The Northern Counties Children's Benevolent Society

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £87,859 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not published
• Decision Time: Quarterly meetings (applications reviewed 4 times per year)
• Grant Range: Modest grants (specific amounts not published)
• Geographic Focus: Northern England (11 counties)
• Charity Number: 219696

Contact Details

• Website: https://northerncountiescbs.org.uk/
• Email: NCCBS1864@gmail.com
• Phone: 07899 984697
• Address: 30 Princes Road, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE3 5AL

Overview

The Northern Counties Children's Benevolent Society was founded in 1864 as the Northern Counties Orphan Institution, originally operating children's homes for boys and girls in Jesmond, Newcastle. Following the closure of the residential homes in the 1990s, the buildings were sold and the proceeds now generate income to fund educational grants. With an annual expenditure of £87,859 (2024) and total income of £109,337, the charity focuses on supporting children under 18 who are in need through sickness, disability, or other causes. The organization operates across 11 Northern England counties, assessing applications based on financial, educational, and social need. Grants are modest and may be combined with funding from other sources.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Educational Grants for Children and Young People

• Amount: Modest grants (specific amounts not published)
• Application method: Email for application form, quarterly trustee meetings

The charity provides educational grants that are assessed on the basis of financial, educational, and social need. Grants are typically modest and applicants are advised that they may need to combine funding from multiple sources.

What They Fund

Educational expenses including:

• School fees
• Transport costs
• School uniform
• Equipment
• Tutoring
• Sports fees

Eligibility criteria:

• Children and young people under 18 years old
• Living or attending school in the eligible geographic area
• Demonstrable financial, educational, and social need

Geographic Coverage

The charity serves young people in the following areas:

• Northumberland
• Tyne & Wear
• Cumbria
• Durham
• Teesside
• Greater Manchester
• Humberside
• Cleveland
• Yorkshire
• Lancashire
• Cheshire

What They Don't Fund

Information about specific exclusions is not published, but grants are restricted to educational purposes for children under 18 in the specified geographic areas.

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees (6 total)

1. Ruth Foster
2. Adam Richard George Waugh
3. James Cockburn
4. Eliza Browne-Swinburn
5. Reverend David Ronald James Holloway
6. Dr. Frances Elizabeth Jones

The charity operates under a scheme dated 26 August 1958 as varied by scheme of 18 September 1980 and amended by scheme dated 24 January 2000. No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

• Up-to-date school report
• Information about any medical conditions affecting the child or other family members that have bearing on the application
• Proof of income
• Full details of why the grant is needed

Decision Timeline

• Trustee meetings: Held four times per year in January, April, June, and September
• Assessment criteria: Applications are assessed on the basis of financial, educational, and social need
• Notification: Specific notification methods and timeframes not published

Success Rates

Success rates and application statistics are not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies is not publicly available. Applicants should contact the charity directly for guidance.

Application Success Factors

Based on the charity's stated assessment criteria, successful applications will likely demonstrate:

• Clear financial need: Applications are assessed on financial need, so comprehensive proof of income and financial circumstances is essential
• Educational benefit: Clear explanation of how the grant will support the child's education
• Social circumstances: Information about family circumstances, particularly any medical conditions or challenges affecting the child or family members
• Supporting evidence: Up-to-date school reports demonstrate engagement with education
• Specificity: Full details of exactly why the grant is needed and what it will fund

The charity notes that grants are “modest” and advises that applicants may need to combine funding from multiple sources, suggesting that realistic budget expectations and evidence of seeking other funding sources may strengthen applications.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Historic mission: This charity has over 160 years of history supporting children in need, evolving from running orphanages to providing educational grants
• Geographic specificity: Applications must be from children living or attending school in one of the 11 eligible Northern England counties
• Quarterly cycle: Plan applications around the January, April, June, and September trustee meetings
• Holistic assessment: Prepare to demonstrate financial, educational, AND social need - all three factors are considered
• Modest grants: Set realistic expectations - grants are described as modest and may need to be combined with other funding
• Documentary evidence required: Ensure you have current school reports, medical information (if relevant), and proof of income before applying
• Educational focus: All grants must relate to educational purposes including fees, equipment, transport, uniform, tutoring, or sports fees

References

• Charity Commission Register of Charities. (2024). The Northern Counties Children's Benevolent Society - Charity 219696. Retrieved from https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/about-the-register-of-charities/-/charity-details/219696/full-print []

• Northern Counties Children's Benevolent Society. (n.d.). Official website. Retrieved from https://northerncountiescbs.org.uk/ []

• Children's Homes and Institutions. (n.d.). Northern Counties Orphan Institution, Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland. Retrieved from https://www.childrenshomes.org.uk/NewcastleOrphanage/ []