Ray Wind Farm Fund

Charity Number: CUSTOM_9CC0CE31

Annual Expenditure: £0.3M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £250,000+ (index-linked)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Board meets up to 6 times annually
  • Grant Range: £500 - £10,000+ (larger amounts considered)
  • Geographic Focus: 10km radius of Ray Wind Farm, Northumberland (parishes of Bavington, Birtley, Corsenside, Elsdon, Kirkwhelpington, Otterburn)

Contact Details

Community Development Officer: Joanne Willis

Address: East Todholes, Elsdon, NE19 1BS

Email: admin@raywindfund.co.uk

Phone: 07762 179579

Website: http://www.raywindfund.co.uk

For pre-application advice, applicants are encouraged to contact the administrator, who may redirect enquiries to the relevant Ray Wind Funds Director for specialized support.

Overview

The Ray Wind Farm Fund was established in 2018 by Vattenfall, the Swedish energy company operating the Ray Wind Farm on the Ray Estate in Northumberland. The 16-turbine wind farm generates 54.4 megawatts of electricity to the National Grid. The fund is administered by an independent Community Interest Company (CIC) and distributes £5,000 per megawatt of generated output annually (index-linked), totaling more than £250,000 per year for the operational life of the wind farm until at least 2043. The fund operates with a clear commitment to rural community benefit, supporting projects that deliver tangible improvements to the quality of life for residents living within 10km of the wind farm. Since its inception, the fund has supported a diverse range of projects from infrastructure improvements and business development to education, environmental conservation, and community facilities.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

1. Community Benefit Fund (CBF)

  • Amount: £500 - £10,000 (larger amounts considered for strategic projects)
  • Eligibility: Charities, businesses, and community organisations
  • Application: Two-stage process starting with an enquiry form; applications over £10,000 or with long-term strategic significance require enhanced two-stage dialogue
  • Decision: Board considers applications up to six times annually
  • Use: Project costs, equipment, capital developments, and may include running costs for new, continuing, or one-off initiatives

2. Small Donations Fund (SDF)

  • Amount: Up to £500 per grant year
  • Eligibility: Local groups and organisations
  • Allocation: £1,200 annually per represented parish; £2,800 for non-represented parishes within catchment
  • Application: Simplified application process via enquiry form; parish director recommendation leads to board approval and rapid payment
  • Use: Children's events, senior trips, materials, small local initiatives

3. Education Apprenticeship & Training Bursary (EAT)

  • Eligibility: Individuals aged 16+ seeking employability improvement, career development, apprenticeships, and training at all levels; micro and small businesses creating or retaining employment
  • Purpose: Support further education, skills development, and local employment opportunities

4. Legacy Fund

  • Purpose: Designed to sustain community benefit beyond the operational life of the wind farm
  • Details: Limited public information on specific criteria

Priority Areas

Applications should address one or more of the following strategic themes:

  • Community services and facilities: Village halls, church buildings, IT infrastructure improvements
  • Rural regeneration: Broadband connectivity, transport infrastructure, employment creation, housing
  • Sports, culture, and events: Access to recreational activities, cultural programming, community events
  • Environmental enhancement: Nature trails, wildlife protection, waterway restoration
  • Cultural and historical heritage: Projects celebrating and preserving local heritage
  • Economic development: Supporting new and existing local businesses that increase employment opportunities
  • Quality of life improvements: Youth training, sports programs, apprenticeships

What They Don't Fund

The fund explicitly excludes:

  • General appeals or fundraising events
  • Activities exclusively promoting religious or political causes
  • Projects solely focused on animal welfare
  • Statutory obligations of public bodies that should receive public funding
  • Projects primarily benefiting residents outside the catchment area
  • Retroactive funding for costs already incurred
  • Grant-making organizations
  • Profit-distributing companies
  • Loan or debt repayment
  • Activities that conflict with Vattenfall's interests or could damage Vattenfall's or the Community Foundation's reputation
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Governance and Leadership

The Ray Windfarm Fund Community Interest Company (CIC) is a company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 11 August 2017 (Company Number: 10910895). The registered office is located at One Strawberry Lane, First Floor, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 4BX.

Board Structure

The Board of Directors consists of 13 members:

  • One representative from each of the six parish councils (Bavington, Birtley, Corsenside, Elsdon, Kirkwhelpington, Otterburn)
  • Seven lay members appointed from within the parishes

Directors serve three-year renewable terms. The CIC is accountable to Vattenfall but operates independently. The board also includes one active secretary.

Community Development Officer: Joanne Willis oversees day-to-day administration and serves as the primary contact for applicants.

Partnership Administration

The Community Foundation Tyne and Wear administers the Small Grants Programme (SGP) on behalf of Vattenfall, while the Ray Windfarm Fund CIC administers the Local Initiatives Fund (LIF) and Legacy Fund by agreement with Vattenfall.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

  1. Initial Contact: Register and submit a Preliminary Enquiry Form via the online portal at raywindfund.co.uk or contact the administrator
  2. Acknowledgement: Applicants receive acknowledgement within 10 days
  3. Director Consultation: Enquiries may be redirected to a specialist Ray Wind Funds Director for tailored advice
  4. Formal Application: Following initial approval of enquiry, applicants are invited to submit formal application
  5. Board Review: The board considers applications up to six times annually

For Projects Over £10,000: A more detailed two-stage process applies to help promoters receive early “in principle” guidance, establish constructive dialogue, and potentially receive interim support tailored to the project.

Decision Timeline

  • Acknowledgement: Within 10 days of enquiry submission
  • Board Meetings: Up to 6 times per year
  • Small Donations Fund: Rapid payment following parish director recommendation and board approval

Specific decision timelines vary depending on the timing of board meetings and complexity of applications.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. However, the fund has distributed over £250,000 annually since 2018, supporting a wide range of projects across the catchment area.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policy for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly available. Applicants seeking clarification should contact the administrator at admin@raywindfund.co.uk or call 07762 179579.

Application Success Factors

Building a Strong Case

According to the fund's guidance: “Whatever you are seeking funding for must have a strong case for support, which means being able to explain what you will do with the grant, who will benefit and how you know the work will make a difference to the intended beneficiaries or cause.”

Recent Successful Projects

The fund has supported diverse projects including:

  • Primary and First Schools: Increased support to all schools in the area during the cost-of-living crisis
  • Northumberland Wildlife Trust: Funding for a red squirrel conservation ranger for one year
  • Wark Recreational Charity: New roof installation
  • B4RN: £66,000 grant for gigabit connectivity to Barrasford with potential for additional funding (2024)
  • Corsenside Parish Show: £2,000 to support the traditional village show in its 145th year
  • Northumberland National Park Mountain Rescue Team: Safety equipment and operational support
  • Scots Gap Doctors Surgery: Modular building construction
  • Otterburn Mill: Flood defences
  • Local Businesses: Dog grooming service improvements, tourism business start-ups, driving instructor start-up
  • Village Infrastructure: Playground upgrades, forest school equipment, music and play equipment for youth clubs
  • Community Transport: Transport infrastructure improvements
  • Community Art Classes: Tutors for local art programs
  • COVID-19 Recovery: Business survival grants during the pandemic

Application Tips

  1. Contact Early: Pre-application advice is actively encouraged. The administrator can redirect you to specialist directors for tailored support
  2. Demonstrate Community Benefit: Clearly articulate tangible benefits to communities in the area and explain how you'll measure impact
  3. Strategic Alignment: Link projects to the fund's priority themes (community facilities, rural regeneration, environment, heritage, economic development)
  4. Geographic Relevance: Ensure your project serves residents within the eligible parishes or 10km radius
  5. Collaborative Approach: The fund values dialogue, particularly for larger or strategic projects
  6. Comprehensive Planning: For complex projects, be prepared for interim support and staged funding
  7. Multiple Funding Sources: Successful applicants often secure funding from diverse sources (as demonstrated by the Otterburn Mill tenter frames restoration)

Language and Terminology

The fund emphasizes:

  • “Tangible community benefit”
  • “Relevant to the needs of the communities”
  • “Strong case for support”
  • “Make a difference to intended beneficiaries”

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Long-Term Commitment: The fund operates until at least 2043, providing sustained support to local communities with significant annual resources (£250,000+)
  • Pre-Application Support is Key: Take advantage of free advice from the administrator and specialist directors before submitting formal applications
  • Geographic Boundaries Matter: Ensure your project clearly serves eligible parishes (Bavington, Birtley, Corsenside, Elsdon, Kirkwhelpington, Otterburn) or falls within 10km of the wind farm
  • Demonstrate Measurable Impact: Build a compelling case showing what you'll do, who benefits, and how you'll measure success
  • Flexibility on Grant Size: While the standard range is £500-£10,000, larger amounts are considered for strategic projects—don't self-limit if you have a strong case
  • Diverse Portfolio: The fund supports an unusually broad range of applicants including charities, businesses, community organisations, and individuals (via EAT Bursary)
  • Simplified Process for Small Grants: For requests under £500, use the streamlined Small Donations Fund with rapid turnaround
  • Strategic Projects Get Enhanced Support: Larger applications benefit from a two-stage dialogue process with interim support opportunities

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