The Major Grants Programme

The Major grants programme operates in the North East of England, incorporating the counties of Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, Durham and Teesside only. It makes grants of up to £15,000 per annum over a maximum term of three years to voluntary sector organisations to support them to continue their core activities. It has donated over £4million since the first major grant in 1993. To apply, please read the guidelines below, and submit your application in the post.

Major Grant guidelines
The following FAQs provide guidelines as to the type of project we might support. However, you are asked in every circumstance to contact our grants manager, David Carnaffan on 0191 2127813 to discuss your project in detail before you apply.

Who do we support?

We can support and charitable organisation that is not an excluded item that meets our mission statement of:

“Making a difference to the lives of people in need in the heart of Greggs’ local communities”

The Foundation prioritises small local organisations. Organisations with income greater than £500,000 are unlikely to be considered.

What do we mean by 'making a difference'?
We want to receive applications from groups that work directly with people in need. We are looking for applications from groups that can clearly demonstrate the difference that their organisation makes to their particular client group.

Who are 'people in Need'?
The purpose of the major grants programme is to tackle social deprivation. Any group can apply that works within a disadvantaged community, or with people who are financially excluded, including the priority beneficiary groups listed below. Although each application is considered on its merits, the Greggs Foundation is highly unlikely to fund an application that doesn't work in a highly disadvantaged area or support priority beneficiaries.

Priority beneficiary groups:
Voluntary carers
People with disabilities
Older people
Homeless people

Where are 'Greggs Local Communities'?
The major grants fund supports North East based charities only, including Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, County Durham and Teesside. Local communities within the grant making area are prioritised, rather than projects that work regionally or county wide. The trustees aim to ensure a fair spread of grants throughout the North East of England so there are changing geographic priorities. Please contact Greggs Foundation staff to see if your area is a priority at this time.

What type of project can we fund?
The Greggs Foundation is a revenue funder, prioritising core salaries such as managers and key workers. There are a list of excluded items that the Foundation cannot fund further down the page.

Where can we make grants?
We can support charitable organisations based in Northumberland, Tyne & Wear, Teesside and Durham.

How much can we can give?
Up to £15,000 per annum for up to three years, resulting in a maximum grant of £45,000.

What are our chances of success?
The Foundation is extremely over-subscribed at present. We have a budget for 2012 in the region of £450,000 and in 2011 we received eligible requests of almost £3million. The committee meets to discuss grants once per quarter and priorities change round by round. Therefore we ask that you call our grants officer before applying to establish whether your application would be strongly considered by the trustees. 
 
Excluded Items
Grants can be made for any purpose provided it meets our mission statement and the request is not for one of the following activities:
 
• Animal charities
• Capital projects
• Equipment for hospitals
• Individuals
• Larger organisations with a greater capacity to fundraise
• National organisations, or branches of national organisations.
• Federated organisations such as CABx
• Overseas travel
• Religious promotion
• Repayment of loans or retrospective grants
• Research
• School projects during the school day
• Sports/arts equipment
• Sponsorship of events
• Uniformed groups such as scouts, guides and sea cadets.
   (former service personnel are not included in this)
• Unspecified running costs
• Purchase of vehicles


How do we apply?

Before you apply, we ask that you contact David Carnaffan, grants manager, on 0191 2127813 to ensure your application can be considered.

To apply, please send us a letter of application not exceeding three sides of A4 to outline the following points. Please ensure each point is included as a heading in the document:

•              Full contact details including telephone number and email address

•              What your organisation does

•              Who you are helping and how

•           Details of the skills and experience of your staff and volunteers

•              Details of the skills and experience of your management committee

•              Details of links with other organisations, and how you work with them

•              The amount of money requested for what purpose

•               Details of other grant applications that you’ve made and their outcome

 Submit your application, along with a copy of your most recent financial accounts to:

David Carnaffan
Grants Manager
Greggs Foundation
Clayton Road
Jesmond
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE2 1TL