Why community has and always will be the cause for TVCF

They all share a common purpose; to improve the lives of the people who live here.

We’ve been managing and distributing the kindness and generosity of local people and businesses here for more than 35 years, and our community project grant funding creates significant opportunities for charities and groups to further their purpose and make a difference.

Our funds help to reach individuals or communities that might not otherwise be reached; they help to support groups during tough times, such as the pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis and in some cases, it can be the difference between a much-loved and needed small group existing and not.

So, how does community grant funding help?  

Both our accessible small grants (up to £2500) and our larger specialist investments and mentoring funds offer such vital support in generating positive and lasting change to our area. Here’s how:

• Addresses Local Needs: Community project grants allow organisations and groups to identify and address the unique needs and challenges faced by their local communities – a targeted approach that ensures resources and efforts where they are most needed.
• Empowerment: Grant funding empowers local organisations and community leaders to take the lead in solving problems and creating positive change in their communities. It fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility, which can lead to more sustainable solutions.
• Fosters Collaboration: Grant giving encourages collaboration among community members, organisations, and stakeholders; when multiple groups come together to work on a common goal, the impact is often greater, and resources are used more efficiently.
• Innovation and Creativity: Grant funding provides the flexibility for innovative and creative approaches to solving community problems. It allows for experimentation and the exploration of new ideas, which can lead to breakthrough solutions.
• Capacity Building: Grant programs often include improvements such as training and technical assistance, individuals and groups can strengthen their ability to address community needs effectively, not only during the grant period but also in the long term.
• Community Engagement: Grant giving encourages community engagement and participation. When people have a say in how resources are allocated and projects are implemented, they are more likely to be invested in the success of those initiatives.
• Economic Development: By giving community grants to local projects, we stimulate economic development at the community level, by supporting small businesses, entrepreneurs, and initiatives that create jobs and boost local economies.
• Social Cohesion: Supporting community grant giving can enhance social cohesion by bringing diverse groups together to work on common projects. This can lead to improved relationships, trust, and a stronger sense of community.
• Long-Term Impact: Investing in community grant programs can have a lasting impact on the well-being and resilience of communities. By addressing root causes and building local capacity, grant initiatives can and do help communities become more self-sufficient and better equipped to face future challenges.
• Philanthropic Social Responsibility: Many individuals and companies feel a social and ethical responsibility to give back to the communities in which they operate or live. Supporting community grant giving is a way to fulfil this desire or responsibility and contribute to the greater good.

Empowering communities to make a meaningful difference now and in the future.

We are eternally grateful to our generous donors, trustees, specialist advisors and the staff here at the Foundation, who all make this grant giving possible and play a vital role in promoting positive change on Teesside.

Collectively, we are empowering communities, encouraging collaboration, encouraging innovation and addressing pressing needs in our community, making a meaningful difference in the well-being of the area.  The community is the cause, and we will always be here to support it.