Sir Tom Cowie Charitable Trust

Could Sir Tom Cowie Charitable Trust fund your project? Check fit free. Draft if yes — or shortlist better matches.

Typical grants: £7,800 – £7,800
Where they fund: Sunderland, County Durham
Applications: Accepted
How to apply: Online form

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

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About Sir Tom Cowie Charitable Trust

The Sir Tom Cowie Charitable Trust is a grant-making charity that supports smaller organisations offering direct services to communities in Sunderland and County Durham. The trustees are particularly interested in projects that benefit disadvantaged young people, as well as those linking people to the rural and natural environment. The Trust also funds work in heritage conservation and wildlife protection. Their funding character is rooted in a preference for grassroots, local charities that provide tangible, direct support to their communities.

What Sir Tom Cowie Charitable Trust funds

The Trust funds projects in three main areas: youth development, environment and conservation, and heritage. They support direct services such as youth work, outdoor activities, and environmental education. Specific priorities include projects that link people to the rural and natural environment, conserve historic buildings, and protect wildlife and threatened species. All funded work must take place within Sunderland and County Durham, with a focus on smaller organisations delivering direct benefits to local communities.

Who can apply

Registered charities and community groups based in or serving Sunderland and County Durham are eligible to apply. The Trust particularly welcomes applications from smaller organisations that offer direct services to disadvantaged young people and rural communities. Individuals and Community Interest Companies are not eligible for funding under the main grant programme.

What Sir Tom Cowie Charitable Trust doesn't fund

The Trust does not fund individuals, Community Interest Companies, or projects within the Borough of Darlington. National and international charities seeking partial funding for large projects are also excluded. Applications for work outside Sunderland and County Durham will not be considered.

How they like to fund

The Trust welcomes unsolicited applications from eligible organisations. They provide grants to support direct service delivery and project costs, with a focus on smaller, local charities.

How much does Sir Tom Cowie Charitable Trust give?

Sir Tom Cowie Charitable Trust runs 2 grant programmes. Every figure below is sourced from their published guidance.

Last verified 8 August 2026 · 20 sourced facts

Main Grant ProgrammeOpen to applications

Online application form

Sir Tom Cowie Sunderland AwardCurrently closed

£12,500 – £12,500

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 Tom Cowie Charitable Trust funds — and what they won't

Their stated priorities

The Trust supports smaller organisations offering direct services in Sunderland and County Durham, especially those benefiting disadvantaged young people. Also supports projects linking people to the rural/natural environment, conserving historic buildings, and protecting wildlife/threatened species.

Where they fund

SunderlandCounty Durham

They don't fund

IndividualsCommunity interest company

The full exclusions list (3)

Projects within the Borough of Darlington
National and International Charities seeking partial funding for large projects
Students must be full-time, at end of penultimate year, on track for first or upper 2:1, studying specific subjects only.

Good to know

FaithNo restriction

Focus areas

Children & youthEducationEnvironment

How to apply to Sir Tom Cowie Charitable Trust

Sir Tom Cowie Charitable Trust takes applications via online form.

Published programme route: online application form.
Check whether your charity is in scope before you spend time on a full bid.

What Sir Tom Cowie Charitable Trust's application asks

We hold the 21 questions from Sir Tom Cowie Charitable Trust's application form, word for word — so you know exactly what you're signing up to answer.

Question 1

“Organisation Name *”

Question 2

“Registered Charity No”

19 more questions from their form, plus answers drafted from your charity's real data if you decide to apply.

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 Tom Cowie Charitable Trust could be a fit. Draft if yes.

Frequently asked questions

How much funding does Sir Tom Cowie Charitable Trust provide?

Sir Tom Cowie Charitable Trust runs 2 grant programmes — Sir Tom Cowie Sunderland Award: £12,500 – £12,500.

Where does Sir Tom Cowie Charitable Trust fund charities?

Sir Tom Cowie Charitable Trust funds charities operating in Sunderland, County Durham.

Does Sir Tom Cowie Charitable Trust accept unsolicited applications?

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

What does Sir Tom Cowie Charitable Trust not fund?

Their published exclusions include: Projects within the Borough of Darlington; National and International Charities seeking partial funding for large projects; Students must be full-time, at end of penultimate year, on track for first or upper 2:1, studying specific subjects only.. The full exclusions list is further up this page.

How do I apply for funding from Sir Tom Cowie Charitable Trust?

Sir Tom Cowie Charitable Trust takes applications via online form. Published programme route: online application form.