North East Roots

The North East Roots Network aims to strengthen communities with the support of those who share a special passion for the region.

We want to unite people and businesses behind a vision for a vibrant, competitive North East full of opportunity. The initiative is for people with links to the area who would like to give back. You may have been born or educated, or have lived or worked, in the North East.
Anyone who cares about the region and its people is welcome to get involved…

Our goal

Through the North East Roots Fund, we aim to:
  • Inspire people with a passion for the North East to give back
  • Celebrate the global impact and success stories of people from the North East
  • Address regional inequalities, build aspiration and create opportunity
  • Promote, and rally behind, a vision of a thriving, beautiful and competitive North East
  • Grow an active network motivated to unleash the region’s potential
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Our mission

The North East Roots initiative will direct funding, expertise and talent toward building pathways to opportunity for people in the region who need them most. We will support organisations and programmes focused on tackling poverty “upstream” by boosting access to economic opportunity at each stage of life. Specifically, this may include:
  • Young children: Wrap around educational needs, including holiday playschemes
  • Young people 16+: Vocational and alternative education and skills-building for those at risk of becoming NEET
  • STEM education and programmes specific to emerging North East industries (green industry, the creative and cultural sector, advanced manufacturing)
  • Young adults: Support for entrepreneurship, innovation, self-employment/business start-ups for young adults facing social and economic barriers
  • Adults and families: programmes to help people facing barriers to work and social mobility, including childcare, health and mental health barriers

How to get involved

1.

Give

Donations of all levels to the Fund are gratefully received. Anyone who pledges to give or raise at least £1,000 by the end of 2025 will be recognised as a member of our North East Roots Founder’s Club. Every donation will be split 50/50 between endowment (invested to produce funds for grants in perpetuity) and funding for immediate grants, meaning we can build lasting impact while also addressing community needs right away. With the support of generous Community Foundation donors we can match donations received before the end of 2025, making your gift go even further.
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2.

Join

The North East Roots Fund is a network like no others. Sign up for updates on the Fund and our future events, and stay in touch with others who share your passion for giving back to the North East. Contact John Hollingsworth, Chief Philanthropy Officer using the contact form at the bottom of the page, and follow the Community Foundation on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram for updates.

3.

Share your story

The Community Foundation would like to celebrate inspiring stories from the North East’s expat communities. We aim to feature stories of personal, professional and business success on this site and on social media. If you have a story you think could inspire others, please use the contact form below.
Get in touch

The North East Roots Fund

The North East Roots Fund is designed to help expats give back to the region and help to create pathways to opportunity for those facing the greatest barriers. Donations at all levels are encouraged.

£400k donated by people with a passion for the North East

All donations matched 1:1

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Community Organisations Supported by the Fund

Cramlington Voluntary Youth Project

A grant provided environmental project skills development through camps in rural Northumberland

North East STEM Foundation

Support from the North East Roots Fund will mean at least 1,600 children from 48 primary schools will benefit from STEM activities and events across the region.

RTC North – STEMFest

a grant supported a major event in Sunderland designed to engage 3000 primary and secondary school pupils in STEM careers, with a particular focus on the more disadvantaged areas of the region.

Pallion Action Group

Funding provided support to young people and families in Sunderland

Skills4 Work Gateshead

A grant has helped to support young people with disabilities to transition from education to the workplace

Tyne Rivers Trust

A grant supported the conservation of the River Tyne’s watershed

Northumberland National Park Authority

The North East Roots Fund became the lead funder of a special artistic commission that will celebrate the legacy of Sycamore Gap following the felling of the tree last year. As a result of our support, the remains of the tree will be installed in an exhibition at The Sill National Landscape Centre, so that thousands of local young people as well as visitors to the region will be able to engage in the story of the landmark and the local environment.

North East Roots Homecoming

North East Roots Homecoming was a celebration of our region’s global reach and provides opportunities for anyone with a passion for the region to reconnect and give back.
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Get involved

We are eager to hear from people who want to given talent, time and resource to organisations and projects in the North East. Please provide your details:
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Community Foundation North East
Philanthropy House
Woodbine Road
Gosforth
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE3 1DD

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