Ballinger Charitable Trust

The trust funds a wide range of activities that improve the wellbeing of young people and older people in North East England. This includes welfare initiatives, youth development, elderly care, and community support. The trust is open to both core costs and project-specific costs, allowing organisations to use funding where it is most needed. The geographic focus is exclusively North East England, covering Tyne and Wear, Northumberland, County Durham, and surrounding areas. The trust particularly supports grassroots, volunteer-led groups that are deeply embedded in their communities, and it prioritises work that directly benefits young and older people, such as respite care, social activities, and practical support services.

The Ballinger Charitable Trust welcomes applications from registered charities, social enterprises, and community groups that are based and work in North East England. The trust prioritises grassroots, volunteer-led organisations that are deeply rooted in their local communities. It supports groups that work with young people and older people, and it values organisations run by volunteers with a strong local connection. The trust does not fund individuals, uniformed groups, or school-based projects. Eligible organisations must have a permanent base in the region and demonstrate a focus on the trust's beneficiary groups.

The trust does not provide funding for uniformed groups such as scouts or guides, school-based projects, or applications from individuals. It also excludes any activities that fall outside its focus on supporting young and older people in North East England. The trust concentrates its resources on grassroots, volunteer-led community organisations rather than larger or more formal institutions.

The trust offers both unrestricted core grants and project or capital grants. It prioritises flexible, trust-based funding and aims to reduce administrative burden for applicants. The trust welcomes unsolicited applications and seeks to build long-term relationships with the organisations it supports. It values partnership and works closely with grantees, favouring a light-touch approach that respects the expertise of local groups.