The North East Environment Fund (formerly Local Environmental Action Fund/LEAF) was set up in 2006 as a dedicated resource to help people tackle global environment issues in the local area. It remains the Community Foundation’s primary vehicle for supporting the region’s natural assets and resources.

You can contribute towards a fund that will actively support environmental grant making in perpetuity. Following the announcement made at our environment conference in April 2026, we are demonstrating our commitment to supporting this issue by matching new contributions at a rate of 1:1 up to a value of £25,000. 

As a collective giving fund, your money will be pooled with others, so a greater impact can be made. The matched donations will go directly toward grant-making. If you would prefer to make a donation to the Fund’s endowment, please contact us: [email protected]

How will my money make a difference? 

Your money will be used to support a wide range of projects through grants made from the Fund. Projects that have benefitted recently include:

•    A forest school programme for young people
•    Woodland rejuvenation and management
•    Developing a nature garden
•    the creation of a climate action collective in the local community
•    the purchase of a rainwater collection and drip irrigation system to increase growing capacity
•    creating a bee friendly wildflower meadow and outdoor classroom 

About the Community Foundation North East

At the Community Foundation North East we nurture giving and philanthropy, matching generous people with our region's important community causes. Every year, we award grants to hundreds of small charities in the North East through funds set up by our donors. Since being established in 1988, the Foundation has awarded over £185 million in grants.

The Community Foundation North East is a Registered Charity No. 700510. Limited Company No. 2273708