community funding
Our believe housing community grant scheme supports projects that make a real difference to people’s lives and wellbeing.
our key themes
Applications for projects must meet one of our key themes:
- Health and Wellbeing: improving mental and physical health as well as building the confidence of individuals
- Employability and Training: including volunteering and other upskilling activities
- Increasing Household Income: activities including debt and benefit advice, feeding families, money support, and employing people
- A Greener, Fairer Future: by reducing, reusing and recycling
- Tackling Inequalities: addressing challenges caused by the cost-of-living crisis
- Bringing the community together.
To apply for any of the grants your project must be delivered in one of our patch areas, these are central Durham, east Durham and south-west Durham. When completing the application form, we ask that you select which patch area your project will cover. Please check the list on each of our grants for a breakdown of locations within each patch area. Note – projects can benefit people in more than one location within a patch area.
It may be acceptable for projects to deliver outcomes in more than one neighbouring patch area but please discuss this with the Community Investment Team prior to submitting your application.
All projects must be deliverable in one of our patch areas, these are central Durham, east Durham and west Durham. Please see the list below for a breakdown.
The funding will be split equally across the areas, we ask when completing the application form that you select which area your project will cover.
Some potential projects may have delivery outcomes that overlap in the delivery areas, which may be acceptable, but please discuss this with the Community Investment Team prior to submitting your application.
If you are unsure if your group or project idea qualifies for this grant, please contact us to discuss. You can contact the Community Investment Team by email: communitygrant@believehousing.co.uk, call us on 0300 1311 999.
locations
| Bearpark | Bowburn | Brandon | Browney |
| Cassop | Carrville | Claypath | Coxhoe |
| Crossgate | Croxdale | Elvet | Esh Winning |
| Framwellgate Moor | Gilesgate | Gilesgate Moor | High Pittington |
| Kelloe | Langley Moor | Ludworth | Meadowfield |
| New Brancepeth | Newton Hall | Park Hill Estate | Pity Me |
| Quarrington Hill | Shadforth | Sherburn Hill | Sherburn Road |
| Sherburn Village | Ushaw Moor | West Rainton | Witton Gilbert |
| Acre Rigg | Blackhall Colliery | Blackhall Rocks | Byron |
| Castle Eden | Chapel Hill | Chilton Moor | Dalton-le-Dale |
| Dawdon | Deaf Hill | Denehouse | Deneside |
| Eastlea | Easington Colliery | Easington Village | Eden Hill |
| Harbour | Haswell | Haswell Plough | Hawthorn |
| Hesleden | Hetton-le-Hole | Horden | Howletch |
| Hutton Henry | Milldale | Murton | Newbottle |
| Northlea | Parkside | Passfield | Princess Road |
| Ryhope | Seaton | Shotton Colliery | South Hetton |
| Station Town | Sunny Blunts | Trimdon Colliery | Westlea |
| Wheatley Hill | Wingate | ||
| Billy Row | Bishop Auckland | Chilton | Coundon |
| Coundon Grange | Crook | Eldon Lane | Escomb |
| Frosterley | Howden-le-Wear | Hunwick | Leeholme |
| St Helen Auckland | Stanhope | Sunnybrow | Tow Law |
| West Auckland | Willington | Witton-Le-Wear | Wolsingham |
Thinking about applying?
We welcome applications from:
- registered and exempt charities
- community groups
- schools
- social enterprises
- voluntary groups
- community interest companies
- town, parish or community councils
- faith groups/venues
Social enterprises are expected to operate on a model that includes a tradable product or service, generating income to support their social purpose. Grant funding will only be provided to support the social benefit element of the organisation’s work.
All social enterprises, including CICs, must demonstrate that a reasonable proportion of their income is earned through trading activities that generate funds for social benefit (typically 25% or more is considered reasonable).
They must provide a detailed breakdown of income streams within their application, clearly showing income from grants and income from trading.
Social enterprises must demonstrate within applications:
- Operational history: be registered for at least 12 months.
- Purpose: demonstrate clear charitable objectives and a defined social benefit.
- Governance: have a management committee with at least three directors, or four if two directors are related.
- Banking: maintain a bank or building society account in the organisation’s name, with a minimum of two unrelated signatories.
- Legal status: hold a recognised legal status (e.g., company limited by guarantee) and be registered with the appropriate authority (e.g., Companies House).
- Asset lock: nominate an organisation as the asset lock body.
- Trading income: generate at least 25% of income through trading activities.
- Project scope: ensure the funded project is not a tradable asset or service.
- Funding purpose: apply for costs related to project delivery, not CIC management.
- Charitable activity: seek funding for charitable projects or activities, not for services normally charged as part of trading.
- Cost structure: align sessional costs with an appropriate pay structure.
- Community impact: provide clear evidence of community need and benefit.
Unfortunately, we are unable to accept applications from:
- individuals
- party political groups
- private companies or ‘for-profit’ organisation’s
- those whose objectives and ethos do not meet believe housing’s charitable objectives.
We encourage potential applicants to contact us first to discuss your project idea before submitting your application. You can contact the Community Investment Team by emailing communitygrant@believehousing.co.uk or calling 0300 1311 999.
Want to make a real difference in County Durham?
Our believe housing community grants are here to help! Whether you’re launching a new initiative or building on an existing project, these grants are designed to support local groups in creating meaningful change. From boosting well-being to enhancing everyday life, we’re here to fund initiatives that make our communities stronger and more connected.
Apply today and turn your ideas into action!