The Newcastle Fund

Charity Number: CUSTOM_41136EC5

Annual Expenditure: £0.5M

Stay updated on changes from The Newcastle Fund and other funders

Get daily notifications about new funding opportunities, deadline changes, and programme updates from UK funders.

Free Email Updates

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: Approximately £470,000-£500,000 per round
Success Rate: Data not publicly available
Decision Time: Not specified (applications reviewed after closing date)
Grant Range: £1,000 - £25,000
Geographic Focus: Newcastle upon Tyne (city-wide)

Contact Details

Email: newcastlefund@newcastle.gov.uk

Phone: 0191 277 7523

Contact Person: Adam Taeger, Communities Officer

Address: Communities Team, 2nd Floor, Civic Centre, Barras Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8PN

Website: https://new.newcastle.gov.uk/communities/grants-funding/funding-voluntary-community-organisations/newcastle-fund

Application Portal: Citizen Hub (accessed via Newcastle City Council website)

Overview

The Newcastle Fund was established in 2011 by Newcastle City Council, consolidating various grant aid programmes across the Council into a single comprehensive fund. Operating as the council's main grant giving programme, it supports voluntary and community organisations, registered charities, and social enterprises based in Newcastle. The Fund typically operates through annual rounds, with Round 15 in 2025 offering £500,000 in total funding and Round 14 (2024-2025) distributing approximately £470,000 to 43 organizations. The programme supports both project-specific costs and core running costs, emphasizing the council's commitment to building sustainable community resources through local skills and knowledge. The Fund aligns with Newcastle City Council's three strategic priorities: inclusive economy, anti-poverty, and net zero.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Main Newcastle Fund: £5,000 - £25,000

Rolling applications with annual closing dates (typically October). Projects must be delivered within the specified financial year. Organizations can apply once per round. Applications submitted through the online Citizen Hub portal.

Small Grants (Newcastle Fund): Up to £5,000

Designed for smaller community groups with simpler application processes. Separate application rounds typically open in spring. Projects must be completed within shorter timeframes.

Priority Areas

The Newcastle Fund focuses on three strategic themes aligned with council priorities:

Building Community Connection

Projects that strengthen communities through resident engagement, socially inclusive activities, and volunteer development. Recent funded projects include community food programmes, intergenerational activities, and neighborhood engagement initiatives.

Improving Individual Connections

Initiatives reducing social isolation, building confidence, and helping people integrate within their communities. Successful applications have supported refugees and asylum seekers, people experiencing sight loss, and those facing social exclusion.

Improving Health and Wellbeing

Programmes preventing dependency on services, supporting independent living, developing employment skills, and assisting vulnerable groups. The Council emphasizes “the foundations for a stable LIFE—somewhere to Live, Income, Freedom from excessive debt, and Employment opportunities.” Recent funding has supported mental health services, employment training, health promotion, and services for people with disabilities.

What They Don't Fund

Application submission costs
Activities targeting non-Newcastle residents
Costs or activities outside the specified project delivery period
Projects not aligned with the three council priorities (inclusive economy, anti-poverty, net zero)

Ready to write a winning application for The Newcastle Fund?

Our AI helps you craft proposals that match their exact priorities. Save 10+ hours and increase your success rate.

Get Free Beta Access

Governance and Leadership

Councillor Irim Ali - Cabinet Member for Communities (2024-present)

Responsible for the Communities Portfolio including partnerships with VCSE groups to shape vital services and establish effective partnership approaches.

Councillor Alex Hay - Cabinet Member for a Thriving City

Quoted on community funding: “This funding will help futureproof many important community buildings...and help residents access skills and support at places that are accessible.”

The Newcastle Fund is administered by the Communities Team at Newcastle City Council, working in partnership with the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector across the city.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted online through Newcastle City Council's Citizen Hub digital portal. Organizations should:

Review the round-specific prospectus thoroughly before starting
Allow sufficient time to complete the application before the deadline
Ensure all mandatory policies and documents are current and ready to upload
Contact newcastlefund@newcastle.gov.uk for support if experiencing difficulties

Mandatory Documentation Required:

Current Health and Safety policy
Current Safeguarding policy
Current Equality and Diversity policy
Governing document
Recent financial records (accounts)
Bank details confirmation requiring two signatories
Valid insurance policies

Decision Timeline

Applications are reviewed after the round closing date. The Council does not publish specific decision timelines, but applicants can:

Check application status within the Citizen Hub portal
Expect email notification once the review is complete

Payment Structure

Grants up to £4,999: Paid in one installment

Grants £5,000-£9,999: Paid in two installments

Grants £10,000+: Paid in four installments

All payments are made in advance.

Success Rates

Round 14 (2024-2025) awarded approximately £470,000 to 43 organizations across main grants and small grants. Round 15 has £500,000 available. Specific application-to-award ratios are not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

Grant decisions cannot be appealed. However, unsuccessful applicants receive support: with permission, the Council will “share your application with alternative funders who could support your project.” Organizations can apply again in subsequent rounds.

Application Success Factors

Direct Guidance from the Funder

Before Starting:

“Read the application guidance carefully”
“Do not assume assessors will be familiar with your organisation or activity”
Provide thorough context as reviewers may lack background knowledge of your work

Content Requirements:

“Make sure you provide clear and detailed information”
“Do not exceed the stated word limits”
“Do not leave any sections blank (unless specified in the application form)”
Avoid tables, graphics, appendices, or web links
Answer only what is requested in the specified location

Strengthening Your Application:

Demonstrate project importance through community feedback and local research. Explain clearly:

What you'll deliver and your reasons
How residents' skills contribute to planning and delivery
Who will benefit and what impact you expect
Your complete budget breakdown
Project location within Newcastle
Clear alignment with council priorities and desired outcomes

Assessment Approach

Applications are scored 0-5 on eight questions, with each question weighted at 20%. The Council uses an objective assessment tool. Excellent responses (score 5) “Meet requirements exactly,” while satisfactory responses (score 3) are “acceptable” even if not perfect.

Recently Funded Projects (Round 14, 2024-2025)

Action Foundation (£25,000): Language and digital training for refugees and asylum seekers—employment skills development

Smart Works Newcastle (£25,000): Interview coaching and professional wardrobes for unemployed women—breaking down employment barriers

Men's Pie Club (£25,000): Community cooking sessions addressing male mental health and social isolation

YMCA Newcastle (£17,014): Youth mental health services

The Comfrey Project (£16,231): Community food growing and environmental activities

Vision support services (various amounts): Addressing sight loss and social isolation

Multiple D/deaf inclusion projects, learning disability support programmes, and community food initiatives were also funded, demonstrating the Fund's commitment to supporting diverse communities and addressing multiple forms of disadvantage.

Key Terminology

Projects that successfully demonstrate alignment with the Council's language around:

Sustainable community resources
Building on local skills and knowledge
Emotional resilience and community connections
The “LIFE” framework (Live, Income, Freedom from debt, Employment)
Preventing dependency and supporting independence

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Alignment is essential: Your project must clearly demonstrate how it addresses at least one of the three council priorities (inclusive economy, anti-poverty, net zero) and one of the three funding themes (community connection, individual connections, or health and wellbeing).

Newcastle focus only: Projects must take place in Newcastle and benefit Newcastle residents—this is non-negotiable. Geographic specificity within Newcastle strengthens applications.

Don't assume knowledge: Write as if assessors know nothing about your organization or the issue you're addressing. Provide clear context, explain your rationale, and demonstrate need through community feedback and local research.

Co-funding is valued: The Fund encourages understanding “any other match funding you may have or intend to apply for that will support the sustainability of your project,” indicating preference for initiatives with multiple funding sources and long-term viability.

Core costs are eligible: Unlike many funders, the Newcastle Fund explicitly welcomes applications for organizational core running costs such as rent and staff salaries, not just project-specific expenses.

Application precision matters: Follow word limits exactly, complete every section, avoid supplementary materials (no tables, graphics, appendices, or web links), and provide clear budget breakdowns. Technical compliance is part of the assessment.

Post-award engagement: Be prepared for ongoing monitoring—quarterly contact from a lead officer and either annual or six-monthly monitoring reports depending on grant size. The Council takes active interest in funded projects' progress.