Northern Powergrid Foundation provides grants of between £1,000 and £20,000 for local communities in North East England, Yorkshire, and north Lincolnshire to become more resilient to energy changes as well to promote greener energy.

The funding supports diverse communities affected by economic, environmental and societal changes due to the shifting energy landscape.

The current funding priorities are:

  • Energy Resilience during emergency events – enhancing community facilities, services and communication, and providing support to households in Northern Powergrid’s regions during prolonged periods without power.
  • Vulnerability – protecting the welfare of vulnerable people in the communities served by Northern Powergrid particularly during extended power cuts by enhancing their resilience and supporting them to prepare for emergency situations.
  • Fuel Poverty – helping to prevent and relieve those in fuel poverty through educational advice and support programmes.
  • Levelling the rural divide – supporting communities who are particularly remote or isolated and have experienced power cuts due to poor weather in the past.
  • Innovation – using innovative or transformational solutions to improve energy resilience for households in Northern Powergrid’s regions.
  • Collaboration – supporting communities or groups who work together to tackle issues to improve energy resilience.
  • Charities – supporting existing charitable organisations or groups whose remit is to enhance energy resilience across Northern Powergrid’s regions.

The grants must be used to cover costs that are directly connected to carrying out the charitable activities that the Charity Trustees have agreed to fund.

A range of organisations can apply including but not limited to parish councils, village halls, community hubs and community centres, community associations, community trusts, community partnerships, etc.  (Sports clubs and associations may not apply for this funding.)

There are normally two funding rounds per year.

The first round is now open with a deadline for applications of 11 May 2025.