Sir James Knott Trust

Could Sir James Knott Trust fund your project? Check fit free. Draft if yes — or shortlist better matches.

Typical grants: Up to £20,000
Where they fund: Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, County Durham, Hartlepool
Applications: Accepted
How to apply: Online form
Decisions: Three times yearly

Works for Registered charities, CIOs, CICs and community groups.

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knott-trust.co.uk

About Sir James Knott Trust

The Sir James Knott Trust is a philanthropic foundation established in 1924 by Tyneside shipowner Sir James Knott. Guided by an ethos of practical, tangible impact, they support charitable work across North East England, prioritising local organisations that deliver direct benefits to communities.

The Trust funds a broad range of charitable activities, including core costs, salaries, capital works, and project delivery. They support registered charities, community groups, social enterprises, and faith organisations (provided activities are open to all). Their geographic focus is Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, County Durham, and Hartlepool. National charities are considered only if they can demonstrate exceptional additional value to the region.

The Trust favours small to medium grassroots organisations; those with high turnover are rarely funded. They do not fund individuals, research, or activity that has already taken place. Multi-year funding is possible.

How much does Sir James Knott Trust give?

Sir James Knott Trust runs one grant programme. Every figure below is sourced from their published guidance.

Last verified 8 August 2026 · 20 sourced facts

Rolling Grants Programme

£400 – £300,000

Online application form
4 rounds a year
Multi-year funding

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 Sir James Knott Trust funds — and what they won't

Their stated priorities

Local organisations preferred; national charities must demonstrate exceptional additional value to the region. Faith organisations funded if activities open to all. Organisations with turnover >£3m only in exceptional circumstances.

Where they fund

NorthumberlandTyne and WearCounty DurhamHartlepool

Costs they'll cover

Core costsSalariesCapital works & buildingsProject delivery

They don't fund

ResearchIndividuals

The full exclusions list (1)

We do not fund activity which has already taken place

Good to know

FaithNo restriction

Focus areas

Children & youthDisabilityOlder peopleEducationCommunity

How to apply to Sir James Knott Trust

Sir James Knott Trust takes applications via online form.

Published programme route: online application form.
Decisions are typically three times yearly.
Check whether your charity is in scope before you spend time on a full bid.

How it works

1
Describe your project. Once — used for this funder and others.
2
See if this could be a fit. Honest check on cause, place, size, and rules.
3
Draft if yes. From your real data — or move on if not.

See if Sir James Knott Trust could be a fit. Draft if yes.

Frequently asked questions

How much funding does Sir James Knott Trust provide?

Sir James Knott Trust runs one grant programme — Rolling Grants Programme: £400 – £300,000.

Where does Sir James Knott Trust fund charities?

Sir James Knott Trust funds charities operating in Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, County Durham, Hartlepool.

Does Sir James Knott Trust accept unsolicited applications?

Sir James Knott Trust accepts unsolicited applications from eligible organisations. Current programme status is on this page — do not assume a round is open.

What does Sir James Knott Trust not fund?

Their published exclusions include: We do not fund activity which has already taken place. The full exclusions list is further up this page.

How do I apply for funding from Sir James Knott Trust?

Sir James Knott Trust takes applications via online form. Published programme route: online application form.