search icon
Back

Digital Newsroom

Sage brings expert support to North East charities to help them reach more people

Local charities have received support across AI, governance, recruitment and marketing, helping them strengthen their organisations and put new skills into practice

Newcastle, UK, 26th August 2026 - Sage, the leader in accounting, financial, HR and payroll technology for small and medium-sized businesses, has chosen the North East to bring its global Sage Foundation Grow programme to the UK for the first time, recognising the region it was founded in.

The programme has provided four North East charities with expert support over a five-month period, across governance, recruitment, marketing and AI, helping them build more sustainable organisations and reach more people in local communities.

During this time, leaders from 4Louis, FareShare North East, The Meadows and Cramlington Voluntary Youth Project (CVYP) have worked alongside a group of Sage leaders drawing on their expertise to tackle key challenges across areas including business planning, governance, exploring AI, marketing and communications.

For 4Louis, a Sunderland-based charity supporting families affected by miscarriage, stillbirth and child loss, the programme is already leading to changes in how it operates. CEO Bob McGurrell said: "Sage Foundation Grow has given us fresh perspectives and practical ideas that we're already putting into action. We're using what we've learned about governance and strategy to make important changes within the charity and put clearer plans in place for the future. It's helping us work more effectively, make better use of our time and resources, and build a stronger more sustainable organisation that can support more families for years to come."

Faye Willis, SEND Coordinator at CVYP, added: "Grow has really challenged us to think differently about our organisation. From knowing where to start updating our business plan and mission statement, to expanding our social media activity and having the confidence to explore how AI could help streamline day-to-day tasks. We’re already putting new ideas into practice. It means we can spend less time on admin and more time helping the children and families who need us in South-East Northumberland."

Newcastle was chosen for the first UK edition of the global programme, reflecting Sage’s deep roots in the region where the business was founded and home of its global headquarters. The UK launch builds on the programme’s global impact, having already supported 25 nonprofits across Spain, the US, Canada and Australia.

"Charities face many of the same challenges as any growing organisation" said Helen Devanny, VP, Sage Foundation. "What they don’t always have is the time, money or support to step back and work through those challenges and that’s where Sage Foundation Grow helps. By bringing charity leaders and Sage leaders together to share skills, experience and fresh perspectives to help these brilliant organisations spend more time doing what they do best - supporting people in their communities."

Find more information on Sage Foundation Grow. 

About Sage 

Sage, the leader in accounting, financial, HR and payroll technology for small and medium-sized businesses, exists to knock down barriers so everyone can thrive, starting with the millions of small and medium-sized businesses served by us, our partners and accountants. Customers trust our finance, HR and payroll software to make work and money flow. By digitalising business processes and relationships with customers, suppliers, employees, banks and governments, our AI-powered platform connects SMBs, removing friction and delivering insights. Knocking down barriers also means we use our time, technology and experience to tackle digital inequality, economic inequality and the climate crisis. 

Notes to editors

Sage Foundation Grow is a skills-based mentoring programme that brings charity leaders and Sage colleagues together to share ideas, tackle challenges and learn from one another. 

Following successful programmes in Spain, the US, Canada and Australia, Sage Foundation Grow has launched in the UK for the first time. The Newcastle programme brings together four North East charities and Sage colleagues to share skills, experience and support. 

Newcastle is Sage's UK home and is home to a thriving network of voluntary and community organisations. The programme brings local charities and Sage colleagues together to share skills, experience and support. 

The first UK programme includes 4Louis, FareShare North East, The Meadows and Cramlington Voluntary Youth Project, all based in the North East of England. 

Over five months, charity leaders work alongside Sage colleagues through a series of mentoring, learning and collaboration sessions, helping them tackle challenges, develop new ideas and plan for the future. 

Participants are already putting learning from the programme into practice, from updating business plans and strengthening governance to expanding communications activity and exploring how AI can help reduce administration. 

The programme aims to help charities build stronger foundations, develop new skills and find new ways to support the people and communities they serve.