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Making A Difference

Since our launch in 1995, County Durham Foundation has made grants that touch the lives of 80% of the people living in County Durham or Darlington. This could not have been possible without the fantastic support of our fund holders who now number over 80 including local individuals, families, companies, trusts and public bodies. Here are just a few of the highlights that we have achieved together.

We have helped:

3,400 groups and 1,450 individuals to achieve their goals.
Click here for further information on the scope of grants we have given.

Paid for an estimated:

600 after school club and child-care places
1,950 training courses for the unemployed
220 drop in centres for people with disabilities
220 environmental improvements to local community gardens/parks
120 self-help groups
500 activities for groups of children and young people
240 people to gain a qualification (many of whom had not previously gained any)
240 musical instruments for brass bands
230 refurbishments to community buildings and halls
76 team football strips for youth teams (boys and girls)
13 talented young people to participate at a senior level in their chosen field of music or sport
60 luncheon clubs for groups of elderly people
1,200 day trips and visits for the isolated or vulnerable
plus we have bought many items of equipment and paid for thousands of groups to increase the range of activities, services and support they give to their local communities.

Click here for further information on the impact that our grants have made.

In order to achieve this we have:

Raised £13 million including over £5million for our endowment fund.
Been the grateful recipient of 2 major legacies, with more pledged.
Achieved an 80% repeat (and in most cases higher) donation rate from our fund holders.
Distributed £10million (with 60% in the last 3 years) as grants.
Held or attended over 260 funding seminars or voluntary events for potential grant applicants.
Assessed 6,615 applications.
Employed 35 staff (not at the same time!).
Worked with over 260 volunteers.
Made over 13,000 telephone calls, written 10,000 letters and sent 3,000 emails when assessing grant applications.

Some members of S.N.U.G

Successfully trained 129 individuals from former coalfields areas to inspire and lead their local communities Click here for the full project evaluation report.
Set up and run a 30-module accredited training programme for community leaders.
Taken over the management of 4 failing or dormant charitable trusts.
Successfully project-led the start of community networks in Easington, Wear Valley and Derwentside.
Encouraged first-time projects to apply for further funding elsewhere, which 50% of them successfully did.
Become the first charity in the country to offer their fund holders login sites via our website to track their funds investment performance and grant progress (including feedback from grant recipients).
Achieved ISO9001 Certification and have been awarded Investors in People status at our first attempt.
Been audited by over 100 organisations with positive outcomes (and sometimes commendations).
Consistently outperformed the market with our investments.