At the heart of local giving - making community the cause

Tees Valley Community Foundation provides the link between those who want to give back or establish a legacy with those who are passionate about making a difference to the community.

By providing this specialised service, we enable people to feel confident and assured in their giving, whilst ethically supporting genuine transformation in the lives of local people, now and for years to come.

It’s an important role that we deliver with responsibility and integrity, and it’s why we’re recognised as the go-to choice for giving in the Tees Valley.

About Us

How to Apply Apply for a Grant About Us

29 Years

£33 Million

500,000 People

How can you help?

GIVE

Sometimes it’s better to ask: What do you want your money to do? What would you like the impact to be?

Whether you’re making a donation from your own money, managing a legacy from the loss of a loved one, or have any other circumstance that bring you here, we’re experienced in helping our donors make decisions that can sometimes be sensitive, complex, legally intricate and overwhelming.

We navigate the process so the intention and impact hits the right spot. Is your donation for now, forever or both?

How to Give

Latest Insights

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The tiredness of generosity - it's time to return to the gift of giving

Can you recall a time when you watched a charity TV advert from beginning to end and then donated or signed up? Me neither. But it’s not down to a lack of compassion. Read more...

Make It Count & Keep It Safe

My dad was a very proud but private man. Born in the North East in 1919, he served in the Second World War and even had his photo taken with the great Sir Winston Churchill before spending most of his working life as a telecoms engineer. Read more...

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Heritage

We’ve been managing and distributing the kindness and generosity of local people and businesses since 1988. We’re a small team with huge experience, offering reassuring, expert guidance to both our donors and the community causes we help.

Check out the timeline below to follow our journey.

About Us Read More

31/07/1988

Cleveland Charities Trust formed its original slogan ‘Keep it in Cleveland’.

01/09/1989

Jenny Hopper appointed Chief Executive. Geoffrey Collins, Peter Gowland, Ron Norman, James Grierson & Malcolm Bainbridge become Trustees.

01/09/1989

Name changed to Cleveland Community Foundation. Lady Gisbrough becomes a Patron.

01/10/1989

Tees Hartlepool Port Authority pledges £150,000. Alan Kitching becomes a Trustee.

01/05/1990

Ron Norman becomes Acting Chairman.

01/08/1990

£100,000 of pledges attained by Foundation

01/09/1990

Les Bell pledges £50,000 to establish the Foundation's first “named” fund.

01/11/1990

John Bloom becomes a trustee.

01/10/1991

Northern Electric pledges £100,000

01/04/1992

Teesside Development Corporation pledges £250,000.

01/03/1993

Pledges total £1.35 million.

01/07/1993

£100,000 gift from ICI/ENRON/ Amoco.

01/01/1994

Bulkhaul, Leech and Middlesbrough Football Club make donations.

01/03/1994

CAF/Matt Challenge Trust target achieved. Investments valued at over £1m for first time.

01/01/1995

Foundation Chair Ron Norman knighted.

01/01/1996

Teesside TEC pledges £100,000 Northumbrian Water £50,000 more, Northern Electric £62,000, BASF £45,000, Tees Power £45,000

01/03/1996

Value of General Endowment Fund £2,654,187

01/07/1996

Tony Gillham becomes Chairman

01/10/1996

Sir Ron Norman becomes President, Kevin Ryan appointed as Chief Executive

01/03/1997

Value of Endowment Fund £3,115,000

03/01/1998

Value of Endowment Fund £4,047,000

01/03/1998

Grant giving exceeds £1m

01/08/1998

Hartlepool Power Fund pledges £30,000

01/09/1999

Stockton Social Services Trust Fund of £100,000 transferred to Foundation

01/01/2000

Value of Endowment Fund £5,329,000

01/05/2000

Dupont make £50,000 donation

01/04/2001

Local Network Fund Partnership begins. £2m awarded in grants, gifts and donations

01/01/2002

John Bloom becomes Vice President

01/01/2002

Value of General Endowment Fund £5,794,000

01/03/2002

Foundation becomes owner of Peat Rigg Outdoor Centre

01/04/2003

Name changed to Tees Valley Community Foundation

01/04/2004

Permanent Endowment Fund valued at £5,613,000

01/12/2004

Nan Bloom sets up Law Bursary

01/05/2005

£2.4m given out in grants. Advansa Fund established

01/09/2005

John Bennett becomes Chairman

01/01/2006

William Weston appointed Chief Executive

01/09/2006

Hugh McGouran appointed Chief Executive

01/03/2007

Permanent Endowment Fund valued at £7,500,000

01/09/2009

Chris Hope becomes Chairman

01/01/2010

Relocate to Falcon Court

03/12/2011

Tees Power Station fund reaches £1m - our single biggest donor

01/01/2013

25 years since the opening of the governing documents of The Cleveland Charitable Trust

01/03/2013

Tees Offshore Wind Farm Fund established

01/06/2013

TVCF makes first strategic investment in Middlesbrough Football Club Foundation

01/08/2014

TVCF launches Intelligent Investment Programme

01/12/2016

£450,000 invested into Peat Rigg Outdoor Centres

25/09/2018

Neil Kenley becomes Chairman

Who's Involved

Check out the stories behind some of the people and businesses who help us make it all happen.

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