Shears Foundation
Could Shears Foundation fund your project? Check fit free. Draft if yes — or shortlist better matches.
- Typical grants
- £3,000 – £6,000
- Where they fund
- Tyne & Wear and Northumberland, Harrogate District, City of York, City of Bradford, Greater Manchester
- Applications
- Accepted
- How to apply
- Phone first
- Decisions
- Quarterly
Works for Registered charities, CIOs, CICs and community groups.
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shearsfoundation.orgAbout Shears Foundation
The Shears Foundation is a family-led charitable trust that supports organisations working to build stronger, healthier and more equitable communities. The Trustees place a strong emphasis on the North East of England, particularly Tyne & Wear and Northumberland, while also considering applications from the Harrogate District, City of York, City of Bradford and Greater Manchester. The Foundation values long-term relationships and offers unrestricted funding and multi-year pledges to its core groups, alongside a rolling small grants programme for a wider range of organisations. Its funding character is trust-based and hands-on, with a loyalty to place and a preference for work that draws on a range of funding sources.
What Shears Foundation funds
The Foundation funds work across five priority areas: culture and the arts, education, the natural environment, community development, and health and medicine, with a particular interest in research and education within the health field. Grants support core costs, salaries and project delivery. The geographic focus is Tyne & Wear and Northumberland, with additional consideration for organisations in the Harrogate District, City of York, City of Bradford and Greater Manchester. The Foundation also prioritises work that is funded from a range of sources.
Who can apply
Applications are open to registered charities, Community Interest Companies (CICs), Community Benefit Societies and Exempt Charities. The Foundation prioritises organisations based in or working within Tyne & Wear, Northumberland, the Harrogate District, City of York, City of Bradford and Greater Manchester. It looks favourably on applications where the work is supported by a range of funding sources. Organisations must have at least three unconnected trustees. There is no religious restriction.
What Shears Foundation doesn't fund
The Foundation does not fund individuals, hospices, domestic pets, capital projects as defined, or applications that promote religion or faith. It also excludes overseas work (unless already supported), single identity groups without evidence of integration, and organisations with fewer than three unconnected trustees.
How they like to fund
The Foundation offers two funding streams: a Core Grants Programme for long-term partners, providing unrestricted funding and multi-year pledges, and a Small Grants Programme for one-off grants. It welcomes unsolicited applications and values long-term relationships. Trustees look favourably on applications where the work is funded from a range of sources, though match funding is not required.
How much does Shears Foundation give?
Shears Foundation runs 2 grant programmes. Every figure below is sourced from their published guidance.
Last verified 8 August 2026 · 30 sourced facts
- Online application form
- Multi-year funding
- Online application form
- Decisions in ~6 weeks
- Single-year grants
Those are the published figures. What your charity could realistically get — and whether you'd clear their rules on income, location and legal structure — is what the free fit check answers.
What Shears Foundation funds — and what they won't
Core groups are long-term partners that receive unrestricted funding and multi-year pledges. The same priority areas and geography apply.
The full exclusions list (7)
- Hospices
- Overseas work (from 1 March 2026 unless currently supported)
- Domestic pets
- Single identity groups without evidence of integration
- Organisations with less than three unconnected trustees
- Applications that promote religion or faith
- Capital projects as defined
Good to know
How to apply to Shears Foundation
Shears Foundation takes applications via phone first.
- Published programme route: online application form.
- Decisions are typically quarterly.
- Check whether your charity is in scope before you spend time on a full bid.
What Shears Foundation's application asks
We hold the 46 questions from Shears Foundation's application form, word for word — so you know exactly what you're signing up to answer.
“Same as Small Grants Programme application form.”
“What is the name of your organisation?”
44 more questions from their form, plus answers drafted from your charity's real data if you decide to apply.
How it works
- 1Describe your project. Once — used for this funder and others.
- 2See if this could be a fit. Honest check on cause, place, size, and rules.
- 3Draft if yes. From your real data — or move on if not.
See if Shears Foundation could be a fit. Draft if yes.
Frequently asked questions
How much funding does Shears Foundation provide?
Shears Foundation runs 2 grant programmes — Small Grants Programme: £3,000 – £6,300.
Where does Shears Foundation fund charities?
Shears Foundation funds charities operating in Tyne & Wear and Northumberland, Harrogate District, City of York, City of Bradford, Greater Manchester.
Does Shears Foundation accept unsolicited applications?
Shears Foundation accepts unsolicited applications from eligible organisations. Current programme status is on this page — do not assume a round is open.
What does Shears Foundation not fund?
Their published exclusions include: Hospices; Overseas work (from 1 March 2026 unless currently supported); Domestic pets; Single identity groups without evidence of integration; Organisations with less than three unconnected trustees. The full exclusions list is further up this page.
How do I apply for funding from Shears Foundation?
Shears Foundation takes applications via phone first. Published programme route: online application form.
Similar funders
Other UK funders with overlapping focus — not a claim they fund the same charities.
Spotted something that needs correcting? Tell us.
Could Shears Foundation be a fit?
Check free. Draft if yes, or shortlist better matches.