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Winscales Moor Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund
The Winscales Moor Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund provides grants for charitable activities benefiting communities located close to the Winscales Moor Wind Farm. Administered by Cumbria Community Foundation with support from donor Gravis Capital Management Ltd, this fund supports volunteer-led community groups and local partnerships in the parishes of Winscales, Great Clifton and Little Clifton. The fund prioritizes environmental, educational, and community-related charitable activities that create lasting benefits for local residents. The fund particularly encourages projects that promote sustainable use of energy and resources, biodiversity and habitat conservation, and increased use of renewable energy. Eligible activities include improvements to community buildings, energy conservation projects, hedge restoration and wildflower planting schemes, and free information events about domestic or solar power. Both capital items with tangible lasting benefits and running costs are supported, though salary funding is limited to a maximum of four hours per week. There are no minimum or maximum award amounts, providing flexibility for projects of various scales. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with specific deadline dates published on the Cumbria Community Foundation website. The fund will not support individuals or activities covered under the foundation's normal exclusions.
Wing Cdr. H. Thompson MBE & Rev. J. L. Green Grassroots Grants Fund
This fund provides grants to charitable volunteer-led grassroots groups in the Barrow-in-Furness area that support young people's personal development, education, and involvement in the community and environmental initiatives. The fund is established by a private individual donor and administered through Cumbria Community Foundation. Priority is given to projects supporting training in leadership, self-discipline, and life skills for young people, respect for the environment, and supporting disadvantaged young people. Examples of supported projects include Ocean Youth Trust sailing trips for disadvantaged young people, equipment for judo or karate clubs, training costs for Scouts or Guides, and running costs or building repairs for Sea Cadets. The fund specifically serves charitable volunteer-led grassroots groups in the Barrow-in-Furness area of Cumbria, England.
Tallentire Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund
The Tallentire Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund provides grants to volunteer-led community groups and local partnerships that support local, environmental, educational, sporting amenity or other appropriate not-for-profit initiatives close to the Tallentire Wind Farm. The fund is managed by Cumbria Community Foundation and funded by RES. The fund supports charitable community activities that are community-related, environmental, or educational in nature. Priority areas include activities for disadvantaged young people, community events, improvements to community facilities, projects that support environmental sustainability, projects to improve the energy efficiency of residents on low incomes, and projects identified as needed by the local communities in the Community Investment Strategy. The minimum grant is £500, with exceptional single grants of up to £10,000 available for one year. Multi-year applications will also be considered.
Staff 10th Anniversary Fund
The Staff 10th Anniversary Fund provides grants for projects which support the Foundation's priorities in two main themes: Improving Lives and Strengthening Communities. Under Improving Lives, the fund addresses reducing poverty, reaching potential, improving health, and tackling social inequality. Under Strengthening Communities, it supports nurturing sense of place and acting on climate change. The fund was established by former and current staff of Cumbria Community Foundation to support both charitable groups and individuals in Cumbria. Example projects include specialized equipment for disabled children, travel costs for elderly individuals, hospitality and cooking courses for socially disadvantaged young people, and community sports days. Grants normally range up to £1,000 over one year, though there is no maximum award amount. The fund is currently closed and will not accept applications again until April 2026.
Pappagallino Fund
The Pappagallino Fund provides grants to charitable and not-for-profit organisations in Cumbria to improve health and wellbeing by addressing social and rural isolation or for projects that protect the environment as well as support the farming and rural community. Priority is given to projects that improve mental health, make long-term strategic investment in people or the organisation, offer inclusive activities and reduce isolation, support older people, and leverage additional funds. This fund is supported by an anonymous donor and aims to support organisations making a meaningful impact in the rural and farming communities of Cumbria while addressing critical issues of isolation and wellbeing.
Nuvia Fund
The Nuvia Fund provides grants for voluntary community groups and organisations that promote the long-term sustainability of areas local to the Nuvia site and project activities in the former boroughs of Allerdale and Copeland. The fund is administered by Cumbria Community Foundation and supported by Nuvia Limited. Priority is given to projects that improve skills for disadvantaged people, improve employability of young people, promote healthier, safer, and more resilient communities, and have environmental or sustainability initiatives. The fund supports grassroots community groups and local partnerships working to make a positive impact in West Cumbria. Grants typically range from £500 to £1,000 over one year to support community-based projects such as wildlife gardens, youth activities and workshops, and educational environmental activities for disadvantaged young people.
myLakeland Community Fund
The myLakeland Community Fund provides grants to charitable organizations that improve the health and wellbeing of local people and projects that protect the environment, with a priority for those located in South Cumbria. The fund is supported by Lakeland Limited, a retail company founded in Windermere that has retained its principal headquarters and distribution facilities in Windermere and Kendal. Priority is given to projects that support community needs in or around Windermere, Kendal, and South Lakeland; support young people; have minimal opportunity for raising funds or have exhausted other funding opportunities; and help address new or emerging needs. The fund explicitly does not support individuals, environmental projects primarily related to tree planting, or arts-related projects.
Moorhouse Grassroots Grants Fund
The Moorhouse Grassroots Grants Fund provides financial support for small voluntary and community groups and organisations to enable them to continue or expand their work in advocacy, community voice, and service provision for local people in Cumbria. The fund was established by donor James Carr, a former Trustee of Cumbria Community Foundation. Preference is given to groups in North Cumbria, with priority for projects that support disadvantaged children and young people and tackle disadvantage in rural communities. The fund supports small, volunteer-led grassroots or community groups helping people facing disadvantage. Grants normally range between £500 and £5,000 over one year, though there is no maximum award amount. Examples of supported projects include creative arts therapy for children, staff costs for family support groups, counselling costs for people with mental health issues, engaging residents in river maintenance and habitat work, and wellbeing environmental work.
Matson Ground Fund
The Matson Ground Fund provides grants for charitable organisations to bring people together to address shared challenges, foster social action, and improve local spaces in Cumbria. The Fund aims to strengthen communities and improve people's lives through local, community-led projects, respond flexibly to emerging needs, and support creative ideas to tackle social or environmental issues while enabling communities to be more resilient in the long term. The Fund aligns with the Cumbria Lieutenancy's Strategy launched in September 2025. Donors Alex and Samantha Scott established this fund to support small, grassroots charitable, not-for-profit, and volunteer-led organisations based in Cumbria. The Fund is particularly interested in projects that support young people in rural and underserved communities, address the needs of vulnerable or underrepresented groups, promote volunteering and civic participation, champion environmental sustainability, and create opportunities for collective action on local priorities.
Laidlaw Fund for the Environment
The Laidlaw Fund for the Environment provides grants for volunteer-led, community, and charitable groups undertaking projects that benefit wildlife habitat protection and education of the natural environment in Carlisle and the surrounding area. Eleanor Laidlaw created the fund in recognition and memory of her parents who instilled in her a lifelong love of nature, with the goal of educating future generations in the wonder and beauty of the natural world. The fund supports local environment and habitat initiatives, activities that inform and educate such as forest schools, environmental and habitat workshops, and activities that encourage involvement in protection and enhancement of the natural environment. Grants are designed to help community organizations promote conservation and protection of the natural environment in the Carlisle region. Grants will normally be between £500 – £1,000, though there is no maximum award amount. Organizations interested in applying should contact the Cumbria Community Foundation for further information about eligibility and the application process.
Kirkby Moor Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund
The Kirkby Moor Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund provides grants for not-for-profit or charitable activities for communities located close to the Kirkby Moor Wind Farm. The fund is managed by Cumbria Community Foundation and funded by Nadara. It supports volunteer-led community groups or local partnerships which benefit communities within eight kilometres from the Kirkby Moor Wind Farm, with priority given to projects located in the core red area. The fund specifically supports charitable community activities that are environmental, educational, sporting, amenity-related, community-focused, or supporting equal opportunities. Priority is given to projects that promote sustainable use of energy and resources, environmental improvements, energy efficiency initiatives, community composting, local food production, and educational events about efficient resource use. Examples of funded activities include projects promoting sustainable energy and resource use, environmental improvements to community facilities, energy efficiency projects for low-income residents and community facilities, community composting schemes, projects promoting local produce and reducing food miles, hedge restoration and wildflower planting schemes, and free educational events on efficient use of resources and energy. Multi-year applications are also considered.
Jeffrey Bond Memorial Fund
The Jeffrey Bond Memorial Fund provides grants to support nature conservation and environmental projects in Cumbria. Established through a legacy gift from Jeffrey Bond, the fund prioritizes small, volunteer-led charitable and not-for-profit groups working to protect and enhance the natural environment. The fund supports a range of environmental activities including habitat creation and restoration, species conservation, upland path repair and maintenance, hedge restoration, and wildflower planting schemes. Grants are typically awarded up to £2,000 over one year to organizations working on practical conservation projects that involve volunteers and benefit Cumbria's natural heritage.
High Pow Community Fund
The High Pow Community Fund provides grants to voluntary and community groups for charitable activities that are environmental, community or education-related, and which benefit the communities in the Parish of Boltons, located close to the High Pow Wind Farm in Cumberland. The fund is managed by Cumbria Community Foundation and sponsored by High Pow Wind Farm Limited. Grants are available for voluntary groups, community groups, or local partnerships which benefit the residents of Boltons Parish. Examples of previously supported projects include maintenance and upkeep of the parish church and village hall, replacement boilers for community centres, building renovation of childcare units, and provision for hot meals for pre-school children. The fund will not support individuals in addition to the foundation's normal exclusions.
Hellrigg Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund
The Hellrigg Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund provides grants for charitable activities to communities located close to the Hellrigg Wind Farm in Cumbria, England. The fund is provided by RWE Renewables UK Ltd and administered by Cumbria Community Foundation. It supports volunteer-led and community groups in the Parishes of Silloth-on-Solway, Holme St Cuthbert's, Holme Low, and Holme Abbey. The fund focuses on charitable community activities that are community-related, environmental, or educational in nature. Priority areas include activities for disadvantaged young people, community events, improvements to community facilities, projects supporting environmental sustainability, and initiatives to improve energy efficiency for residents on low incomes. The minimum grant available is £500, with exceptional single grants of up to £10,000 available for one year. Multi-year applications are also considered.
Geoffrey Blake Architectural Heritage Fund
The Geoffrey Blake Architectural Heritage Fund provides grants to volunteer-led and charitable groups for community-based projects of architectural merit in Cumbria that enhance people's experience and understanding of the built environment. The fund was created by a private individual in memory of her father, who had a long-standing interest in historical architecture. Projects must have full public access and demonstrate clear community benefit. Supported projects include renovation of community features and landmarks such as watering holes, crosses and memorials; renovation of features of public buildings with particular architectural merit; creation of new work including sculptures and other built features; and reconstruction of historically significant bridleways. The fund does not support individuals or major building renovations. Grants typically range from £500 to £1,000, though there is no maximum award amount.
Genesis Homes Community Fund
The Genesis Homes Community Fund provides grants to charitable and not-for-profit organisations to enable them to support their local communities. Priority is given to projects in communities where Genesis Homes have building sites. The fund supports organisations dedicated to helping people facing challenges and making a positive impact in their communities. Priority areas include improving the lives of children and families in need of extra support, providing care and connection for older people, promoting health and wellbeing, and building stronger, more resilient communities. Examples of previously supported projects include equipment for sports training to encourage participation and wellbeing, environmental improvements to enhance community spaces, inclusive activities that bring people together and foster social connections, and projects that create new opportunities for young people in rural areas.
Fairfield Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund
The Fairfield Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund provides grants for charitable groups providing activities for local communities located close to the Fairfield Wind Farm in Pica, Cumbria. This fund is operated by Fairfield Windfarm Ltd and managed by EDF Energy Renewables in partnership with Cumbria Community Foundation. The fund supports volunteer-led community groups and local partnerships that benefit the Parishes of Parton, Lowca, Distington, and Moresby. Priority is given to charitable community activities that are environmental, educational, or community-related in nature. The fund particularly welcomes projects focused on environmental sustainability, improvements to community facilities, energy efficiency improvements for residents on low incomes, and projects identified as needed by local communities in the North Copeland Partnership Plan. Multi-year applications are also considered under this fund.
Cumbria Fund
The Cumbria Fund provides grants for charitable projects that address Cumbria Community Foundation's two key priorities: Improving Lives and Strengthening Communities. Theme 1: Improving Lives focuses on reducing poverty by providing opportunities for financial stability including support for financial advice, food and fuel security, and housing stability; reaching potential by empowering people, especially children and young people, through education, skills development, and personal growth; improving health by addressing unmet health needs, reducing inequalities, and promoting wellbeing including mental health services; and tackling social inequality by promoting equality, inclusion, and social justice for those facing systemic barriers. Theme 2: Strengthening Communities focuses on nurturing sense of place by creating stronger, more inclusive communities where people feel connected, safe, and supported; and acting on climate change through local action that builds environmental resilience and empowers communities to respond to the climate crisis. The fund prioritises revenue (operational) costs over capital (infrastructure or equipment) costs for more immediate and sustained impact. Examples of supported projects include advisory services on tackling debt and benefit entitlement, youth mentoring and skills development programmes, community mental health drop-in sessions, language classes for refugees and asylum seekers, digital access support in rural communities, and community-led climate action workshops.
Crofton Trust Fund
The Crofton Trust Fund provides grants to support community projects which educate the public about agriculture, forestry, and the countryside environment. The fund also helps maintain woodland, agricultural land and buildings for educational purposes. Funded by the Crofton Charitable Trust and administered by Cumbria Community Foundation, this grant program supports voluntary and community groups in Cumbria working on agricultural and environmental education initiatives. Eligible activities include exhibitions and displays, lecture series, practical demonstration projects, and conferences that enhance public understanding of agriculture, forestry, and the countryside.