Maximum value £10,000
Application deadline 14/08/2023
Grants are available for voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector organisations in the North East of England that are committed to delivering real community benefits, such as tackling loneliness and accessing employment opportunities.
Further details
Background
The Bernicia Foundation was set up by Bernicia Homes, a company providing quality and affordable homes, and a range of services for people in the North East of England.
The aim of the Foundation is to support projects and initiatives that deliver real and lasting community benefit in the region where Bernicia operates, alongside helping inspirational young people to fulfil their potential.
Objectives of Fund
The funding is intended for projects and initiatives in the North East of England that deliver real and lasting community benefit.
Inclusion Grants: funding for initiatives that encourage social and economic inclusion.
Value Notes
The grant size depends on the type of grant:
Inclusion Grants are for between £5,000 and £10,000. Larger grants will be considered where the project demonstrates significant community value.
Who Can Apply
Applications for the Inclusion Grants Programme are accepted from the following organisations:
- Constituted voluntary or community organisations.
- Registered charities, including charitable companies.
To be eligible, organisations must:
- Be based or working in Tyne and Wear, Northumberland, County Durham and Teesside.
- Have an annual income under £750,000.
- Have no more than 6 months’ running costs in reserve.
- Have their own bank account.
- A governing document such as a constitution or articles of association.
- A governing body of at least three unrelated individuals
- Have a safeguarding policy in place (where working with vulnerable people or children).
Location
Tyne and Wear, Northumberland, County Durham and Teesside
Restrictions
The following are not eligible for funding:
- Organisations with an annual income of over £750,000.
- Organisations with unrestricted reserves that exceed 6 months running costs.
- Community Interest Companies (CICs), Cooperatives and other social enterprises that are not charities, except in very specific circumstances.
- Contributions to general appeals or circulars.
- Religious/political activity, which is not for the wider public benefit.
- Routine building or equipment repairs and maintenance.
- Activities that have already taken place/retrospective funding.
- Grant-making by other organisations/third-party funding.
- Privately owned and profit-distributing companies or limited partnerships.
- Projects and initiatives operating outside of the North East.
The Foundation does not normally support CICs and other non-charity enterprises with the costs of continuing services, which should be financed by the sale of goods and services in line with the government model they have chosen.
Inclusion Grants Programme
Funding for initiatives that help people who struggle to find opportunities and enable them to “find the right path”, regardless of their age, ability, or background.
The Foundations supports initiatives that encourage:
- Social inclusion:
- Reducing isolation and loneliness.
- Promoting independence.
- Building citizenship, confidence and aspiration.
- Economic inclusion:
- Removing barriers to employment, training and volunteering.
- Reducing child poverty.
- Tackling fuel poverty.
- Improving financial wellbeing.
The grants can be used for:
- Project costs.
- Purchasing small items of equipment like furniture and computers. Requests for larger capital funding will also be considered but must be backed up by a robust business case.
- A contribution to core costs (except for social enterprises), as long as it is clearly demonstrated that the organisation supports the objectives of the Inclusion or Inspiration Grants Programme.
Social enterprises cannot apply for grants to cover core costs but can apply for the charitable costs of starting up the enterprise, setting up to trade existing goods in a new market, or developing new goods and services to trade in line with a sound business plan.
How To Apply
The next deadline for applications is 14 August 2023.
Guidelines and the online application form are available on the website of the Bernicia Foundation.
Applications will not be accepted between funding rounds.
Documents & links
Contacts
For further information on how to obtain this fund, please contact the following:
- Enquiries
Bernicia Foundation, Oakwood Way, Ashwood Business Park, Ashington, Northumberland, NE63 0XF
Tel: 0344 800 3800
Email: foundation@berniciafoundation.com