Community Grants Programme

Our Community Grants Programme focuses on sustaining health and wellbeing, and reducing inequalities.

The programme is made up of a number of funds managed on behalf of donors by the Foundation. It provides grants up to £5,000 and can support a broad range of projects. 

Who can apply? 

There are no limits to the size of organisation that can apply, however priority will go to those organisations that can evidence that they can deliver significant impact locally.  Geographically, the fund covers County Durham and Darlington. 

When to apply? 

There are no deadlines – applications can be made at any time. 

What type of funding can you apply for? 

Funding is available to continue existing work, start or extend projects tackling emerging needs, or support the running of organisations.  Organisations must demonstrate how their work will benefit one of the fund’s key themes. 

• Improve health and wellbeing 
• Reduce poverty and inequality 

• Support those impacted by family breakdown or domestic abuse 
• Remove barriers to digital access 
• Provide advice and support to people struggling to manage money   
• Improve opportunities for education, training and employment 
• Work within their community to address local needs in other ways to those listed above 

Green your grant: The Community Grants application form now contains an optional question, where you can tell us how you could use £500 to make your project greener. More details on this can be found here:

Further details are in the Grant Guidelines. Groups should read these carefully before applying. 

Groups should also read our general grant making criteria.  Click here to check that your organisation and activity or project for which you are seeking funding meets our criteria. 

Please contact a member of the Grants Team on  info@cdcf.org.uk if you have any questions or need help with your application. 

Important information for social enterprises including CICs. The eligibility criteria for social enterprises has recently been updated, please read the Grant Guidelines for full details before applying.