Celebrating 10 years and £2 million of community impact

More than £2 million has now been invested into local charities and grassroots organisations through the Newcastle Building Society Community Fund, marking a significant milestone as the fund celebrates its tenth anniversary.

Over the past decade, the Newcastle Building Society Community Fund at Community Foundation North East has awarded 534 grants worth more than £2 million, helping local charities and grassroots organisations make a lasting difference in communities across the North East, Cumbria and North Yorkshire.

The milestone was celebrated at a special event held at Café 16 in Newcastle Cathedral, bringing together some of the organisations and individuals whose projects have been supported through the fund over the last ten years.

As the fund enters its second decade, applications are now open for new grants of up to £2,500, offering local charities and community groups the opportunity to turn great ideas into positive action in the areas they know best.

Funding is focused on five key themes that matter most to the region's communities: sustainability and the environment, work and opportunity, homelessness, debt management and food poverty.

The event was hosted at Café 16, run by The Oswin Project, which helps people with criminal records to access employment, training and support. It is just one of the many organisations to have benefited from community funding over the years. Alongside the Community Fund, Newcastle Building Society has built long-standing partnerships with organisations including the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, Citizen's Advice Gateshead and Newcastle United Foundation, helping to create opportunities and tackle inequalities across the region.

Andrew Haigh, Chief Executive at Newcastle Building Society, said:

“As we mark these twin milestones, our focus remains firmly on tackling some of the most pressing issues facing communities across the region and on supporting the grassroots organisations that are making a difference within them every day.

“Over the last ten years, our partnership with Community Foundation North East has helped us reach a wide range of organisations that are working to address challenges, create opportunities and improve lives across our heartland area, and we hear so much about the positive impact that this funding is having on their work.”

Since its launch, the fund has supported hundreds of projects addressing local needs, with funding evolving over time to respond to changing community priorities and emerging social challenges.

Andrew added:

“We’re proud to have been able to support hundreds of fantastic projects over the last ten years, and we’re always keen to hear new ideas about how this funding might be used to help tackle existing and emerging community priorities.

“As the Fund enters its second decade, we remain wholly committed to investing in local organisations, tackling inequalities and helping to build stronger, more resilient communities.”

Su Legg, Senior Philanthropy Advisor at Community Foundation North East, said:

“Reaching ten years and more than £2 million in grants is a fantastic milestone for the Newcastle Building Society Community Fund. Over the past decade, we've seen first-hand the difference this funding makes to local organisations and the people they support.

“The Society is an excellent example of a local business giving back to the people and communities it works in. The fund has evolved over the years to respond to the changing needs of our region, from tackling food poverty and homelessness to creating opportunities for people facing disadvantage.

“We're incredibly proud of what we've achieved together and look forward to continuing our partnership, supporting local charities and helping communities thrive for many years to come.”

The Newcastle Building Society Community Fund at Community Foundation North East is open to local charities and community organisations. Applicants do not need to be Newcastle Building Society members to apply.

To learn more about available funding and how to apply, visit our Community Grant Funding page.