The Bernicia Foundation Inclusion Grant Program 2025

The Bernicia Foundation is currently accepting applications for its Inclusion Grant Program 2025. This program supports initiatives that advance economic and social inclusion within communities.

📝 About The Bernicia Foundation Inclusion Grant Program

The Inclusion Grant aims to remove barriers to employment, training, volunteering, and access to essential services. It also focuses on reducing child poverty, tackling fuel poverty, improving financial well-being, reducing isolation, promoting independence, and building confidence and citizenship.

🎁 Benefits of The Bernicia Foundation Inclusion Grant Program

Benefits for Communities

• Financial Support: Provides funding to cover essential costs like overheads and staff salaries.
• Wide Reach: In 2024/25 alone, £247,000 was awarded, benefiting around 8,000 people.
• Sustained Impact: Over £1.3 million has been awarded to date, showing long-term commitment to community development.
• Stability for Services: Grants act as a lifeline for organizations, helping them continue operations during difficult times.

Benefits for Individuals

• Economic Inclusion: Helps people access opportunities that reduce inequality and hardship.
• Social Inclusion: Supports initiatives that bring people together, strengthen communities, and reduce isolation.
• Youth Empowerment: Through related programs like the Inspiration Grant, young people are supported to pursue talents and reach their potential.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the Inclusion Grant Program, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Be registered charities or constituted voluntary/community organizations.
• Organizations previously awarded funding are eligible, regardless of when the grant was received.
• Community Interest Companies (CICs) are eligible only when funding is strictly for charitable costs related to:
  • Establishing the enterprise.
  • Developing new goods/services.
  • Entering a new market (supported by a sound business plan).
• Must be based in or operate within Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, County Durham, or Teesside.
• Have an annual income under £750,000 and no more than six months’ running costs in reserve.
• Hold a governing document and have a governing body of at least three unrelated individuals.
• Operate an independent bank account and maintain a safeguarding policy where relevant.

📅 Application Date and Process

Steps to Apply

1. Confirm eligibility based on organization type, location, income, reserves, and governance requirements.
2. Identify a project that aligns with economic or social inclusion objectives.
3. Prepare a clear project plan, including:
   • Objectives.
   • Target groups.
   • Activities.
   • Expected outcomes.
   • Budget.
4. For CICs, include a detailed business plan explaining:
   • Charitable purpose.
   • Development of new goods/services.
   • Entry into a new market.
5. Submit the application with supporting documents, including:
   • Governance information.
   • Safeguarding policy.
   • Bank account details.
6. Demonstrate how the initiative will provide measurable community impact and address identified barriers.

⏰ Application Deadline

The deadline to apply is 31 December, 2025.

🌐 Application Portal

For more details, visit the official website of The Bernicia Foundation Inclusion Grant Program.

To apply, visit the application page.

Benefits for Communities

• Financial Support: Provides funding to cover essential costs like overheads and staff salaries.
• Wide Reach: In 2024/25 alone, £247,000 was awarded, benefiting around 8,000 people.
• Sustained Impact: Over £1.3 million has been awarded to date, showing long-term commitment to community development.
• Stability for Services: Grants act as a lifeline for organizations, helping them continue operations during difficult times.

Benefits for Individuals

• Economic Inclusion: Helps people access opportunities that reduce inequality and hardship.
• Social Inclusion: Supports initiatives that bring people together, strengthen communities, and reduce isolation.
• Youth Empowerment: Through related programs like the Inspiration Grant, young people are supported to pursue talents and reach potential.