wear, Northumberland, County Durham and Teesside.
Priority will be given to projects that:
- Ease social deprivation; and/or
- Enrich the local community fabric and improve individuals' quality of life.
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 exhaustive.
The closing date for applications is 15 May 2026.
Useful Links:
5th March 2026