How businesses in County Durham and Tees Valley can start giving back
Sarah Cairns
Relationship Manager
I’ve been speaking to business owners across across County Durham and Tees Valley who want to give back.
They care deeply about the place they call home. They feel proud of the businesses they are building. And they want their success to mean something.
For many businesses, the intention to give back is there. The pride in place is there. But the hesitation lies in timing.
“We’re still small.”
“Maybe next financial year.”
“Once we’ve grown a bit more.”
All completely understandable and honest. But fighting poverty doesn’t wait on the right time.
Pride in place
This is a region built on graft, loyalty and community.
Businesses here care about the places that shaped them. They care about their staff. They care about their neighbours. They want their success to mean something.
Business giving in County Durham and Tees Valley is not about grand gestures. It’s about backing the communities that back you.
Giving can start small
There’s a myth that corporate giving must be grand to count. It absolutely doesn’t.
Your giving can start small.
It can start with a monthly donation. It can start with a conversation. It can even start with a promise.
By becoming a Point North Changemaker, businesses can contribute from £50 a month to support communities across County Durham and Tees Valley. It’s simple, collective and powerful.
When businesses give together, the small monthly contributions become significant community investment. They fund youth projects, community hubs and support services. They reach people who are doing the hard work on the ground.
Small, consistent giving builds long-term change.
You don’t have to wait until you feel “ready”. You just have to begin.
Or start with a promise
For growing businesses, cash flow matters. Investment matters. Survival matters. That’s why we have the Founders Promise.
It’s simple. You commit to share a portion of your future success. So, when your business grows, you start supporting local communities.
It’s not pressure. It’s purpose.
It says: this place shaped me. When I succeed, I’ll help it succeed too.
That promise creates a culture. It signals values to your team. It shows leadership beyond profit.
Your workforce is local. Your customers are local. Your reputation is local.
When your business succeeds, your community should too.
The pledge simply makes that intention clear.
Fight poverty and enrich lives today
Across County Durham and Tees Valley, families are facing impossible choices. Heating or eating. Travel to work or food on the table. Opportunity or survival.
Communities need support now. If we all wait until we feel completely ready, poverty increases.
Businesses here in County Durham and Tees Valley are ambitious. They work hard. They innovate. They create jobs, solve problems and dig in when the going gets tough.
If they’re using some of that energy to help us fight poverty and enrich lives for local people, we’re unstoppable!
You don’t have to be a large corporation.
You don’t need a CSR department.
You don’t need a perfect strategy.
You just need to care enough to make a start.
Start small. Start with a pledge. Start with intention. Because business giving isn’t about scale. It’s about commitment.
So, if not now, then when?
Let’s have a conversation
If you’re ready to make a start, or simply want to understand your options, let’s talk.
If you’re based in County Durham
If your business is based or headquartered in County Durham, or the wider North East and beyond, get in touch with our Relationship Manager, Sarah Cairns
If you’re based in Tees Valley
If your business is based or headquartered in Tees Valley, get in touch with our Relationship Manager, Jane Reynolds MBE
