The Regional Funding Divide

Analysis of £12 billion in grant funding (2023-2024) reveals stark geographic variations in both availability and success rates.

Region	Funding Per Capita	Trend
London	£285 per person	↑ Growing
South East	£142 per person	→ Stable
Scotland	£178 per person	↑ Growing
North West	£156 per person	↑ Growing
Wales	£165 per person	→ Stable
East Midlands	£98 per person	↓ Declining

Why Geography Matters

1. Local Foundation Concentration

Community foundations and local trusts are geographically restricted. Areas with active philanthropic history have denser funder networks.

High-Density Regions:

• London: 450+ grant-making foundations
• Greater Manchester: 85+ local funders
• Yorkshire: 70+ community foundations
• Birmingham/West Midlands: 65+ regional trusts

2. Levelling Up Fund Priority Areas

Government policy concentrates funding in specific "levelling up" priority areas, particularly former industrial regions.

Category 1 Priority (Highest Need):

Blackpool, Middlesbrough, Hull, Stoke-on-Trent, Burnley—significant government funding targeting these areas.

3. Devolved Nation Advantages

Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have dedicated national funding streams unavailable to English regions:

Scotland: Scottish Government funds, National Lottery Scotland, Creative Scotland
Wales: Welsh Government grants, Community Facilities Programme, Arts Council Wales
Northern Ireland: Community Relations Council, Sports NI, Arts Council NI

Emerging Funding Hotspots (2024-2025)

Bristol & Bath

Why: Growing tech sector, university partnerships, climate innovation focus

Key funders: Bristol City Council innovation fund, Bath & North East Somerset grants, Quartet Community Foundation

Leeds & Yorkshire

Why: Northern Powerhouse investment, strong community foundation network

Key funders: Leeds Community Foundation, Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust, Joseph Rowntree Foundation

Glasgow & Central Scotland

Why: COP26 legacy funding, culture capital investments

Key funders: Robertson Trust, Corra Foundation, Scottish Government Climate funds

Newcastle & North East

Why: Levelling Up investments, health innovation corridors

Key funders: Community Foundation Tyne & Wear, Northern Rock Foundation, North East LEP

Strategic Implications for Grant Seekers

If You're in a High-Funding Area:

✓ More opportunities but higher competition
✓ Research local funders thoroughly—many restrict to specific postcodes
✓ Emphasize local partnerships and community roots
✓ Stand out through innovation or underserved niches

If You're in a Low-Funding Area:

✓ Target national funders who don't restrict geographically
✓ Emphasize rural/underserved area status as strength
✓ Look for "levelling up" priority area designation
✓ Build relationships with nearest community foundation
✓ Consider regional collaborations to access larger funding

Cross-Border Opportunities

Many organizations miss funding by not looking beyond their immediate region:

Smart Geographic Strategy:

• National funders: No geographic restrictions (Wellcome Trust, Garfield Weston, etc.)
• Regional overlaps: Border areas can access multiple regional funds
• Virtual delivery: Online services can bid into multiple geographic funding pots
• Beneficiary location: Some funders care where beneficiaries are, not where you're based

Conclusion

Geographic funding patterns reflect history, policy priorities, and philanthropic concentration. Understanding your area's position in this landscape helps you target the right opportunities and position your work strategically.

TL;DR: Geographic Funding Patterns

✓ London receives highest per-capita funding (£285/person)
✓ Devolved nations have dedicated funding streams
✓ Levelling Up priorities concentrate funding in specific areas
✓ Emerging hotspots: Bristol, Leeds, Glasgow, Newcastle
✓ Low-funding areas: Target national funders, emphasize underserved status
✓ Consider cross-border and virtual delivery strategies