Note: This post is about the 2023 Welcome Spaces fund, which has now expired. To apply for a 2024 Welcome Spaces fund, please click here.
County Durham Community Foundation has rebranded to Point North, in all our articles written before the rebrand, we’ve kept references to County Durham Community Foundation for accuracy.
The Welcome Spaces (previously called Warm Spaces) fund for organisations in County Durham is open now with grants of up to £3,000 to host free, weekly community spaces, open for all.
Watch this short video explaining how you could use a Welcome Spaces grant, or scroll down to keep reading.
We’re working together with Durham County Council with a combined total fund of £280,000 – you can apply for up to £3,000 and it must be used for projects happening in the Durham County Council area.
Your Welcome Space needs to be:
- open at least weekly
- free to access
- free hot drinks
The grant can go towards a range of things, including the provision of hot drinks, extra furniture, energy bills, staff time and even transport for visitors.
Deadline to apply
There isn’t an application deadline, but the funding must be used in full by 30 April 2024, so the next steps are:
- read the fund guidelines
- talk to other community groups in your local area to see if you can work together, find Welcome Spaces near you on Durham Locate
- get in touch with our team if you have any further questions
- make your application online
Last year (2023) we were able to fund 137 spaces, meaning over 16,500 people were able to access warm, inclusive and welcoming spaces during the winter months.
