At the heart of local giving - making community the cause

We are fully operational - please visit our  Covid-19 page for the latest funding information.

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
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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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Our Chief Exec, Hugh, pays tribute to former Chairman

Our CEO Hugh has paid tribute to a ‘dedicated and resolute’ former chairman, John Bennett, who has sadly died following a short illness. John, aged 76 years, of Hutton Rudby, was married to Alison - his wife of 55 years - and father to three sons Robin, Torquil and Rhuari as well as the proud grandfather to seven grandchildren. He became chairman of TVCF in 2005 and spent the next five years making a considerable impact on our grant giving organisation, which aims to empower communities to address disadvantage and exclusion in the Tees Valley.
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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.

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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
19/09/2018
Award-winning Cash for Kids partnership with TFM rolled out nationwide by Bauer Media.
25/09/2018
Neil Kenley becomes Chairman
02/12/2018
Welcomed three new trustees; Nigel Williams, Emma Read and Wendy John
16/03/2020
Embraced working from home during Covid-19 lockdown – established and distributed Teesside Covid Relief Fund
06/04/2020
Launched dedicated Redcar & Cleveland Emergency Fund in partnership with RCVDA and Sirius Minerals Foundation

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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29 Years

£33 Million

500,000 People