Big changes start locally

North East Fund

Making big changes happen locally

We want to hear from community organisations working to promote long-term change in the most deprived neighbourhoods in the North East of England. We all know that local knowledge is vital to the success of any new idea and that the support of the local community is key to its future impact.

We would like to encourage applications from voluntary organisations working within their local neighbourhood to:

  • Help disadvantaged young people to find and keep a job. While we understand the value of programmes that work with young people to make them work ready, we are only funding applications that move young people into sustainable employment and, as a result, applications will be judged on the numbers of young people that gain employment.
  • Help homeless people or people at risk of homelessness to find a new home. We are interested in supporting applications from organisations working to increase access to affordable, good quality, rented properties.
  • Create and support community and social enterprise. Proposals will be assessed for their innovation, enterprising behaviour and job creation.

Our grants can be anything between £10,000 and £50,000. Grant awards are to cover running costs (not capital costs) and are for one year only. In addition, funds cannot be used to cover marketing costs for example to pay for advertising or promotional activity.

When can you apply?

You can apply for a grant from the 4th May 2017 and the fund will close when all funds have been committed. As the closing date will therefore be determined by the number and quality of applications received, we encourage organisations to submit their application as soon as they are ready, and they will be considered in date order.

Can my organisation apply to the North East Fund?

We expect to get applications from Charities, Social Enterprises, Community Interest Companies and Industrial and Provident Societies.

We can fund non-charitable organisations and groups as long as the work itself has charitable purposes and there is no private benefit to non-charitable interests.

We are unlikely to fund national programmes that are not already “rooted” in a deprived community in the North East.

A successful applicant will need to demonstrate that:

  • Your organisation is strongly rooted in your local community.
  • The work you propose to do is charitable.
  • What you plan to do will make a real and measurable impact in a deprived community.
  • You have systems in place to measure this impact.
  • And you have plans in place for when the money comes to an end.

What isn't eligible

What is the application process?

Applying for a grant from the Virgin Money Foundation is a straightforward process. You will need to complete a short application form. This will allow us to understand quickly what you are planning to do.

Shortlisted applications will then be assessed; this may involve a visit or a telephone call with a member of the Foundation team.

Eligibility checklist


The information you provide to us may be used in a number of ways, for example to assess and process your application, to keep in touch with you, to prevent fraud and money laundering.

Eligible to apply?

Not eligible for Virgin Money Foundation support?

From other Virgin Group initiatives to alternative funding options, there's more than one way to get your idea off the ground.

Other ways to get support

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