Community Foundation North East (serving Tyne & Wear and Northumberland) with Gateshead Council

The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Fund

Capital grants of up to £25,000 (larger considered where community impact is significant) for voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations delivering infrastructure projects that benefit local communities in specific Gateshead wards. Money comes from Gateshead's Community Infrastructure Levy and is currently available only in Winlaton and High Spen; Ryton, Crookhill and Stella; and Dunston Hill and Whickham East. It is rolling but closes once each ward's money is allocated, and you must speak to the fund manager before applying.

Apply on the funder’s site

You could get: Up to £25,000; no fixed round
Deadline: Rolling; apply any time
Effort: Heavy; budgets, references, often several stages

Who can apply

Voluntary, community and social enterprise sector organisations based in the Gateshead wards with money available (currently Winlaton and High Spen; Ryton, Crookhill and Stella; Dunston Hill and Whickham East)
Organisations based outside a target ward may be considered if they show the project will benefit that ward's community
The Community Foundation's general rules apply: a governing document, a board of at least three unrelated people with equal control, a bank account in the organisation's name with two unrelated signatories, approved accounts showing income, expenditure and reserves, adult and child safeguarding policies, a business plan for CICs and other non-charity social enterprises, no overdue monitoring, and the work must be legally charitable
For building works you need the owner's approval and relevant permissions

What it funds

Capital infrastructure projects of benefit to local communities in the target Gateshead wards. Previous grants have included replacing a roof, installing new windows to reduce heat loss, installing solar panels and battery storage, replacing shower and kitchen facilities, and creating a community heritage garden. Applications must outline the capital project and its benefits for the local community and show sustainability with no ongoing revenue costs for Gateshead Council. Current ward pots:

Winlaton and High Spen £25,087
Ryton, Crookhill and Stella £37,571
Dunston Hill and Whickham East £32,830 (max request £25,000 in each)

What it will not fund

Projects outside the target Gateshead wards that do not benefit those wards' communities
Revenue or running costs (capital infrastructure only)
Projects creating ongoing revenue costs for Gateshead Council
Applications without the required documentation
Contributions to general appeals or circulars
Advancement of religion
Advancement of animal welfare
Grant-making by other organisations (necessary goods for a service, e.g. food parcels, can be funded)
Activities primarily intended to help a public body meet its statutory obligations
Activities that have already taken place
Privately owned and profit-distributing companies or partnerships

How to apply

Contact the fund manager, Pete Barrett (pb@communityfoundation.org.uk, 0191 222 0945), to discuss your proposal and check there is money left in your ward; this is required in all cases
Get three quotes and, for building works, the owner's approval, architect and surveyor reports and details of permissions needed
Register on the Community Foundation grantee portal (allow up to two working days)
Complete the online organisation application, outlining the capital project and its benefits for the local community, and upload the documents

Rolling, but each ward's fund closes once its money is allocated, so apply early.

Larger grants than £25,000 may be considered where community impact is significant and funds are available.

Have ready

Project budget and three quotes for the work or items to be purchased
Copies of relevant insurance policies and asset register
Most recent financial statements approved by your governing body, no more than 22 months old (new organisations: management accounts or a cashflow forecast)
Governing document (constitution, rules, or memorandum and articles)
Bank statement dated within the last 3 months showing bank name, account name, number and sort code
Safeguarding policy and procedures (children and adults)

For capital building works also: evidence the building owner has approved the works; architect and surveyor reports; information on permissions needed (e.g. Party Wall Act, planning permission, building regulations, competent person scheme); length of lease if leased; confirmation of asset transfer completion if ownership came from the Council. CICs and other non-charity social enterprises also upload a CIC36 and business plan. Applications without appropriate documentation will not be considered.

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