The Reece Family Trust is led by its founder and Chair, Sue Reece, who established the Trust with her husband, John Reece MBE. Formerly the LGA Foundation, it was born from a simple belief, that success brings with it a responsibility to give something back.
Having built their businesses and spent their lives in the North East, Sue and John wanted to invest in the communities that had supported them. John is an engineer and entrepreneur who built and led engineering businesses in the North East over many years. Sue has lived in and loved the North East for more than forty years, and today she guides the Trust's giving as its Chair.
Named after their three children, Lauren, Greg and Ali, the Trust reflects the whole family's values. Rather than delivering services itself, it provides flexible funding to grassroots charities and community organisations already making a difference, helping them grow and reach more people.
For Sue, the real measure of success is the impact those organisations go on to make. Across the North East that has meant charities growing their capacity, opening new services and improving thousands of lives, from tackling food poverty to widening access to mental health support.
“I believe the Trust is about making Newcastle a better place to live, primarily by supporting the disadvantaged, but also through other projects such as improving the parks and planting trees.”
"What we are most passionate about is supporting grassroots charities. They understand their communities better than anyone, and with the right support they can achieve extraordinary things."
Sue Reece, Chair
The Trust is named for Lauren, Greg and Ali. Each of them cares about something different, and together that shapes what we fund. Click any of them to read their story.
Looking after your mental health as well as your physical health is so important, and I am pleased we work with projects helping people to do this, particularly young women.Read Lauren's story →
As a sports fan, supporting sport has played an important role in my own wellbeing. I am pleased we support organisations making sport more accessible, particularly for young people.Read Greg's story →
Spending time outdoors is key for wellbeing. Initiatives like the Duke of Edinburgh's Award are a great way to engage young people, teach life skills and empower them.Read Ali's story →
Alongside the family, the Trust is guided by trustees who give their time, experience and judgement to how we give.
Born and raised in the North East, Dianne has guided the Trust's grant-making for seven years.
“It shouldn't matter where you come from, or how you were supported growing up. Everyone deserves to have dreams, and a real chance of reaching them.”
A Newcastle man his whole life, John describes himself as a “recovering lawyer” with connections right across the North East charity world.
“Some people are just unlucky, they don't have much of a chance to shine. It's important that those who are more fortunate find a way of putting an arm around some of them.”
Applications are circulated to our trustees. For larger grants we may arrange a visit so we can understand your work properly before we decide.
We have a rolling programme with no fixed deadline, and we are always happy to consider repeat requests. We are also keen to co-fund with other grant-makers so that, by working together, we can help more people.
Family charitable trust, formerly the LGA Foundation
Area: Tyneside and South Northumberland
Grants reviewed monthly (under £2,000) and quarterly (over £2,000)
Awards of up to two years for larger grants
Organisations and groups. We do not encourage applications from individuals
Monthly stories from the projects we fund across the North East.