The Barbour Foundation

Charity Number: 328081

Annual Expenditure: £2.6M
Newcastle Upon Tyne City, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Durham, Northumberland

Contact Info

Website: https://www.barbour.com/uk/the-barbour-foundation

Phone: 0191 427 4221 (also listed as 0191 427 4217)

Email: barbour.foundation@barbour.com

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £2,566,960 (expenditure FY 2023-24)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available (high competition - receives more applications than can be funded)
  • Decision Time: 6-13 weeks (depending on grant size)
  • Grant Range: Up to £2,000 (small grants) - £100,000+ (main grants)
  • Geographic Focus: North East England (Tyne and Wear, Northumberland, Durham, North and South Tyneside, Newcastle upon Tyne)

Contact Details

Address: Simonside, South Shields, Tyne and Wear, NE34 9PD

Phone: 0191 427 4221 (also listed as 0191 427 4217)

Email: barbour.foundation@barbour.com

Website: https://www.barbour.com/uk/the-barbour-foundation

Overview

The Barbour Foundation was established in 1988 by Dame Margaret Barbour (originally as The Barbour Trust) to support charities and good causes primarily in the North East of England and support research into the causes of chronic illness. To date, over £29 million has been donated to communities. For the financial year ending April 5, 2024, the Foundation had an income of £383,420 and total expenditure of £2,566,960. The Foundation is closely connected to J. Barbour & Sons, the heritage clothing company, and operates under the leadership of trustees Dame Margaret Barbour (Chairman of Barbour), Helen Barbour, and Nichola Coates. No trustees receive remuneration from the charity. The Foundation is known for supporting both grassroots community projects and major capital initiatives, with recent high-profile grants including £100,000 for the restoration of the historic Herd Groyne lighthouse in South Shields (2024) and significant multi-million pound support to Newcastle University for cancer research.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Small Grants Programme: Up to £2,000 per application

  • Meetings held every six weeks
  • Applications by typewritten letter only (no email applications accepted)

Main Grants Programme: From £2,000 upwards

  • Meetings held quarterly
  • Can extend to major grants of £100,000+
  • Applications by typewritten letter only (no email applications accepted)

Priority Areas

The Foundation has five key charitable objectives:

  1. Relief of poverty and hardship: Supporting persons in the North East of England in conditions of need due to social and economic circumstances, hardship or distress
  1. Special needs services: Assisting organisations that provide services and projects for those with special needs
  1. Youth support: Improving employment prospects for young people and alleviating youth homelessness in the North East of England
  1. Medical research and equipment: Promoting research into the cause and treatment of chronic illnesses or diseases and provision of medical equipment
  1. Heritage and environment: Protection and preservation of environmental, historical or architectural features in cities, towns, villages and the countryside in the North East of England
  1. Crisis response: The Foundation also responds to national and international crises

The Women's Fund: Established in 1999 by Dame Margaret Barbour with an initial donation of £250,000, this fund offers support to organisations delivering benefit and social wellbeing to women in the local community (Tyne & Wear and Northumberland). Dame Margaret's vision was for the Fund to be “a collective endeavour enabling women to support other women in our region.”

What They Don't Fund

  • Requests outside their geographical area (North East England)
  • Educational establishments
  • Capital building projects (though exceptions have been made for heritage preservation)
  • Individual applications (only registered charities are eligible)

Governance and Leadership

Trustees:

  • Dame Margaret Barbour (Chair)
  • Helen Barbour
  • Nichola Coates

Dame Margaret Barbour, who established the Foundation in 1988, is Chairman of J. Barbour & Sons and has been recognized with numerous honours including a DBE for services to the fashion industry and the North East. She has spoken about her commitment to the region, stating upon receiving her damehood: “This [honour] is not just for me, but for the company; everybody in my hardworking force in the North East of England.”

No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted as a typewritten letter posted to the correspondent at the Foundation's address. Email applications are not accepted.

Application requirements (limited to two A4 pages):

  • Charity registration number
  • Full contact details (address, email, telephone)
  • Details of the request (project, core funding, etc.)
  • Cost breakdown
  • Latest accounts
  • Information on other funding sources being pursued

Important: Failure to provide requested information at the outset may result in refusal of application.

Decision Timeline

Small Grants (up to £2,000): Meetings held every six weeks, suggesting approximately 6-8 weeks for decision

Main Grants (£2,000+): Meetings held quarterly, suggesting approximately 8-13 weeks for decision

Success Rates

The Foundation explicitly states that it “always receives more applications than it has funds to support” and that “even if a project fits the policy priorities, it may not be possible to make a grant.” Specific success rate percentages are not publicly available, but applicants should be aware of high competition for limited funds.

Reapplication Policy

No specific information is publicly available regarding reapplication policies or waiting periods for unsuccessful applicants.

Application Success Factors

Key Considerations for Applicants

  1. Geographic alignment is essential: The Foundation is firmly rooted in the North East of England. Only registered charities operating in Northumberland, Durham, North and South Tyneside, and Newcastle upon Tyne are eligible.
  1. Two-page limit is strict: Applications are limited to two A4 pages. This requires concise, focused writing that clearly articulates need, impact, and alignment with the Foundation's priorities.
  1. Complete information from the start: The Foundation states that failure to provide requested information at the outset may result in refusal. Ensure all required elements are included in the initial application.
  1. Focus on the Foundation's five core objectives: Clearly demonstrate how your project aligns with at least one of their charitable objectives (poverty relief, special needs, youth support, medical research, or heritage preservation).
  1. The Foundation values both large and small projects: Recent grants range from £500 for charity leaflets (Amber's Legacy) to £10,000 for community facilities (Clegwell & Hartleyburn Community Hub) to £100,000 for lighthouse restoration, demonstrating flexibility in grant size.
  1. Long-term partnerships: The Foundation has supported Newcastle University since 2012 with multiple grants totaling over £4 million, suggesting they value sustained relationships with effective organizations.
  1. Heritage and landmark preservation: Recent high-profile support for the Herd Groyne lighthouse restoration (£100,000 in 2024) demonstrates strong interest in preserving iconic regional landmarks.

Examples of Recently Funded Projects

  • Herd Groyne Lighthouse Restoration (2024): £100,000 to restore the historic 1882 lighthouse in South Shields following storm damage
  • Clegwell & Hartleyburn Community Hub (2020): £10,000 towards a modular building (Youth Hut) in Hebron, South Tyneside
  • Amber's Legacy Charity: £500 towards leaflets
  • Newcastle University: Multiple grants since 2012 including £1m for Wolfson Childhood Cancer Research Centre, £1m for PhD studentships in Cancer Prevention Programme, and £2m establishing 35+ PhD studentship posts
  • Women's Fund projects: Support for Rape Crisis Tyneside and Northumberland (speaking and listening sessions for 45 women) and The Josephine and Jack Project (sexual health and relationships education for women with learning disabilities)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Regional focus is non-negotiable: Only charities operating in the specific North East England areas are eligible. Don't apply if you're outside this geography.
  • Small grants are accessible: With meetings every six weeks for grants up to £2,000, the small grants programme offers more frequent opportunities for smaller organizations.
  • Quality over quantity in your application: With only two A4 pages allowed, every sentence must count. Focus on clear articulation of need, impact, and alignment with Foundation priorities.
  • Postal applications only: This traditional approach suggests the Foundation values formal, well-prepared applications. Take time to craft a professional typewritten letter.
  • Competition is significant: The Foundation openly states it receives more applications than it can fund. Ensure your project stands out through clear impact, strong organizational track record, and precise alignment with priorities.
  • Major grants are possible: While small grants are common, the Foundation has demonstrated willingness to make substantial grants (£100,000+) for the right projects, particularly in heritage preservation and medical research.
  • Consider the Women's Fund pathway: If your organization works with women in Tyne & Wear and Northumberland, explore this specialized funding stream as an alternative or additional opportunity.

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References