Point North Community Foundation

The foundation funds a wide range of causes including community development, children and youth, education and skills, employment, environment, health, mental health, and poverty/hardship. Grants support core costs, project delivery, equipment, training, capacity building, and transport, among other uses. Their programmes are place-based, with some covering the whole North East region and others focused on specific areas such as Stanley parish wards in County Durham. Examples of supported work include respite care, habitat restoration, and initiatives that improve quality of life for people living with and beyond cancer.

Registered charities, community groups, social enterprises, and faith groups can apply, provided they are locally embedded and serve the North East region. Beneficiaries prioritised include children and young people, unemployed people, and those living with cancer. The foundation emphasises grassroots organisations with robust governance and community engagement, and prefers modest-sized, locally based groups. There is no religious restriction, though faith-based activities are generally excluded unless they offer wider community benefit.

The foundation does not fund medical research or equipment, national or regional charities, organisations with more than 12 months of free reserves, or those without their own bank account. Animal welfare and faith-based activities are generally excluded unless they have wider community benefit. Individuals are also not supported.

The foundation offers one-off grants, typically for core costs or project delivery, and emphasises trust-based, flexible funding. They welcome unsolicited applications for specific programmes. Match funding is not generally required, though some programmes may have specific conditions. All funding is place-based, with some programmes covering the whole region and others focused on particular localities.