GrantRadar

Sir James Knott Trust

Sir James Knott Trust Grants

Grants for charitable activity in Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, County Durham and Hartlepool, from a trust that gave £3.2m to over 400 organisations in its last financial year. It funds across ten areas from arts to housing and hardship, and has deliberately shifted towards longer-term core funding: often £5,000 a year for three years, occasionally £15,000 a year for three years. Small grants of £2,000 and under are handled outside the meeting cycle and turn round in about six weeks. There are no deadlines.

Apply on the funder’s site
You could get
Amount not specified
no fixed round
Deadline
Rolling
apply any time
Effort
Moderate
full application with documents

Who can apply

  • Registered charities, community groups and social enterprises working in Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, County Durham and Hartlepool
  • The area of benefit does not include Darlington, Stockton, Redcar or Middlesbrough
  • Organisations with a turnover of over £3m will only be funded in exceptional circumstances, and it is advisable to discuss this in advance
  • National charities based outside the North East will only be funded if they can demonstrate they bring exceptional additional value to the region
  • Faith organisations are funded as long as the activity or building being funded is open to people of all faiths and none; if the application relates to the fabric of a church building it is worth telephoning first, as the Trust has specific restrictions
  • Applications from individuals cannot be considered

What it funds

Ten areas:

  • Arts and culture
  • Community issues and events
  • Conservation and environment
  • Education and training
  • Health and sport
  • Heritage and historic buildings
  • Housing, homelessness and hardship
  • Maritime
  • Public service
  • Service charities

The Trust makes larger unrestricted grants over multiple years - often £5,000 per year over three years, occasionally £15,000 per year over three years, and rarely more - alongside small grants of £2,000 and under for micro-organisations with no paid staff.

Capital and project grants are also made.

Special consideration is given to causes known to have interested Sir James Knott: helping people find work and a safe place to live, giving people the chance to congregate, and military and maritime causes.

What it will not fund

  • Research
  • Activity that has already taken place
  • Grants to individuals
  • Activity that takes place outside the Trust's area of benefit
  • Organisations with a turnover over £3m, other than in exceptional circumstances
  • National charities based outside the North East, unless they can show they bring exceptional additional value to the region

the area of benefit does not include Darlington, Stockton, Redcar or Middlesbrough

capital contributions for church fabric should go first to Northumbria Historic Churches Trust or the Diocese of Newcastle, to which the Trust makes annual donations

How to apply

  1. Check you are eligible and understand the process and timescale
  2. Create a log-in on the online application system - a new one is needed if you have not applied since 2 September 2025
  3. Complete the online Application Form, saving and returning as often as you like before submitting
  4. Submit; the application is emailed to you and can no longer be edited by you, though the Trust can make updates on your behalf

applications can also be emailed or posted to the Trust at Connected Voice Office, One Strawberry Lane, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4BX

if you have difficulty with the online form the Trust will talk you through it or send you a copy

for applications over £10,000, expect a visit from an assessor or a member of the Trust staff team

telephone and email enquiries before applying are welcomed

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