Significance (the Fr Dermott Donnelly Foundation)

Quick Stats

• Charity Number: 1194520
• Annual Income: £277,041 (year ending May 31, 2024)
• Annual Expenditure: £112,804 (year ending May 31, 2024)
• Founded: 2017 (Registered as CIO: May 18, 2021)
• Geographic Focus: North East England (Durham, Newcastle, Northumberland)
• Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed

Contact Details

Address: Emmaus Village, Pemberton Road, Allensford, Consett, DH8 9BA

Email: significance316@gmail.com

Phone: 07801447017 / 07962126304

Fundraising Page: https://www.justgiving.com/significance

Overview

SIGNIFICANCE, also known as The Fr Dermott Donnelly Foundation, is a grant-making charity founded in 2017 by Fr Dermott Donnelly on the occasion of his Silver Jubilee of priesthood. Registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) in May 2021, the charity advances the education—including social, physical, spiritual, and mental development—of young people in the North East of England by making grants to other charities, ministries, and organisations.

Fr Dermott Donnelly, who served as Director of Youth Services in the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle for 30 years, founded the charity to provide opportunities for young people to realise their unique worth and significance. The charity embodies Fr Dermott's vision that young people should live “lives of happiness and significance” beyond mere survival or success. Following Fr Dermott's death in July 2022, the charity continues his legacy of youth ministry work in the region.

The charity operates closely with the Youth Ministry Trust and Emmaus Youth Village, with annual fundraising events including the SIGNIFICANCE Festival held at the Emmaus Village. With an income of over £277,000 in its most recent financial year, the charity is well-positioned to support youth development initiatives across the North East.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

SIGNIFICANCE makes grants to charities, ministries, and organisations working with young people in the North East of England. The specific grant programmes, amounts, and application cycles have not been publicly disclosed.

Priority Areas

The charity focuses on advancing education in its broadest sense for young people, including:

• Social Development: Supporting young people's social skills, relationships, and community engagement
• Physical Development: Enabling opportunities for physical activity, sports, and health
• Spiritual Development: Fostering spiritual growth and understanding of personal significance
• Mental Development: Supporting cognitive development, learning opportunities, and mental wellbeing
• Youth Ministry: Supporting Catholic and Christian youth ministry initiatives
• Educational Opportunities: Removing barriers that prevent young people from accessing education, training, or personal development opportunities

The founder's vision emphasized helping young people “reach high and achieve their best,” develop their potential, and inspire positive change in the world.

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions have not been publicly documented, but based on the charitable objects, the charity focuses exclusively on:

• Young people (rather than other age groups)
• The North East of England geographic area
• Grant-making to organisations (rather than direct service delivery)

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

The charity is governed by four trustees:

• Mary Hughes - Chair of Trustees
• Father Jeffrey John Dodds - Trustee
• Sarah Donnelly - Trustee
• Anthony William Lawless - Trustee

No trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. The charity operates with 5 volunteers and has no paid employees.

Founder's Vision

Fr Dermott Donnelly stated: “Young people have so much to give to our society and our world and I want to give them every opportunity to develop their potential.”

Throughout his ministry, Fr Dermott was known for reminding young people that each one of them is significant and loved by God. This core belief—that every young person has inherent worth and potential—remains central to the charity's mission.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Important Note: SIGNIFICANCE does not have a publicly available application process or application guidelines online. The charity operates as a grant-maker to organisations working with young people in the North East, but specific information about how to apply, eligibility criteria, deadlines, and grant amounts is not available on public platforms.

Organisations interested in potential funding should contact the charity directly:

• Email: significance316@gmail.com
• Phone: 07801447017 or 07962126304

When contacting the charity, organisations should be prepared to explain:

• Their registration status (as a charity, ministry, or organisation)
• Their work with young people in the North East of England
• How their work aligns with advancing education and development of young people
• The specific project or need for which funding is sought

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines have not been publicly disclosed. Organisations should inquire directly with the charity about their grant-making cycle and typical timeframes.

Success Rates

Success rates and application statistics have not been published. With an annual expenditure of approximately £112,000 and grant-making as the primary activity, the charity appears to maintain an active grant-making programme.

Reapplication Policy

No information about reapplication policies has been made publicly available.

Application Success Factors

While specific guidance for applicants has not been published, organisations can align with the charity's mission by demonstrating:

Connection to Fr Dermott's Vision: The charity was founded on the principle that every young person is significant and should have opportunities to “reach high and achieve their best.” Applications that emphasise helping young people recognise their worth, develop confidence, and realise their potential are likely to resonate.

Holistic Development Approach: The charity's objects specifically mention social, physical, spiritual, and mental development. Projects that address multiple dimensions of young people's wellbeing and growth may be particularly compelling.

North East Focus: The charity has strong roots in the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle and specifically serves the North East region. Organisations with established presence and track record in Durham, Newcastle, Northumberland, and surrounding areas are the intended beneficiaries.

Youth Ministry Connections: Given the charity's origins in Catholic youth ministry and its close relationship with the Youth Ministry Trust and Emmaus Village, organisations with connections to faith-based youth work or familiarity with the Diocese's youth ministry may have natural alignment.

Removing Barriers: Fr Dermott's vision emphasised giving young people “every opportunity” to develop their potential. Projects that specifically address financial or practical barriers preventing young people from accessing education, training, or development opportunities align with this mission.

Measurable Impact on Young People: While not explicitly stated, the charity's focus on advancement of education suggests value placed on demonstrating genuine impact on young people's development and life outcomes.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Contact essential: With no public application process, direct contact with the charity is necessary to understand current priorities and funding availability
• North East geographic focus: The charity exclusively serves young people in the North East of England—national or broader regional organisations should demonstrate specific North East impact
• Organisational grants only: SIGNIFICANCE makes grants to charities, ministries, and organisations, not to individuals
• Holistic youth development: Frame projects in terms of young people's social, physical, spiritual, and mental development, not just narrow programme delivery
• Legacy-driven mission: Understanding Fr Dermott Donnelly's vision and the charity's roots in Catholic youth ministry provides valuable context for engagement
• Relationship-based funding: Given the lack of formal application processes and the charity's connections to the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle, building relationships within the North East youth sector may be valuable
• Recent establishment: As a relatively new charity (registered 2021), processes may still be developing—early engagement could help shape future grant-making approach

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Bowland Charitable Trust
• The Moulding Foundation
• The Neumark Foundation
• The Arete Foundation
• THE KENORA CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
• Philip Barker Charity
• A J BELL TRUST
• Netherton Park Trust
• STAR Foundation
• The Longhirst Hall Educational Trust

References

• Charity Commission Register of Charities. “SIGNIFICANCE - 1194520.”. https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5180635/full-print

• JustGiving. “Join the SIGNIFICANCE community.”. https://www.justgiving.com/significance

• Diocese of Hexham & Newcastle. “Witness Day and Significance Festival.”. https://diocesehn.org.uk/whats-on/event/witness-day-and-significance-festival/

• Independent Catholic News. "Hexham & Newcastle Youth Ministry tribute to Fr Dermott Donnelly." July 2022. https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/45151

• Diocese of Hexham & Newcastle. “Fr Dermott Donnelly RIP.” July 2022. https://diocesehn.org.uk/news/fr-dermott-donnelly-rip/

• Diocese of Hexham & Newcastle. “Statement from YMT.” July 2022. https://diocesehn.org.uk/news/statement-from-ymt/

• Charity Choice. “Significance - 1194520.”. https://www.charitychoice.co.uk/significance-1194520

• Youth Ministry Team. “YMT.org – Youth Ministry Team – The Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle.”. https://ymt.org/