Our Grants
Giving our communities the power they need to thrive
Our Foundation exists to help communities turn their energy challenges into opportunities. This will mean different things to each community.
Whether it’s preparing for future energy needs or helping communities stay safe and connected during tough times, we’re proud to fund and stand alongside those making a positive impact to the people living and working in their area.
To get started applying for any of our grants, log-in to the applicant dashboard. You’ll be asked to tell us about you and your organisation, and to register your interest in your chosen grant, where available.
How our communities are benefitting?
Read about how communities have benefitted from Northern Powergrid Foundation's support.
Our Priorities
Launching our new strategy in 2026 means we are in a position to broaden the support we provide. We will launch a series of new funding programmes across our three strategic priorities.
Enhancing Resilience
Extreme weather is hitting harder, and rural communities can face days without power.
We’re here to help. Our Foundation funds upgrades to community spaces such as village halls and community centres, turning them into warm, safe spaces with backup energy. These hubs stay open during emergencies and keep vital activities running.
But many buildings are old and costly to heat. Without support, they risk closing, leaving communities without a lifeline. We believe these spaces should thrive, not disappear.
Energy Resilience Grant
Our flagship programme, Grant funding of up to £20,000 is available for communities to deliver energy resilience projects, such as installing solar panels and battery backup systems. These projects aim to create safe, warm spaces for people to gather during emergencies like power cuts or floods, while also incorporating a small focus on energy efficiency.
We are currently open to Expressions of Interest!
Find out more
Creating Opportunities
Our region faces big challenges.
Nearly 1 in 5 areas are among England’s most deprived. Urban communities struggle with inequality, while rural areas battle poor services, fewer jobs, and weak digital access. Poverty here is often hidden and overlooked.
Local charities work hard to help, but limited funding and resources hold them back. We’re here to change that.
No community should be left behind.
Creating Opportunities Funding Programmes are in Development
As part of our strategy, we are developing new funding programmes designed to help communities access new opportunities.
This programme is expected to include flexible funding options to enable community groups to pilot new ideas, scale successful initiatives, or invest in the tools and facilities they need to grow.
Overcoming barriers
Small charities are under pressure.
Rising energy bills, fewer donations, and extra costs are making survival harder- just as demand is soaring. Last year, 9% of people turned to charities for food, medical, or financial help, up from 3% five years ago.
Many charities are cutting services, burning through savings, or closing altogether. A recent survey shows 80% expect to struggle with energy costs, and over a third fear they won’t survive.
These local charities are lifelines. We’re here to help them stay open and keep supporting the people who need them most.
Together, we can keep vital services running.
Warm Spaces Support Fund Pilot
The programme offers flexible grants of £250- £1000 to eligible organisations with an annual income of under £50,000. Funding can be used to maintain, enhance or expand warm hub or warm space activities.
You must be an established warm space and deliver your warm hub or warm space primarily from a location within the 30% most deprived areas in England, according to the latest Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD). This equates to IMD Deciles 1, 2 or 3.
What we fund
The programme takes a flexible, needs-led approach. Applicants are encouraged to request support for the item or resources that will make the biggest difference to their warm hub/space. We welcome a wide range of requests, provided they directly benefit local people and align with the aims of the programme.
Find out more
Overcoming Barriers Funding Programmes are in Development
We are also developing further Overcoming Barriers funding programme, designed to support organisations working to address deeper or longer-term challenges.
This strand is likely to offer longer-term support, aiming to help remove the barriers that hold communities back.
Have you got a community project that requires funding?
We will be opening funding rounds throughout 2026!
Driving Impact Beyond Funding
Many charities are seeing more demand but have less money to give. And sometimes, funding alone isn’t what a charity really needs or it’s not enough.
Many of the groups we support are very small, often run entirely by volunteers. They don’t have paid staff to manage day-to-day operations or deliver funded projects, and they usually can’t afford outside help.
We know funding alone isn’t always enough. That’s why we’re also investing in:
- Education & Training – helping organisations understand and manage their energy use.
- Partnerships – working with others to scale our impact.
- Advocacy – amplifying community voices to influence change.
- Volunteering – connecting Northern Powergrid colleagues with organisations who need specialist skills.
