Northumberland Community Chest

Quick Stats

• Annual Budget: £300,000 (distributed across five committee areas)
• Grant Range: No minimum - £5,000 (up to £10,000 for county-wide projects)
• Funding Coverage: Up to 75% of project costs (or 90% in some documentation)
• Geographic Focus: Northumberland County
• Application Method: Rolling basis with funding rounds
• Decision Time: Quick turnaround reported by recipients

Contact Details

Email: communitychest@northumberland.gov.uk

Website: https://www.northumberland.gov.uk/Councillors/Community-Chest

Application Portal: Online application form available on website; paper forms also accepted

Overview

The Northumberland Community Chest is a grant scheme administered by Northumberland County Council, established to support community groups and voluntary organizations delivering activities that contribute to the Council's ambition for Northumberland. While technically a local authority funding program rather than a registered charity, it operates as an active grant-making scheme with a public application process. The scheme has a total annual budget of £300,000, distributed across the county's five Local Area Committees (North Northumberland, Tynedale, Castle Morpeth, Cramlington/Bedlington/Seaton Valley, and Ashington/Blyth) on a per-capita population basis. The scheme gained particular prominence during Covid-19 recovery efforts and continues to support a wide range of community initiatives.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Main Community Chest Grant

• Amount: Up to £5,000 per project (no minimum)
• Funding Coverage: Up to 75% of actual project costs (applicants must secure remaining 25%)
• Maximum for County-Wide Projects: Up to £10,000
• Application Method: Rolling basis with regular funding rounds throughout the year

Youth Ambition Grants

• Amount: Up to £200 for young people under 18
• Purpose: Support young people in pursuing particular ambitions
• Requirement: Must be submitted by an accountable body (sports club, scouts/guides, community group, charity, or school)

Priority Areas

The scheme supports projects that:

• Enhance the local environment
• Promote health and wellbeing
• Support youth initiatives and sports groups
• Strengthen community cohesion
• Contribute to community recovery and resilience
• Benefit local communities across Northumberland

What They Don't Fund

• Lower priority given to groups who have received a Community Chest grant in the past two years
• Lower priority for projects similar to those funded in previous years for the same organization
• Maximum of two grants per year per organization
• Projects requiring more than 75% funding (applicants must demonstrate 25% match funding from own or other sources)

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Governance and Leadership

The Community Chest scheme is managed through Northumberland County Council's five Local Area Committees, which make decisions on applications within their respective geographic areas:

1. North Northumberland Local Area Committee
2. Tynedale Local Area Committee
3. Castle Morpeth Local Area Committee
4. Cramlington, Bedlington and Seaton Valley Local Area Committee
5. Ashington and Blyth Local Area Committee

Each committee determines applications for grant aid from their allocated Community Chest budget, based on the population of their area.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Application Methods:

• Online application form via the Council website (preferred method)
• Paper application form available for download and postal submission to County Hall

Application Requirements:

• Must be submitted by an accountable body (sports club, scouts/guides, constituted community group, local charity, or school)
• Application must demonstrate how the project benefits the community
• Evidence of match funding (minimum 25% of total costs from other sources)
• Completion form and copies of receipts required after project completion

Application Rounds: The scheme operates on a rolling basis with regular funding rounds. Money is awarded in rounds or until budgets are fully allocated. When a budget area is fully allocated, no further grants are made in that financial year.

The application process has been designed to be “as quick and simple as possible” according to the Council, with successful applicants describing it as “very easy” and “very simple.”

Decision Timeline

While specific decision timeframes are not officially published, feedback from grant recipients indicates “the decision was made pretty quickly.” Applications are reviewed by Local Area Committees, which meet regularly throughout the year.

Success Rates

No official success rate statistics are published by Northumberland County Council for the Community Chest scheme.

Reapplication Policy

• No more than two grants per year per organization are allowed
• Lower priority is given to groups who have received a Community Chest grant in the past two years
• Previous grant recipients can reapply but may face stronger competition
• Organizations applying for projects similar to previous years receive lower priority

Application Success Factors

What the Funder Values

Alignment with Council Priorities: Applications that clearly demonstrate contribution to Northumberland County Council's ambitions for the county are prioritized.

New or Innovative Projects: The scheme gives lower priority to repeat applications for similar projects, suggesting they value fresh initiatives and innovation.

Financial Planning: Demonstrating that you have secured or can secure the required 25% match funding strengthens your application.

Community Benefit: Clear articulation of how the project benefits the local community and meets identified needs.

Examples of Funded Projects

Recent Community Chest grants have supported:

• Nature Trail Project: Interactive nature trail with 16 posts featuring QR codes providing information about local species (red squirrel, red fox, roe deer, buzzard)
• Vision Northumberland Community Cafe: Facility to help users regain confidence after Covid-19 lockdowns
• Morpeth Repair Shed: Space for all ages to learn new skills and repair household items
• BID Services Resource Hub: Support for clients who are D/deaf, hard of hearing, visually impaired or deafblind

These examples demonstrate the scheme's support for environmental education, community health and wellbeing, skills development, and accessibility initiatives.

Application Tips

1. Apply Early in the Funding Cycle: Since money is awarded until budgets are fully allocated, applying early in each round increases your chances before funds run out.

1. First-Time Applicants: Organizations applying for the first time may have an advantage, as lower priority is given to recent recipients.

1. Demonstrate Innovation: Projects that differ from what you've done before are more likely to succeed than repetitions of previous work.

1. Keep It Simple: The application process is designed to be straightforward—don't overcomplicate your proposal.

1. Show Match Funding: Be prepared to demonstrate you can secure the required 25% match funding from other sources.

1. Complete Follow-Up Requirements: Remember that you'll need to submit a completion form and receipts after your project finishes—factor this administrative requirement into your planning.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Rolling opportunity with limited funds: Apply early in funding rounds as money is allocated until budgets are exhausted—late applications may find funds depleted

• Simple application process: The Council has deliberately made applications “quick and simple”—don't overthink it, focus on clear communication of community benefit

• Match funding is essential: Secure your 25% match funding before applying, as the scheme typically covers a maximum of 75% of costs

• Geographic allocation matters: Understand which Local Area Committee covers your project area, as budgets are distributed by population across five committees

• Repeat applications face challenges: If you've received funding in the past two years or are proposing similar projects to previous work, expect lower priority—consider new initiatives

• Quick decisions reported: While not officially documented, recipients report fast decision-making, so don't expect long waiting periods

• Future uncertainty: Note that the 2025-26 scheme is under review due to budget reductions—check the website for updates expected in late July 2025

References

1. Northumberland County Council - Community Chest main page: https://www.northumberland.gov.uk/Councillors/Community-Chest.aspx

1. Northumberland County Council - Grants & Funding section: https://www.northumberland.gov.uk/Business/Grants/Grants-Funding.aspx

1. “Northumberland parish councils now eligible for £300,000 community grant scheme” - Northumberland Gazette, December 2020

1. “Northumberland County Council community chest scheme funding” - Hexham Courant, December 2024

1. “Northumberland County Council encourages applications for grants up to £5000 with community chest scheme” - Northumberland Gazette, October 2024

1. Northumberland County Council - Community grant scheme open for applications, June 2021

1. Northumberland County Council - January deadline for community grant applications, December 2024

1. Community Chest Scheme 2021 Guidance and Conditions document: https://www.northumberland.gov.uk/NorthumberlandCountyCouncil/media/Business/Grants%20and%20funding/Guidance-and-conditions_1.pdf