Point North Community Foundation
About This Funder
Point North Community Foundation, formerly County Durham Community Foundation and established in 1995 by Sir Paul Nicholson and David Grant, is an accredited community foundation serving County Durham, Tees Valley, and the wider North East of England. Inspired by the US model, it promotes lasting charitable giving to fight poverty and enrich lives, enabling full, healthy opportunities for all through values of fairness, opportunity, community collaboration, and sustainability. As a donor-driven funder and IVAR Flexible Funders signatory, it emphasises trust-based practices, transparency via 360Giving data, and hands-on applicant support, having distributed over £70.8 million since inception, including £7 million in 2023/24 to benefit nearly a million people.
It prioritises five UN SDG-aligned themes: fighting poverty (e.g., food/fuel aid), health and wellbeing (physical/mental), reducing inequalities (disadvantaged groups/geographies), community support (grassroots/place-based), and youth development (employability, education). Grants fund projects like foodbanks, community centres, sports for disabled youth, mental health initiatives, arts inclusion, elderly befriending, and skills training, alongside core costs, small capital items, capacity building, and staff/volunteer training for tangible community benefits.
Eligible applicants include UK-registered charities, CICs, social enterprises, and constituted community groups with robust governance, community engagement, evidenced need, and value for money; no strict income limits but preference for modest-sized, locally embedded organisations demonstrating financial need. Primary focus is North East projects, with some funds area-specific.
Typical grants range £2,000–£10,000. Unsolicited applications via the Plinth online portal for specific programmes (check website for guidelines/deadlines, e.g., Public Health Thriving Together Fund closes 23 November 2025); decisions within 12 weeks. Excludes major capital, primarily religious activities (unless broader benefit), and organisations with substantial unrestricted reserves.
Frequently Asked Questions about Point North Community Foundation
How much funding does Point North Community Foundation provide?
Point North Community Foundation typically provides grants ranging from £2,000 - £10,000.
Is Point North Community Foundation accepting applications?
Yes, Point North Community Foundation is currently open to applications from eligible charities.
Where does Point North Community Foundation fund charities?
Point North Community Foundation funds charities operating in County Durham, Tees Valley, North East of England.
How do I apply for funding from Point North Community Foundation?
Use Fundermatcher to check if your charity is a good match for Point North Community Foundation, then access detailed application guidance, deadlines, and eligibility criteria. Our AI assistant can help you draft a compelling application.