Shears Foundation
Apply to Shears Foundation with AI-assisted drafting
See your match score, then draft your application with an AI co-pilot — you stay in control of every word.
About This Funder
The Shears Foundation, a family-led charitable foundation established in 1994 by Trevor and Lyn Shears from proceeds of the Go-Ahead transport group flotation, began with an £8 million endowment—now grown to over £16.5 million—and distributes around £700,000 annually to foster stronger, healthier, more equitable communities, primarily in England's North East. Rooted in the founders' ethos of sharing private wealth for public good, it emphasizes long-term impact through personal trustee engagement, family governance, and values of generosity, stewardship, and loyalty to place, blending sustained partnerships with openness to grassroots initiatives.
It prioritizes five themes: culture and arts development; educational opportunities for adults and children; natural environment protection and enhancement; stronger, sustainable communities; and health/medicine promotion via research and education (not direct services). Funding supports capacity building, access improvements, and systemic change for projects like youth mental health, arts participation, environmental volunteering, educational bursaries, marginalized group support (e.g., sex workers), and occasional overseas work with strong fit—favoring collaboration, leverage, and core/project costs including staff/overheads.
Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities or CICs with income under £1.5 million (except core partners), at least three unconnected trustees/directors, and work predominantly in Tyne & Wear/Northumberland (55-60% of grants), York, Harrogate/Bradford, or Greater Manchester. New applicants must start with a compulsory phone/Zoom call, followed by online eligibility check and form submission; quarterly deadlines are 28/29 February, 31 May, 31 August, and 30 November, with outcomes in six weeks. Typical small grants are £3,000–£6,000; no capital projects, major equipment, or vehicles. Distinctive for its hands-on, trust-based relationships and North East rootedness, it sustains both deep partnerships and new opportunities for enduring community wellbeing.
Eligibility Checklist
Funding Details
Writing your application?
Free guides on what funders look for, common mistakes, and how to stand out
How to apply to Shears Foundation
Skip weeks of research. Write a strong application this afternoon — in your own words, with AI doing the heavy lifting.
Check your match
Describe your charity once and see how well you fit Shears Foundation's priorities — scored on location, cause, size, and 3 other factors.
Draft with your AI co-pilot
Paste the application question and word limit. The co-pilot writes a first draft using your charity's real data and this funder's criteria — not generic filler. You edit every word before it leaves.
Review, refine, submit
Every answer runs through an 8-point quality check — clear ask, funder alignment, measurable outcomes, and more. You stay in control. The AI does the drafting; you make it sound like you.
Ready to apply to Shears Foundation?
Most charities finish their first draft in under an hour.
7-day free trial · No credit card required
Similar Funders
Other funders with a similar profile and grant range.
Browse Related Grants
Apply to Shears Foundation
Match, draft, and review — all in one place.
7-day free trial. No credit card required.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much funding does Shears Foundation provide?
Shears Foundation typically provides grants ranging from £3,000 - £6,000.
Where does Shears Foundation fund charities?
Shears Foundation funds charities operating in Tyne & Wear, Northumberland, former Harrogate District.
How do I apply for funding from Shears Foundation?
With Fundermatcher, you describe your charity once and see your compatibility score with Shears Foundation. If you're a good fit, you can start drafting your application immediately using our AI co-pilot — paste each question and word limit, and the co-pilot writes a tailored first draft using your charity's real data and Shears Foundation's priorities. You review and edit every answer before submitting.
Will funders know my application was drafted with AI?
No. The co-pilot uses your charity's real name, numbers, and impact data — not generic filler or templates. Every draft reads like it was written by someone who knows your charity inside-out, because it's built on your actual profile. You edit and refine every word before it goes anywhere, so the final application sounds like you — because it is.
Your next application could be finished today
Shears Foundation is one of 3,500+ UK funders. Find your best matches, then draft each application with an AI co-pilot that knows what funders want to read — while you keep full control of every word.
7-day free trial · No credit card required
Apply to Shears Foundation this afternoon
See your match score, then draft your application with an AI co-pilot. You edit every word — it just saves you hours of writing.
Apply to Shears Foundation
Match + AI-assisted drafting