William Leech Charity

Could William Leech Charity fund your project? Check fit free. Draft if yes — or shortlist better matches.

Typical grants: £2,000 – £20,000
Where they fund: Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, County Durham, developing countries
Applications: Accepted
How to apply: Online form
Decisions: Quarterly

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

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williamleechcharity.org.uk

About William Leech Charity

The William Leech Charity is an independent grant- and loan-making trust established by North East housebuilder and philanthropist Sir William Leech. Rooted in values of compassion, integrity, inclusivity, collaboration, and sustainability, the Trust supports UK-registered charities addressing local needs in the North East of England and select international projects. They fund projects with clear community impact, volunteer-led initiatives, and innovative charitable activities where the grant will have a significant and measurable effect. The Trust supports charities based in or benefiting Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, and County Durham, with a strong preference for small- to medium-sized organisations. Their main fund is unrestricted and open to applications from registered UK charities on a rolling basis. The Lady Leech Fund uniquely extends support to charities helping disadvantaged children in developing countries, provided there is a North East connection. The William Leech Charity is distinctive for its blend of local legacy-building, resilience-focused loans, and global reach with regional ties.

What William Leech Charity funds

The charity funds projects with clear community impact, volunteer-led initiatives, and innovative charitable activities where the grant will have a significant and measurable effect. Through its loan programme, it supports capital projects, often but not exclusively churches, and organisations facing unexpected financial crises that are able to repay. The Lady Leech Fund supports projects helping disadvantaged children in developing countries, with a personal connection to the North East. All funding is focused on charities based in or benefiting Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, and County Durham, with the Lady Leech Fund extending to international work where there is a North East link.

Who can apply

UK-registered charities based in the North East of England or those with a significant connection to the region can apply. The charity has a strong preference for small- to medium-sized organisations. The Lady Leech Fund is open to charities based in the North East that are working with disadvantaged children in developing countries, ideally with someone connected to the North East involved in the overseas project. Individuals are not supported.

How they like to fund

The charity offers both grants and interest-free loans. Loans are available with repayment terms of up to five years. The main fund is unrestricted and open to applications on a rolling basis. The Lady Leech Fund supports projects helping disadvantaged children in developing countries, provided there is a North East connection. Unsolicited applications are welcomed.

How much does William Leech Charity give?

William Leech Charity runs 3 grant programmes. Every figure below is sourced from their published guidance.

£2,000 – £20,000

Last verified 8 August 2026 · 25 sourced facts

GrantsRolling applications

Online portal

Lady Leech FundRolling applications

Online portal

LoansRolling applications

Online portal
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 William Leech Charity funds — and what they won't

Their stated priorities

Projects with clear community impact; volunteer-led projects; innovative and effective charitable activities; projects where the grant will have a significant and measurable impact.

Where they fund

NorthumberlandTyne and WearCounty Durhamdeveloping countries

Costs they'll cover

Project delivery

They don't fund

Core costsIndividuals

Good to know

FaithNo restriction

Focus areas

EducationHealthMental healthPoverty & hardshipCommunity

How to apply to William Leech Charity

William Leech Charity takes applications via online form.

Published programme route: online portal.
Decisions are typically quarterly.
Check whether your charity is in scope before you spend time on a full bid.

What William Leech Charity's application asks

We hold the 8 questions from William Leech Charity's application form, word for word — so you know exactly what you're signing up to answer.

Question 1

“A description of the project, whom it hopes to help, and why it is important.”

Question 2

“How much the project will cost (capital and revenue, with an indication of the amounts involved)”

6 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 William Leech Charity could be a fit. Draft if yes.

Frequently asked questions

How much funding does William Leech Charity provide?

William Leech Charity typically provides grants of £2,000 - £20,000.

Where does William Leech Charity fund charities?

William Leech Charity funds charities operating in Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, County Durham, developing countries.

Does William Leech Charity accept unsolicited applications?

William Leech Charity accepts unsolicited applications from eligible organisations. Current programme status is on this page — do not assume a round is open.

How do I apply for funding from William Leech Charity?

William Leech Charity takes applications via online form. Published programme route: online portal.