Our approach

Our approach, in all that we do is to fight poverty and enrich lives.

How we work

We work with donors and supporters who want to make a difference in the lives of local people and who join us in our mission to fight poverty and enrich lives.

Whether in a specific location or area of interest, our donors and supporters channel their giving through Point North. They trust us to direct funds to where the need is greatest.

We manage the process of getting those funds to the places where they can make the most difference to the most people.

This is done through grants to community groups or voluntary organisations, distributed via an application process.

We work in partnership with the community groups or voluntary organisations that receive our grants to demonstrate the impact of the grant and show our donors just how much their support means.

Making a difference

When I sold my business in Derwentside, I decided to give something back to the local community where I had been successful. I decided the community foundation model suited my needs best as they could match up my area of benefit with local good causes. That was back in 1995 and since then, from an initial donation of £75,934 plus Gift Aid, the I’Anson Endowment Fund has distributed £73,820 to community projects in Derwentside.

The fund has now more than doubled in value. I chose to leave the decision-making to the team at Point North as they know where support is most needed and am always surprised and delighted when I receive my quarterly statements to see what difference the funding is making to projects close to where my business was located. A very satisfying result for all concerned.

– Mark I’Anson, I’Anson Family Endowment Fund

Where we work

Our donors and supporters come from all over the world, but they’re united by wanting to make a difference to people in County Durham and the wider North East.

We have funding available for projects and organisations working in County Durham to Darlington, Tees Valley and the wider North East, as well as some specific funds in Scotland and North Yorkshire.

Grant Giving Approach

Our approach in all we do is to fight poverty and enrich lives.

Because of this, we often choose to talk about our grantmaking in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), developed by the United Nations.

The United Nations has outlined 17 SDGs. Together, they are a global plan for peace and prosperity for people and the planet.

Each goal focuses on a different element of improving life for people and the planet. Most importantly, they recognise that to end poverty, we also need strategies that;

improve health and education
reduce inequality
spur economic growth
and all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests.

Using SDGs means we can be clear about how our grant making is addressing not only the immediate needs of communities but also contributing to longer-term sustainability, creating a brighter future for generations to come.

Our Sustainable Development Goals

At Point North, we focus our grant making around five SDGs, they are:

SDGs help us collaborate with partners, donors, other charities, and government bodies.

Often, our grants help progress more than one goal, allowing our supporters to see a broader impact, and our communities to make a sustainable difference.