Every year County Durham Community Foundation has worked with philanthropists to channel donations to small, local charities and individuals.
Whether grants are awarded to help those who are most vulnerable, improve health & wellbeing or keep communities safe, County Durham Community Foundation works to ensure every donation makes a real difference to the lives of disadvantaged people across County Durham and Darlington.
We work hard to understand local need and to award grants that support positive change in communities – but none of this would be possible without you.
£4,949,920
….awarded in grants
631
….groups supported
529
….individuals helped
£4,287,190
Good Health and Wellbeing, No Poverty, Reduced Inequalities, Zero Hunger
Shildon Alive cooks up a storm. People have been learning to cook hot and nutritious meals, thanks to a practical grant …
Read thisGood Health and Wellbeing, Reduced Inequalities
A boost to get Fighting Fit in Ferryhill. A small grant of £1008 has been awarded to Endeavour Woodcrafts to get fighti…
Read thisNo Poverty, Reduced Inequalities, Zero Hunger
“This is an amazing community. People are really generous.” A painting drawn by a volunteer summed up the project pe…
Read thisGood Health and Wellbeing, Reduced Inequalities
New sails for local lad James. A YOUNG sportsman will compete in the RS Feva World Championships, backed by a grant from…
Read thisNo Poverty, Reduced Inequalities, Sustainable Cities and Communities
Church project brings vital support to Easington. An Easington church project, helped by Foundation fund holder UMi, is …
Read thisGood Health and Wellbeing, Reduced Inequalities
Seaham youngsters proud of #iwill project. Seaham youngsters have been raising awareness of LGBTQ+ issues by creating an…
Read thisGood Health and Wellbeing, Reduced Inequalities
‘Lifeline’ for grieving children. County Durham Community Foundation has backed a local hospice with its out…
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EMG solicitors thrilled to help children walk and talk. Hundreds of local school children are being encouraged to get ac…
Read thisDecent Work and Economic Growth
Jack ‘wows’ through WorkFit project. Jack, 26, had wanted a job for a long time, but had only done voluntary…
Read thisNo Poverty, Strong Communities, Sustainable Cities and Communities, Zero Hunger
Local charity on track to deliver 10,000 food hampers this winter. To support local people this winter, please consider …
Read thisGood Health and Wellbeing, Reduced Inequalities, Sustainable Cities and Communities
Middlesbrough charity helps residents go from ‘plot to plate.’ Barefoot Kitchen has helped families grow the…
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Power of live music creates new memories for Houghton care home residents. Live music is bringing smiles, dancing and ha…
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Gateshead youngsters walk into wellbeing with new funding. A group that supports young adults has been awarded £5,000 t…
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Forest School helps Leadgate families thrive. Families placed under huge strain by school closures found some much-neede…
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Green-fingered volunteers create Hartlepool paradise. A gardening project is helping people in Hartlepool get green fing…
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EMG Solicitors visit Bowes Football Club. Through their EMG Community Fund, managed by County Durham Community Foundatio…
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A Brandon youth project is top of the class when it comes to helping young people. Brandon Carrside and Youth Project us…
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A wild welcome thanks to Foundation funding. Low Barnes Nature Reserve has created a warm welcome for the community as l…
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Charity Champ TEES recognised for work during pandemic. TEES Community Hub has been recognised for its outstanding eff…
Read thisPeace, Justice and Strong Institutions, Reduced Inequalities
IWD Day with Lisa Shaw and Isabel Owens Please note, this interview talks about the effects of rape and sexual abuse and…
Read thisNo Poverty, Strong Communities, Zero Hunger
Fighting poverty – with Linx Youth Project In February, we invited Sara Mirsalehi to talk to Peter Barron about Li…
Read thisGood Health and Wellbeing, Safety, Strong Communities
‘Blooming’ good idea to stop speeders wins PCVC support Villagers in Hunwick have come up with a bright and …
Read thisDecent Work and Economic Growth, Reduced Inequalities, Strong Communities
Six find work through employment project Funding of up to £10,000 is still available from the ESF Community Grant Progr…
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Zero hunger with Little Chefs Big Chefs Back in 2019, the Foundation paid a visit to Little Chefs Big Chefs Cooking Work…
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Street swords stay sharp with help from the Community Foundation and Darlington Borough Council funding. A North East sp…
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Shildon Alive fights food insecurity A community project which served 17,000 meals to the community last summer is conti…
Read thisDecent Work and Economic Growth, Quality Education
Learning Curve Group support survivors of domestic abuse. Thanks to a £2,500 grant from the Learning Curve Group, Cornf…
Read thisReduced Inequalities
Auckland Youth and Community Centre Find out how one Bishop Auckland youth centre is tackling holiday hunger and Zoom fa…
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One young musician, Connie, explains how the arts – specifically Jack Drum Arts – opened a door to friendship,…
Read thisStrong Communities
This Remembrance Day, we turn the spotlight on a group that has gone the extra mile when it comes to supporting veterans…
Read thisReduced Inequalities
Helping Hartlepool families Though times are tough for Hartlepool families, one community centre is going all out to sup…
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Golden friendships at Durham boxing club Since 2013, County Durham Community Foundation has supported Brandon Boxing Clu…
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Neonatal support for North East families A North East charity has created a ground-breaking support pathway – the fir…
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A better future for Stanley A project to help people heal from the effects of Coronavirus is preparing to launch in the …
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Hartlepool centre brings a positive difference Ann Heaton and her team took on Kilmarnock Road Children and Young P…
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Life-saving mental health support for men in County Durham and Darlington. A life-saving CIC that supports men with thei…
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How it all began Hartlepool project rallies community. The Big League sprang into action when the pandemic struck. I…
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How it all began REfUSE started out in Chester-le-Street two years ago, with a mission to end shocking levels of fo…
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How it all began The Spectrum Spartans are the only rink hockey club in County Durham, with the next nearest offering in…
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A young carer has found support with her mental health through a surprising request. How it all began Isabelle* is 11-ye…
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A GATESHEAD project funded by a £10,000 Tampon Tax grant is helping North East women move beyond domestic abuse. The Em…
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THE strength of women in Stockton is celebrated in a new book. Thrive Teesside were awarded almost £10,000 of Tampon Ta…
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How it all began In the dark, drizzle and gloom, a young man carefully dribbles a football between plastic cones before …
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How it all began Formerly Newton Aycliffe Mind, the charity went solo in October 2015 under their new name – The H…
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How it all began Holly, who has been trampolining since the age of six is now jumping for joy after winning her first go…
Read thisDecent Work and Economic Growth, Reduced Inequalities, Sustainable Cities and Communities
How it all began Val Hutchinson and her husband, Joe, founded the lively café for their son, John, and his best friend,…
Read thisGood Health and Wellbeing, No Poverty, Zero Hunger
How it all began Little Chefs Big Chefs CIC was formed in May 2016 to encourage children and families to eat healthily b…
Read thisNo Poverty, Reduced Inequalities, Sustainable Cities and Communities, Zero Hunger
How it all began PACT house, in Stanley, was set up to be a one-stop shop for local people looking for practical and emo…
Read thisDecent Work and Economic Growth, Quality Education, Sustainable Cities and Communities
How it all began A project called ‘The Junk Fashion’ was setup for young people aged 10-20 to up-cycle waste materia…
Read thisDecent Work and Economic Growth, Reduced Inequalities, Sustainable Cities and Communities
How it all began Bullion Hall wanted a hub and a safe place for the Syrian refugee households in their neighbourhood, no…
Read thisDecent Work and Economic Growth, Reduced Inequalities
How it all began The Wheels to Work project hires out scooters to individuals living in parts of County Durham who other…
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How it all began Tia never used to run as a child, as she had bad legs and had operations on them when she was eight. Wh…
Read thisReduced Inequalities
How it all began Tia lives in Darlington with her family and has attended The Rydal Academy since 2012. Tia has Cerebral…
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If U Care Share – suicide prevention How it all began Daniel O’Hare was 19 years old when he died by suicide. …
Read thisGood Health and Wellbeing, Reduced Inequalities
How it all began Digital Voice for Communities are a CIC who operate across the North East offering a range of digital…
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How it all began This project addressed a need for more community activity in Dipton, a rural village that many remember…
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How it all began Hartlepool United Community Sports Foundation use the power of sport and the name of Hartlepool United …
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How it all began Durham Wildlife Trust manages 36 nature reserves from the Tees to the Tyne, encompassing ancient woodla…
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How it all began Brandon Table Tennis Club which was established in 2013, has grown and developed to the point that it n…
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How it all began As part of the rebuilding program Durham City Football Club announced that they have now adopted an exi…
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How it all began Jake was born with Lebers Congenital Amaurosis, which means he has virtually no sight in his right eye…
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How it all began South Park, in Darlington, is a beautiful Victorian Park on the A167 road heading south from the town c…
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How it all began Brandon is 15 years old, both his parents are disabled and his sister Lyndsey has profound cerebral p…
Read thisGood Health and Wellbeing, No Poverty, Zero Hunger
Sadly, not all of our grant recipients are in a position to speak publicly about how our fantastic donors have helped th…
Read thisGood Health and Wellbeing, Quality Education, Sustainable Cities and Communities
Many of our supporters choose to donate through us anonymously, entrusting us to direct their giving on their behalf. Ev…
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A trio of Darlington friends have launched a project to try to ease the trauma of miscarriage. Abra Wood, Avryl Taylor a…
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County Durham Community Foundation