Discover Funding Opportunities

Tesco Stronger Starts

Tesco Stronger Starts is a community grant program that provides funding to schools, registered charities, and not-for-profit organisations that support children and young people. The program aims to make a positive difference in communities where Tesco operates. Grants of up to £1,500 are available for local projects, with a particular focus on initiatives that incorporate a food component, such as breakfast clubs, holiday club lunches, or healthy snacks. Every three months, three local good causes are selected to participate in a blue token customer vote in Tesco stores throughout the UK. The program can fund 100% of project costs, so match funding is not required. Eligible projects include growing projects, breakfast and after-school clubs, sports clubs with food provision, holiday clubs with healthy meals, counselling and mental health support with healthy snacks, SEND provision, youth clubs, holiday hunger initiatives, healthy eating education, and foodbanks. The program has supported thousands of community projects since 2016 and is managed by the community charity Groundwork UK.

Winter Warmth Fund

The Winter Warmth Fund is an annual appeal run by Cumbria Community Foundation since 2010 to help vulnerable older people in Cumbria stay warm and healthy during winter months. The fund addresses the critical issue of excess winter deaths, which can be as high as 500 older people in a bad winter in the county. Grants are provided to older people aged 60 and over who struggle to heat their homes and feed themselves properly, helping them afford heating costs during the cold winter months. Last winter, the fund raised £486,260 and made 1,227 household grants benefitting 1,570 vulnerable older people across Cumbria. The grants are distributed through delivery partners Age UK and Copeland Age & Advice Service. The fund has raised more than £3 million since its inception to support Cumbria's most vulnerable older residents.

Workington (Ashfield) Lawn Tennis Club Fund

The Workington (Ashfield) Lawn Tennis Club Fund provides grants to charitable, not-for-profit organisations that promote or enable the provision of tennis coaching to young people in the former local authority of Allerdale. Priority is given to tennis coaching benefitting young people who reside in Workington and Maryport. The fund supports various tennis-related activities including the cost to employ a tennis coach, facility hire to enable young people to learn to play tennis, and tennis competition-related costs such as referee fees and trophies. Grants are normally awarded up to £4,500 over one year. This fund is administered by Cumbria Community Foundation and is supported by a private organisation donor.

Winter Warmth Fund (Individuals)

The Winter Warmth Fund provides grants to help older people in Cumbria stay warm and healthy during winter months. The fund is designed to assist individuals aged 60 or over who reside in Cumbria and receive a state pension and/or pension credit, or who struggle to maintain a basic acceptable standard of living during the winter due to the cost of heating their home. The program is funded by voluntary donations of winter fuel allowance payments, individual and local business donations, and community fundraising. Priority is given to those aged 80 and over, individuals with comorbidity or chronic underlying health conditions (particularly respiratory or coronary), those who live in hard-to-heat homes such as solid-walled properties or properties with poor insulation, and those dependent on heating oil, solid fuel, or without central heating. Additional priority is given to those who use electrical medical equipment, have savings of less than £10,000, and who have not previously received a grant. Applicants must apply through designated partner organizations including Age UK South Cumbria, Age UK North Cumbria, or Copeland Age & Advice Service. These organizations also provide free benefit checks and advice on tariff switching, energy efficiency measures, and other support services. The normal grant amount is £250, with £350 available in exceptional circumstances.

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.

William Milburn Charitable Trust Community First Fund

The William Milburn Charitable Trust Community First Fund provides grants for groups and organizations within the parish of Brampton and surrounding areas including Castle Carrock, Hethersgill, Askerton, Lanercost, Scaleby, Upper Denton, Walton, and Farlam. The fund supports projects which address local needs and create opportunities within the area that make a real difference to people in need and the wider community. Grants normally range up to £5,000 over one year, though larger grants may be awarded depending on the project. The fund has supported diverse projects including young carers support trips, community music festivals, tools for children to maintain school vegetable gardens, drop-in clinics for people with acute hearing loss, and installation of new kitchens in village halls. The fund is administered by Cumbria Community Foundation and is available to community groups and organizations that benefit residents in the priority geographic areas.

Westmorland Community Fund

The Westmorland Community Fund focuses on supporting the communities in which Westmorland Ltd colleagues live. Grants are available for projects that help these communities thrive, create a legacy and deliver long term benefits. The fund was established in 2009 by the Dunning Family of Westmorland Ltd, which includes Tebay Services, Rheged, Westmorland Hotel and J38 Truckstop. Priority is given to projects that help named communities to thrive, support young people to reach their potential, improve mental health and wellbeing, have synergies with the Westmorland Family's business interests around sustainable development and awareness of the value of local produce, farming and craft, and have the potential to grow and have a real legacy. The fund serves the communities of Appleby-in-Westmorland, Brough, Kirkby Stephen, Penrith, Stainton, Shap, Tebay and Kendal. In addition to providing grant funding, Westmorland aims to build lasting, supportive relationships with the groups it supports. The goal is to create a two-way connection to ensure a circular benefit – where funded organisations, local communities, and Westmorland colleagues can share ideas, learn from each other, and grow stronger together over time. Examples of supported projects include skills training programmes boosting young people's confidence and employability, mental health workshops offering peer support, community building renovation, youth clubs offering creative and active sessions, and enterprise projects supporting new ideas through mentoring and training. Grants range from £500 to £10,000, with multi-year grants considered for projects that show strong potential to grow their impact over time. The fund supports community groups that work with young people, manage community facilities, or operate community-based services in the eligible area.

Westmorland Arts Trust Fund

The Westmorland Arts Trust Fund provides grants to help make artistic presentation and facilities more widely available to people, particularly young adults and children, in the former county of Westmorland. The fund aims to ensure that residents of the former county of Westmorland experience the highest quality of music, drama and the visual arts. The Trust was set up in 1996 by the provisions in the will of Dr Elizabeth Kemp, for the purpose of the education of the public in the arts of music, drama and the visual arts. The fund supports activities that allow residents to have access to the Arts at the highest level, including productions such as lectures, dance, touring theatre, art exhibitions, workshops, art, writing and drama residencies, puppet theatre and music concerts of all kinds. Applications must have professional input and be able to demonstrate artistic excellence. The Trust prioritizes events in more rural areas. Previous activities supported include school activities for summer exhibitions, choral and orchestral performances, and arts projects and artists' residencies in schools. The fund is currently closed and will reopen in April 2026.

Welcome Fund

The Welcome Fund provides grants to relieve hardship and support displaced people, such as refugees and asylum seekers, living in Cumbria. The fund was created in response to growing need to support all displaced people who have been displaced by circumstances in their home countries. Funded by public donations and community fundraising events, the Welcome Fund offers hardship grants to individuals and families who must be supported by a recognised professional such as a caseworker, faith leader, support worker, representative of support organisation, or host family. When funding levels allow, the fund may also support organisations seeking to provide services for refugees and asylum seekers that lead to reduced social isolation and increased integration into local communities. The fund supports items or support in the relief of hardship not covered by Home Office funds and other Government support, initiatives that help support resettlement including access to work and education, and initiatives that promote community integration and cohesion while reducing social isolation. Currently, due to funding levels, the fund is only available to support applications from individuals.

Violet Laidlaw Trust Fund

The Violet Laidlaw Trust Fund provides grants to support people made homeless as a result of alcohol and drug addiction, domestic violence, family breakdown and mental ill health in Cumbria. The fund was established through a bequest from the estate of Violet Laidlaw, formerly of Scotby and Carlisle, who studied home economics and the nursing of sick children. Her philosophy was to be considerate to others, always finding the good points in people and never passing judgement. From a young age she showed a concern for the welfare of the homeless and less-fortunate, giving support whenever needed. Priority is given to applicants from Carlisle. The fund accepts applications from both individuals who are supported by an independent case worker or health professional, and charitable groups helping homeless people in the district of Carlisle. Grants are typically awarded between £500 and £1,000 over one year, though there is no maximum award amount. Normally, individuals will qualify for only one award from the Fund.

Ullswater Trust Grassroots Fund

The Ullswater Trust Grassroots Fund provides grants for small voluntary and community groups to address local needs and/or create opportunities that make a real difference. Priority is given to groups in the Eden area, particularly in Ullswater and Penrith. The fund is donor-advised and administered by Cumbria Community Foundation. Grants will normally be less than £1,000 over one year, though there is no maximum award amount. Examples of supported projects include refurbishment of community centre training rooms, respite for young carers, disabled toilets and kitchen units for community centres, and playground equipment. The fund specifically targets volunteer-led grassroots groups which support their community.

Thomas Graham Grassroots Fund

The Thomas Graham Grassroots Fund provides grants for voluntary-led groups and organisations for projects involving sport and young people in the areas of Carlisle and West Cumbria. The fund is donated by Thomas Graham & Sons Limited and administered by Cumbria Community Foundation. This fund specifically supports volunteer-led groups and organisations working with children and young people, as well as groups providing sporting opportunities. Examples of supported projects include uniforms for children's rugby teams, gymnastic equipment for youth centres, and coaching courses for volunteer coaches. Grants typically range from £500 to £2,000 over one year. The fund does not support individuals in addition to the foundation's normal exclusions.

The Solway Fund

The Solway Fund provides grants to volunteer-led and community groups helping children and young adults in the Maryport and Workington areas. The fund aims to enable children and young adults to develop skills that equip them for adult life. Supported activities include personal development, activities that improve confidence and life skills, accredited and non-accredited training, mentoring and peer support, and activities that prevent children and young people from developing problems that lead to difficulties later in life. The fund does not support individuals, in addition to the foundation's normal exclusions. Grants normally range from £500 to £2,000 over one year, supporting youth development initiatives in the local community.

The Sarah Nelson Fund

Inspired by the values of Sarah Nelson who created Grasmere Gingerbread® in 1854, this fund puts people before profit. It supports charitable organisations across Cumbria that help individuals reach their full potential. The fund's priorities reflect the life and values of Sarah Nelson, who overcame poverty through resilience, creativity, and community spirit. Grants prioritise projects that help people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, improve education for children and adults, encourage creative and sustainable business ideas, and tackle food poverty. The fund honors Sarah Nelson's legacy: she was raised in poverty by a single mother, taught local schoolchildren to read using letters made from Grasmere Gingerbread®, used her creativity and entrepreneurial flair to build a business and lift her family out of poverty, and invented Grasmere Gingerbread® as a way to generate income and support her family. Priority is given to projects that address more than one of the priority themes.

The Robinson Family Fund

The Robinson Family Fund provides grants to charitable and not-for-profit organisations in Cumbria which support the homeless, people with drug or alcohol addictions, and people with a physical disability. The fund also supports aspiring young sportspeople aged 15-25 years old who need assistance to help them achieve their potential. Priority is given to groups and individuals in West Cumbria and Barrow. Grants typically range from £500 to £750 over one year, with a maximum award of £2,000. Awards may be given as a single payment or as a series of payments over up to three years, dependent on progress. The fund is currently closed and will not accept applications again until April 2026.

The Janet Hartley Fund

The Janet Hartley Fund provides grants for charitable, not-for-profit organisations delivering projects that benefit communities within the towns and surrounding areas of Appleby, Brough, Kendal, Kirkby Stephen, Penrith, Sedbergh, and Tebay in Cumbria, England. This fund was created for Out of Eden in 2016 and renamed The Janet Hartley Fund in 2025 in honor of Janet Hartley, who founded the company with her husband in 1993. Janet was a committed Christian who believed in community service and supporting organisations that strengthened local society. The fund continues her legacy of supporting local charities and organisations that strengthen local communities and help those in need. Grants support projects including support for workers helping vulnerable families with young children, youth mentoring and skills development programmes, activities for rurally isolated older people, and vocational training and education for people with disabilities.

The Border Fund

The Border Fund provides grants to support disadvantaged individuals and groups in Cumbria, with priority given to rural areas northeast of Carlisle, including north and east of Longtown, and through to Gilsland and Newbiggin, though funding covers the whole of Cumbria. The fund prioritizes projects that increase personal skills and independence, support individuals and communities in rural areas, support groups helping people build long-term skills, support disadvantaged individuals over the age of 25 who wish to change career, and support mental health. Examples of supported projects include groups supporting adults with homelessness, hearing loss, or domestic violence; groups providing training to build skills and confidence to disadvantaged adults over 25; mature students seeking a career change or professional qualification; and hardship costs enabling completion of studies or courses.

The Barker Family Fund

The Barker Family Fund provides grants for not-for-profit organisations which help to empower young people and support the advancement of education, and for disadvantaged young people, including young farmers, aged 25 and under who live in Cumbria. The fund prioritizes activities which support the advancement of education, projects that help and empower young people, disadvantaged young people under 25, and young farmers. Examples of supported activities include business training for young people, supporting young people with a disability into employment, disadvantaged young farmers who need further qualifications, and promoting life skills and confidence in young people. The fund will not support staff costs for youth groups, trips, or university costs in addition to normal exclusions.

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.

SWEF Enterprise Fund - Start-Up Grants

The SWEF Enterprise Fund provides start-up grants of up to £500 for young entrepreneurs in Cumbria who are launching new businesses. This funding opportunity supports individuals aged 18 to 30 who are either planning to start trading within three months or have been trading for less than two years with monthly revenue below £500. The fund aims to help young people overcome financial challenges that are preventing business development. Eligible applicants must demonstrate that their business idea has the potential to be profitable and become their sole work focus, possess relevant experience or training to succeed, and have specific plans for how grant funds will be spent. The grant can be used for business-critical expenses such as equipment, materials, stock, prototypes, website development, training, and other costs that will significantly impact business growth. All shareholders must be aged 18-30, and applicants must have or be setting up a business bank account. The fund prioritizes supporting UK-sourced goods and services and excludes certain expenses including salary, living costs, debt repayment, new electronic devices (though refurbished versions may be considered), software/app development costs for unlaunched products, and invasive beauty treatments. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, making this an accessible opportunity for young Cumbrian entrepreneurs seeking to launch or grow their early-stage businesses.

SWEF Enterprise Fund – Business Grants

The SWEF Enterprise Fund provides grants to young entrepreneurs in Cumbria who are running new businesses. The fund supports businesses to make transformational changes or take significant steps forward in their development. Eligible applicants must be aged 18-30, currently reside in Cumbria, and operate as a sole trader, limited company, or CIC limited by shares that has been trading for less than two years. The business must be generating a minimum profit of £500 per month and experiencing financial challenges that are limiting development. The grant can be used for equipment to increase profit, prototypes and product development, building websites or booking systems, training, and other business costs that will make a significant impact. Applications involving match funding or purchase of second-hand items are particularly welcome. Successful applicants receive one business grant only, and repeat applications are not permitted. The fund is currently closed and will not accept applications again until April 2026.

Swales Trust Fund

The Swales Trust Fund provides grants to support individuals who are residents of Cumbria for education in the farming, forestry, game-keeping or horticultural industries. The fund supports individuals studying in Cumbria or at appropriate institutions outside the county, as well as those requiring qualifications to support employment. Examples of supported activities include study materials, specialist equipment, exceptional study travel costs, and hardship costs that enable completion of studies or courses. Grants will normally be less than £500, though awards could be up to £1,000 in exceptional circumstances. Awards are typically only for a proportion of the anticipated expenditure (approximately 50%), although full costs might be considered in exceptional circumstances. Evidence of anticipated expenditure and match funding sources are required with each application.

Strummer Calling Community First Fund

The Strummer Calling Community First Fund provides grants for small voluntary and community groups to address local needs and create opportunities that make a real difference in their communities. The fund prioritizes volunteer-led grassroots groups that support their community, with particular focus given to groups in the Carlisle and Eden areas. Supported projects include community cinema initiatives, camping activities for Scout groups, expenses for volunteers and room hire for radio broadcast training, and improvements to village halls. Grants are administered by Cumbria Community Foundation through an anonymous donor and are designed to strengthen grassroots community organizations throughout the region.

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.

Shepley Group Grassroots Fund

The Shepley Group Grassroots Fund provides grants to charitable and not-for-profit organisations for initiatives that reduce poverty, improve health, tackle social inequality, and help people reach their potential. The fund also supports projects that nurture a sense of place or promote climate action. Priority is given to projects that benefit people and communities in areas where Shepley Group employees live, specifically within the former local authority districts of Allerdale, Barrow-in-Furness, Carlisle, and Copeland in Cumbria, England. The fund is administered by Cumbria Community Foundation and supported by Shepley Engineers Limited. Examples of supported projects include equipment for junior football clubs, community cafés, community allotments, refurbishment of spaces for community workshops, functional skill classes for unemployed people aged 16+, and respite activities for young carers. Grants are normally up to £2,000 over one year. The fund does not support individuals in addition to the foundation's normal exclusions. Applications are welcome from charitable and not-for-profit organisations working to address community needs in the specified geographic areas of Cumbria.

Rowan Community First Fund

The Rowan Community First Fund provides grants to charitable, not-for-profit grassroots groups supporting social action at a local level in Cumbria. The fund focuses on supporting young people, elderly individuals, and providing training for unemployed individuals. Priority is given to projects that support the education of children and young people, provide training to help people get back into employment, support social action at a local level, and are run by groups in the Eden area. Past supported projects include computer classes for adults, drop-in clubs for older people in rural areas, activities and running costs for youth organizations, and nursery provision which allowed parents to return to work.

Roselands Trust Fund

The Roselands Trust Fund provides grants to charitable groups that help and advise people who live with disabilities or groups that provide activities and facilities to enable inclusivity. The fund particularly supports older adults and people with learning difficulties facing disadvantage. Typical projects include interactive music workshops for adults with severe physical and learning disabilities, equine therapy courses for socially or physically disadvantaged people, electrically-assisted tricycles for older people, and sailing sessions for groups of adults and children with visual impairments. Grants normally range up to £1,000 over one year, though there is no maximum award amount. The fund is administered by Cumbria Community Foundation and does not support individual applicants.

Quarry Hill Grassroots Fund

The Quarry Hill Grassroots Fund provides grants to charitable and not-for-profit organisations that work with young people to improve health and help them reach their full potential through participation in sport. Preference is given to projects that benefit people and communities in North Cumbria. The fund particularly focuses on supporting young people facing significant challenges or barriers to involvement in sport, and addressing issues in rural communities where access to opportunities is limited. Examples of funded projects include equipment for sports clubs, provision of cricket activities for females, wheelchair football sessions, floodlights for community tennis clubs, and lakeside residential youth training and activity centres.

Programme and Project Partners (PPP) Social Impact Fund

The Programme and Project Partners (PPP) Social Impact Fund provides grants to individuals and organisations in the former local authority areas of Allerdale and Copeland in Cumbria, England. The fund enables access to educational and training activities that raise career aspirations, support individuals in becoming work ready, facilitate entry into meaningful employment, and remove barriers to employment and economic participation. Priority is given to projects supporting unemployed people in gaining skills, training, and employment opportunities, reaching individuals with complex barriers to employment, and helping people in areas of high deprivation move closer towards or into employment. The fund is currently closed and will not be accepting applications again until April 2026.

Printers Inc Social Mobility Fund

The Printers Inc Social Mobility Fund provides grants to charitable groups supporting young people who reside in Cumbria, with preference for disadvantaged young people aged between 14-25. The fund aims to improve their life skills, education, employability and enterprise. Education includes academic, occupational or social education, the acquisition of life or employment skills, physical, sporting, music or other artistic skills. The fund is administered by Cumbria Community Foundation and donated by CN Group Limited (proprietor of Cumbria Newspapers). Priority is given to activities that support equipment for further education, employability programmes, bringing businesses and young people together to equip them for work, interview training, and programmes for young people studying music, sport or the arts. Multi-year funding may be considered.

Positive Enterprise

The Positive Enterprise programme aims to give young people aged 14-25 years from disadvantaged backgrounds in West Cumbria and Furness the opportunity to have their ideas and ambitions heard and the potential to have them realised. The programme challenges young people to think creatively and in more enterprising ways, empowers them and gives them a voice, supports them to test out their enterprising ideas, and breaks down barriers for aspiring young entrepreneurs by developing an enterprising culture based on encouragement and support. Successful applicants receive expert support, funding and learning opportunities to bring their ideas to life. This includes a grant of £1,000, a learning programme including coaching, mentoring and workshops to help young people develop their enterprising ideas and themselves as leaders. They also have the opportunity to learn from local entrepreneurs who've created successful initiatives, work alongside a peer group of young people committed to creating positive change, and are linked to other organisations to help them put their plan into action. The programme is delivered in partnership with the Centre for Leadership Performance, a not-for-profit organisation that shares ambitions for young people in West Cumbria. Several of its existing programmes align with and complement the aims of Positive Enterprise to support, nurture and empower leaders of the future.

People Helping People Fund

The People Helping People Fund provides grants for individuals and smaller charitable organisations to fund projects in Barrow, Cumbria. The fund supports projects that bring people together through social activities, improve local community spaces, create opportunities for young people ages 14-18, celebrate and promote positive stories in Barrow, or provide early intervention or recovery support for individuals affected by alcohol or drug use. This fund has been designed by members of the local community and is funded by the Team Barrow Social Impact Fund. Projects may be one-off events or ongoing but must show a lasting impact and be delivered between November 2025 and May 2026. Community groups and charities with annual turnover less than £200,000 can apply for up to £10,000, while individuals aged 18+ can apply for up to £750. All applicants must be based within the boundary of Barrow and involve the local community in designing their projects.

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.

Nuclear Waste Services LLWR Grassroots Fund

The Nuclear Waste Services LLWR Grassroots Fund provides grants to charitable organizations for initiatives that support children and young people. The fund focuses on projects that meet one or more of the following priorities: reduce poverty, improve health, tackle social inequality, and help people reach their potential. Additionally, the fund supports projects that nurture a sense of place or promote climate action. The fund is administered by Cumbria Community Foundation and supported by LLW Repository Limited trading as Nuclear Waste Services. Examples of supported projects include scenery hire for local theatre musicals, astro-turf rebound boards for community sports grounds, activities helping young people learn about entrepreneurship, and coaching costs for junior cricket clubs. Grants are normally awarded up to £5,000 over one year to charitable, not-for-profit organizations working with children and young people in Cumbria.

NHS North East and North Cumbria Northern Cancer Alliance Living with and Beyond Cancer Fund

This fund provides grants supporting the delivery of prehabilitation interventions and/or services for cancer patients across the Northeast and North Cumbria. The fund aims to enhance quality of life, health, and treatment outcomes for cancer patients by supporting initiatives that improve health and wellbeing for people living with and beyond cancer. Priority is given to projects that reach underserved communities including carers, veterans, young people, travelling community, and ethnic groups, provide community-based support in areas of high deprivation and/or rural communities, and deliver in areas experiencing health inequalities. Supported activities include exercise classes, social activities addressing isolation, cooking and nutrition advice, work and money planning support, and emotional resilience building. The fund is administered by Cumbria Community Foundation and funded by the Northern Cancer Alliance.

NHS North East and North Cumbria Northern Cancer Alliance Community Connectors Fund

The Northern Cancer Alliance recognises that there is a gap in funding for grassroots community groups to provide local support for those living with and beyond cancer. Through the Community Connectors Fund they want to help build capacity within communities and improve access to health and wellbeing information for people affected by cancer including patients, carers, family, and friends. This fund provides grants for charitable organisations to support people in communities who have been affected by cancer, directly or indirectly, by providing support or activities that help improve wellbeing and quality of life and encouraging people to live well during and after cancer, with support extended to carers and family. Support will be community-based, helping people access the help and support they need close to home rather than through centralised or online services. Priority will be given to groups providing community-based support and activities in areas of high deprivation and/or rural communities, and those aiming to engage with underrepresented groups accessing cancer services such as carers, veterans, young people, travelling community, and ethnic groups.

NHS North Cumbria – HomeWell: Children & Young Peoples' Mental Health Urgent Care Fund

This funding opportunity seeks to support innovative projects that make a real difference for children and young people aged 10–18 in North Cumbria. The aim is to provide timely, compassionate support outside of regular hours, helping young people and their families through challenging times and preventing unnecessary hospital admissions. The service will focus on providing intensive, home-based support for children and young people who are at imminent risk of psychiatric hospital admission or have recently been discharged, ensuring timely intervention at critical moments when support is most needed. Projects should provide support across the North Cumbria NHS footprint, be able to provide an immediate on-line/telephone response within service hours, be ready to help within 48 hours when a young person is in need, deliver focused mental health support including home visits, combine therapeutic interventions, family support, and crisis planning to create lasting positive change, and prioritise the safety and wellbeing of young people at every stage.

NHS Building the Right Support: Transition from Hospital Fund

This fund provides a single grant to support up to twelve adults with a mild learning disability and/or Autism to facilitate their transition from hospital back to the community. The program works with referrals from NHS Cumbria, Northumberland Tyne & Wear NHS Foundation Trust and aims to reduce length of stay, prevent revolving door admissions, and increase engagement with statutory services and community activities. The successful organization will work with the identified cohort to build trusting relationships during the transition period, starting in inpatient settings and continuing through discharge planning and community integration. The fund emphasizes supporting individuals to develop self-management strategies, attend health appointments, and engage in education, employment, and community activities. The grant operates in line with the principles of Building the Right Support and requires specialist organizations capable of covering the full North Cumbria ICB footprint. Partnership applications are welcome, and the selected organization will work as part of a multi-disciplinary team to maximize successful discharge planning and reduce isolation.

NHS Building the Right Support: Annual Health Checks Fund

This fund provides grants to increase the uptake of Annual Health Checks for individuals aged 14 and over with a learning disability and/or autism living in the former districts of Allerdale, Carlisle and Eden in North Cumbria. The fund aims to improve health outcomes of individuals with learning disabilities by helping meet the national target of more than 75% Annual Health Checks, which equates to at least 150 additional health checks. The program focuses on improving knowledge of Annual Health Checks and Health Action Plans, earlier diagnosis and support to manage health needs, increased engagement at health appointments, and decreasing barriers to taking up Annual Health Checks through reasonable adjustments. Funded organizations are expected to work with individuals, families, carers, and schools to increase uptake from 68% to over 75%, provide education about the importance of annual health checks, promote Health Action Plans, identify barriers to engagement, secure sustained engagement with statutory and community services, and develop sustainable plans to improve uptake beyond March 2026. The fund supports community groups and charitable, not-for-profit organizations that specialize in supporting users with mild learning disabilities and/or autism and can cover the full North Cumbria ICB footprint.

New Balance Get Active Fund

The New Balance Get Active Fund provides grants for charitable and community-based organisations that support children and young people (ages 5-25) through sport and physical activity used as a tool for social impact. Projects should go beyond fitness to help build confidence, leadership, resilience, social connection, and life skills. The fund aims to achieve outcomes such as building life and work skills through mentoring, coaching courses, or interview preparation; supporting young people who face extra challenges or fewer opportunities because of their background or life situation; and demonstrating long-term impact, such as improving health, confidence, or future education and job prospects. Priority is given to projects based in or serving communities around Flimby and organisations working with marginalised children and young people, especially those who are not in education, employment, or training (NEET), at risk of school exclusion, refugees or asylum seekers, newly arrived migrants, have experience of the care system, or are affected by exploitation, homelessness, or domestic abuse.

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.

Mary Grave Trust Fund

The Mary Grave Trust Fund provides grants for young people aged 11-21 who were born and are residing in the old county of Cumberland (pre-1974 boundaries) to support travel abroad for educational purposes. The fund is specifically designed to assist those from low-income households or facing challenging circumstances. Priority is given to young people residing in the borough of Workington or the urban district of Maryport. Supported activities include school or youth organization trips abroad, gap year activities, and work-experience opportunities abroad. The fund aims to provide educational travel opportunities to young people who might otherwise not be able to afford such experiences, helping them broaden their horizons and gain valuable international experience.

Lord Egremont Fund for West Cumbria

The Lord Egremont Fund for West Cumbria provides grants to charitable organisations offering activities that benefit people in the towns of Egremont and Cockermouth and their immediate surrounding areas. The fund prioritizes projects that are volunteer-led or make effective use of volunteers, and initiatives rooted within the local community and led by local people responding to local need. Support is directed toward the provision of facilities for recreation and reducing isolation, addressing child poverty and educational participation of young people, providing advice and guidance particularly around dependency issues, and promoting and enhancing the local area. The fund does not accept direct applications; instead, Cumbria Community Foundation works with Lord Egremont to identify potential projects for support, and all relevant applications from projects within the beneficiary area are considered.

Lord Bragg Fund for Wigton

The Lord Bragg Fund for Wigton provides grants for individuals aged 11-25 who reside or study in Wigton, or for groups supporting children and young people in Wigton, to engage in positive activities and/or access education or training which raises aspirations. Applications from individuals who live in the town of Wigton will be the priority. The fund specifically targets young people facing challenging circumstances such as low-income households, recent bereavement, chronic illness, care-experienced individuals, those impacted by domestic violence, young carers, those at risk of school exclusion, or those at risk of becoming NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training). Applications from individuals must be supported by a teacher or lecturer from their designated school or Further Education college. The fund supports costs associated with work-experience activities, instruments for talented musicians, theatre workshops for aspiring actors, training costs for aspiring athletes, and life skills sessions focusing on finance, housing, and money management. Groups supporting young people in Wigton can also apply to develop skills that will equip them for adult life.

Live the Dream Fund

The Live the Dream Fund provides grants for individuals and groups in the former boroughs of Allerdale and Copeland to enable access to educational or training activity which raises career aspirations. The fund is funded by BNFL and administered by Cumbria Community Foundation. Young people living in the former boroughs of Allerdale or Copeland, with priority given to those aged 16-25, can apply for support. Individuals will need to provide evidence of excellence in their chosen field, and household income will be taken into account. Voluntary and community groups which directly benefit individuals in the former boroughs of Allerdale and Copeland may also apply, and must provide evidence of how they will raise aspirations for local young people. The fund supports projects such as living costs for students at university, coaching and training costs for promising young athletes, apprenticeship wages for youth organizations, events to promote career aspirations, and employment programs for young people.

Liddle Thomson Community First Fund

The Liddle Thomson Community First Fund provides grants for small voluntary and community groups in the area of north Allerdale, primarily around Wigton and Carlisle areas in Cumbria, England. The fund is designed to support charitable, not-for-profit grassroots groups and organizations that work with children and young people, as well as groups supporting social action at a local level. Priority is given to projects which support communities in North Allerdale, tackle disadvantage in rural communities around the priority area, provide sporting activities to keep young people fit and healthy, and provide advice and guidance to individuals. The fund has supported projects such as improvements to community-run swimming pools, equipment for play parks for children, and activities and running costs for youth organisations. This fund is administered by Cumbria Community Foundation and was established by private individual donors.

Lawrence Fund

The Lawrence Fund provides grants to support disadvantaged people in the study of horticulture or music, particularly those studying music therapy, and young musicians in North Cumbria. This fund was established by a private individual to support talented young musicians and those seeking education in horticulture or gardening. Priority is given to projects that support young talented musicians, include the study of music therapy, or involve education in horticulture or gardening. Examples of supported projects include additional tuition costs for talented young individuals, music therapy classes for groups with dementia or mental health issues, concert costs for community choirs, and gardening-for-health projects by charitable organisations. The fund is administered by Cumbria Community Foundation, a charitable organization connecting people who care with causes that matter in the Cumbria region of England.

Laurel House Brampton Fund

The Laurel House Brampton Fund provides grants to charitable organizations and volunteer groups that work with elderly people in the Parish of Brampton and the surrounding area. The fund prioritizes projects that support older people aged 60 and over, tackle disadvantage and address hardship, reduce isolation, and improve health and wellbeing. Supported activities include social inclusion events such as regular meetings, meals, coffee mornings, and outings, as well as activities that improve health and welfare of those with mobility issues and disabilities. The fund also supports sessions that provide advice and guidance to older people on topics such as benefits. Grants normally range from £500 to £2,000 over one year, though multi-year grants may be considered depending on the project. The fund was established by the Laurel House Management Committee and is administered by Cumbria Community Foundation.

Lamont Pridmore Grassroots Fund

The Lamont Pridmore Grassroots Fund provides grants for small voluntary, community groups and grassroots organisations to enable them to continue or expand their work in advocacy, community voice, and service provision for local people in the former district of Allerdale, particularly the Workington area. The fund supports voluntary and community groups that help people learn new things and increase their personal confidence, get people involved in their community, and make the community a better place to live. Examples of supported projects include theatre workshops for schoolchildren in deprived areas, coaching training for local trampoline clubs, kit and equipment for junior football clubs, premises hire for youth club activities, and music workshops and master classes in schools. Grants will normally be less than £1,000 over one year, though there is no strict minimum or maximum award amount.

Lakeland Disability Support Fund

The Lakeland Disability Support Fund provides grants to charitable groups and individuals with physical disabilities residing within the former local authority area of South Lakeland. The fund helps relieve disability by providing items, facilities, or support that enable individuals to live more independently and improve their quality of life. Priority is given to individual applicants over charitable groups. The fund supports a wide range of disability-related needs including mobility equipment, assistive technology, home modifications, and respite care. Applications can be made by beneficiaries directly or by someone acting on their behalf with consent, and must be supported by independent care professionals who are familiar with the applicant's disability.

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.

Kipling Fund for Younger People

The Kipling Fund for Younger People provides grants for individuals and charitable not-for-profit groups helping children and families facing disadvantage in Cumbria. Established from a legacy from a Cumbrian farmer, this fund prioritizes support for young people with mental health needs, children and young people generally, and households on low incomes. The fund has supported various projects including youth groups, equipment for family groups, educational projects for teenagers, accredited learning programs, and young carers' projects. Grants normally range between £500 and £1,000 over one year, providing crucial support to vulnerable young people and families in the community.

Kipling Fund for Older People

The Kipling Fund for Older People provides grants to individuals and charitable not-for-profit groups helping older people facing disadvantage in Cumbria. The fund was established through a legacy from a Cumbrian farmer and prioritizes projects supporting older adults, people with mental health needs, and people on low incomes. Examples of supported projects include social inclusion activities for isolated older people, local support groups for older people affected by heart conditions and strokes, support groups for people with dementia, and mobility aids for older people. Grants will normally be £1,000 or less over one year, though there is no maximum award amount.

Joyce Wilkinson Charitable Trust Fund

The Joyce Wilkinson Charitable Trust Fund provides grants to voluntary and community groups operating or providing charitable activities in or close to the parishes of Rosley and Westward, Wigton, and Aspatria in North Cumbria. The Fund was created by Joyce Wilkinson who lived in Rosley and Westward all her life, enjoyed village life and did a lot of work for her community. On her death, she left much of her estate to endow a Trust to support charitable activities in and around her home. Cumbria Community Foundation administers this Trust in association with the Trustees of the Joyce Wilkinson Trust. Priority is given to groups which help people, particularly older adults and children and young people, manage village facilities such as halls, play areas, and schools, and operate or provide services in or close to the parishes of Rosley, Westward, Wigton, and Aspatria. Examples of supported projects include local play groups and nurseries, refurbishment and equipment for village halls and community buildings, youth group activities and equipment, and local support groups for people affected by heart conditions and strokes.

Johnson Fund

The Johnson Fund provides grants to support individuals and volunteer-led and community organisations that support disadvantage in the Cumbria region. Applications are accepted from the former local authority areas of Allerdale, Carlisle, Eden and South Lakeland. The fund supports projects aligned with Cumbria Community Foundation's top funding priorities including reducing poverty, reaching potential, improving health, tackling social inequality, nurturing sense of place, and acting on climate change. Priority is given to projects that help carers of people with dementia and support young people to fulfil their potential. For individuals, applicants must be under the age of 30, with household income taken into account. The fund has supported diverse projects including music therapy sessions for disabled children, training materials for students to increase employability, respite trips for carers of those with mental health issues, and contributions to living costs for students pursuing advanced degrees. Maximum grant awards are typically up to £2,500 over one year.

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.

Janetta Topsy Laidlaw Trust Fund

The Janetta Topsy Laidlaw Trust Fund was established from a bequest from the estate of Janetta T Laidlaw, who died in January 2007. Janetta was an occupational health specialist who worked for the Cumbria Health Authority before her retirement. As a compassionate and generous person, she expressed her wish that a trust be created to assist older people to remain in their own homes and to provide additional care for them. The Trust seeks to assist people experiencing significant hardship by supporting activities or costs which enable older people to remain in their homes and the provision of additional care. Her particular concern was the importance of retaining older people's dignity. The fund is managed by Cumbria Community Foundation and serves the former Carlisle City Council area. The fund accepts applications from charitable groups helping older people in the former Carlisle City Council area, as well as from individuals in the area who are supported by health professionals or social workers. Applications from individuals must be supported by a health care professional such as a general practitioner or district nurse, or by a social worker. The maximum grant is normally £500 over one year, and individuals will normally only qualify for one award from the Trust.

High Sheriff's Crimebeat Fund

The High Sheriff's Crimebeat Fund provides grants to charitable organisations working with young people in Cumbria. The fund is specifically designed to support youth who face significant challenges or barriers in their lives, particularly those involved with crime or at risk of becoming involved in anti-social behaviour or criminal activity. Money for this fund is raised by the High Sheriff of Cumbria during their year in office. The fund does not accept direct applications; instead, Cumbria Community Foundation works collaboratively with the High Sheriff to identify suitable projects for support throughout the region.

High Sheriff's General Fund

The High Sheriff's General Fund provides grants to charitable organizations delivering activities that benefit people and communities across Cumbria. The fund is supported by money raised by the High Sheriff of Cumbria during their year in office. This fund is administered by Cumbria Community Foundation and does not accept direct applications. Instead, the Foundation works collaboratively with the High Sheriff to identify suitable projects for support. Grants are typically awarded to not-for-profit organizations working on community-focused initiatives throughout Cumbria. The fund excludes support for individuals and follows the Foundation's normal exclusion criteria for grant-making.

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.

Herdy Fund

The Herdy Fund provides grants to support Cumbria's rural communities, with a particular focus on upland fell farming and projects that reduce social isolation. The fund aims to create innovative and ambitious solutions to the problems facing farmers and rural communities in Cumbria. Priority is given to projects that make long-term, strategic investments in people or organizations, offer inclusive activities and reduce isolation, support rural communities, and leverage additional funds. The fund is administered by Cumbria Community Foundation and funded by The Herdy Company Limited. The fund is currently closed and will not be accepting applications again until April 2026.

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.

Gurney Charitable Trust Fund

The Gurney Charitable Trust Fund provides grants for community-benefit societies and small locally-focused charitable organisations in northern Cumbria. The fund specifically targets the areas of Keswick, Cockermouth, Aspatria, and Wigton, with priority given to projects in and around the village of Ireby. Exceptional projects outside the priority area that align with the donor's interests will also be considered. The fund supports activities across a range of areas including the advancement of education, relief of poverty, health benefits, heritage of local buildings, theatre, natural history and wildlife, and arts projects. Examples of supported activities include programs for young people, hire of road matting for Ireby Festival, art exhibitions celebrating women of Cumbria, and outreach services. Grants are typically £1000 or less for one-year projects.

Gibb Charitable Trust Fund

The Gibb Charitable Trust Fund provides grants to support students and trainees in vocational studies. The Trust was established in the 1930s to enable incoming firms to train labour in what was the West Cumberland Development Area. The Trustees subsequently amended the criteria to assist students and trainees, and the Trust's assets were transferred to Cumbria Community Foundation in 2007 to create The Gibb Charitable Trust Fund. This fund is open to individuals aged 16 years and over who have been a resident and/or employed for not less than two years in the former districts of Allerdale (excluding the parish of Keswick), Copeland or the Parish of Alston Moor. Priority is given to activities which support the advancement of education and provide employment skills for disadvantaged individuals. The fund supports activities such as hairdressing kit and uniform for college courses, work experience activities, activities that are part of a further or higher education course, and equipment and travel costs. Grants will normally be £500 over one year. The fund does not support groups, only individuals.

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.

Fryer Grassroots Fund

The Fryer Grassroots Fund provides grants to voluntary and community groups and organisations to continue supporting people with disabilities who live in Cumbria. The fund is provided by an anonymous donor and prioritizes small, volunteer-led grassroots groups that support their local community and work with individuals who have disabilities. Priority is given to projects which support individuals with physical disabilities, learning disabilities, sensory disabilities, and help people in fulfilling their potential. The fund also supports priority individuals to attend courses run by The Lake District Calvert Trust, including bursaries to attend these courses. This is a community-focused grant program aimed at strengthening support services for disabled residents across Cumbria through grassroots organizations.

Fibrus Community Fund Cumbria

The Fibrus Community Fund Cumbria was established by Fibrus in 2023 to address digital poverty and support the work of communities in particular areas of Cumbria, providing access to digital technology for the most vulnerable. Fibrus recognises that the most vulnerable in our community can sometimes get left behind when it comes to accessing modern technology. Having the ability to access the internet can open a range of opportunities for individuals and communities especially when it comes to education, employment, and socialising. The Fund offers technology grants to enable people to stay connected, whether it is young people staying connected to online resources for school, or elderly people ordering groceries and video calling family. Grants support community groups and organisations in eligible areas to provide access to digital technology for the most vulnerable in their community, with a particular focus on older people aged 60 years and older and young people aged 18 years and under. Projects may include providing access to digital devices such as laptops, tablets, iPads, and smartphones through community loan facilities, strengthening the ability of individuals to use digital services through training workshops or courses, and providing access to enhance connections with others through community-use internet hubs or internet cafés.

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.

Evening Hill Grassroots Fund

The Evening Hill Grassroots Fund provides grants to groups throughout Cumbria to enable them to continue or expand their work in advocacy, community voice, and service provision for local people. The fund is managed by Cumbria Community Foundation and funded by private individuals. Priority is given to projects which support groups and organisations benefitting children and young people, improve the quality of life for elderly people, support the priority age group within disadvantaged communities in Cumbria, support disadvantaged people where the grant will make a difference to their lives, and projects along the west coast and high deprivation areas. Examples of supported projects include improvements to community buildings, education and building life skills programs, woodcraft classes for older people in rurally isolated areas, and IT classes in rural areas. The fund is currently closed and will not be accepting applications again until April 2026.

English Lakes Hotels Trust Fund

The English Lakes Hotels Trust Fund provides grants to support employees of English Lakes Hotels and charitable or not-for-profit groups delivering community projects in specific areas of Cumbria and Lancashire. The fund was established by English Lakes Hotels and is administered by Cumbria Community Foundation. It offers flexible grant amounts based on applicant type, with individual grants typically exceeding £100 and group grants typically under £1,000, though there are no maximum award limits. The fund prioritizes projects that address hardship, assist families in crisis, promote education (particularly internships and apprenticeships), and support the Christian church and community projects. Examples of supported projects include funeral costs for families experiencing hardship and premises hire for hubs serving homeless young people.

Elizabeth Fell Memorial Trust Fund

The Elizabeth Fell Memorial Trust Fund provides grants for volunteer-led groups and organisations in Kingstown and the surrounding area to address local needs and/or create opportunities that will make a real difference to their community. The fund supports a range of activities including community events, refurbishment of IT rooms, youth activities for summer holidays, and upgrades to community facilities. Grants will normally be £1,000 or less over one year, with a maximum award amount of £5,000. The fund is administered by Cumbria Community Foundation and is designed to support volunteer-led community groups in a specific geographic area of benefit around Kingstown.

Edwin and Anita Mackay Memorial Fund

The Edwin and Anita Mackay Memorial Fund provides grants for community groups and projects that provide activities for children and young people up to the age of 18 in the Seaton parish. The fund was established through a legacy gift to support the development and wellbeing of young people in the local community. Eligible organizations include volunteer-led groups and charitable organisations that work with children and young people in the parish of Seaton. The fund supports a range of activities including coaching costs, social and personal development activities, tools and equipment for educational projects, premises hire for youth activities, drama workshops, and improvements to community facilities that benefit young people. Grants are typically awarded for one-year periods to help organizations deliver meaningful programs and services to children and youth in the Seaton area.

Education Fund (Cumbria)

The Education Fund (Cumbria) provides grants to support all types of educational activities for disadvantaged people of any age in Cumbria. This fund is managed by the Cumbria Community Foundation and comprises various trusts that have been transferred to the Foundation. Priority is given to projects which support academic or social skills, life or employment skills, and sport or artistic skills. The fund supports a wide range of educational needs including course-related costs such as books, computer equipment, and travel expenses, as well as training and development opportunities for individuals and community groups. Examples of supported projects include kit and training costs for aspiring athletes, voucher schemes for training courses for young farmers, community gardens helping young offenders develop social and employment skills, and arts workshops for older people to develop independence and increase learning. Grants are available to both individuals who reside in Cumbria and voluntary and community groups based in Cumbria, with household income taken into account when assessing applications from individuals.

Edmond Castle Educational Trust Fund

The Edmond Castle Educational Trust Fund provides grants to support the education and training of disadvantaged young people under the age of 21 in Cumbria. The fund prioritizes young people who are, or have been, looked after by Cumberland Council or Westmorland and Furness Council. The trust supports activities that help build self-confidence and skills, promote civic engagement and leadership, cover equipment or course fees, and provide new opportunities for young people to train and learn. Examples of funded projects include fees for private tutors, travel expenses to sports training, course-related costs for academic study, and development of employment skills for young people. Both individuals under 21 and volunteer-led community groups and organizations that work with young people are eligible to apply.

Eden Rural Community Fund

The Eden Rural Community Fund provides grants for charitable and not-for-profit organisations to deliver services benefiting residents of Eden District and surrounding rural areas who are in need due to frailty, age, ill health, mental or physical disability. The fund supports projects that enable people over 18 years old to live independently and safely in their own homes, improving quality of life for beneficiaries, their families, and carers. Priority is given to projects supporting older people (particularly vulnerable and isolated older people), adults aged 18 or over with physical disabilities, mental health needs, and/or learning disabilities, carers, and community and volunteer-led initiatives to deliver or improve access to services for rural areas. The fund was established by Eden Housing Association using charitable funds held following the dissolution of Eden Community Alarms.

Dowker Bindloss Charity Fund

The Dowker Bindloss Charity Fund provides grants to voluntary and community organisations which provide relief for need, hardship or distress for the residents of Kendal. The fund was formed in 1987 from the merger of Miss Dowker's Spinsters Hospital (established 1831) and the Will of Agnes Sarah Bindloss (1895). Trusteeship of the Charity was transferred from Kendal Town Council to Cumbria Community Foundation in April 2012. The fund prioritizes projects that help people facing disadvantage in Kendal. Eligible applicants include voluntary and community organisations based in Kendal, as well as those based outside of Kendal as long as the supported activity benefits Kendal residents. The fund supports a wide range of community projects addressing various forms of need and hardship. Examples of previously supported projects include refurbishment of community facilities for homeless people, counselling services for victims of domestic abuse, climbing walls for children and young people with disabilities, and intergenerational art projects for visually impaired people. Grants will normally be £1,000 or less over one year, although there is no maximum award amount. Individuals are not eligible to apply. Organizations should contact Sarah Thompson at Cumbria Community Foundation for further information about applying to this fund.

Dora Beeforth Memorial Fund

The Dora Beeforth Memorial Fund provides grants for young people aged 11-21 facing challenging circumstances to participate in sport and travel activities, and for charitable organisations providing services to young people to achieve this aim. The Fund was established in memory of Dora Beeforth, wife of the Foundation's first Director, who was born in Cumbria and attended the Lakes School in Windermere. She enjoyed the outdoors, was a volunteer warden with the Lake District National Park, and a volunteer with Cumbria Youth Theatre, and was also a keen runner and orienteer. The Fund was created in her memory to enable children and young people to experience activities and opportunities which they otherwise would not be able to afford. Challenging circumstances include low-income households, recent bereavement, terminal or chronic illness, care-experienced youth, those experiencing domestic violence, young carers, those at risk of school exclusion, or at risk of becoming NEET.

Disability Fund for Cumbria

The Disability Fund for Cumbria provides grants to groups and individuals to support practical interventions that promote the inclusion and integration of disabled people into employment. The Fund was established following the closure of Disability Association Carlisle & Eden (DaCE). Priority is given to local organisations that employ disabled people or where a significant proportion of disabled people are involved as trustees, and to initiatives, projects, and activities that aim to help disabled people become as independent as possible so that they can lead the life they choose in the way they prefer. The fund supports projects such as job coaches and work experience, employment support opportunities, specialist equipment or training, and provision of information resources. Support may also be available to individuals requesting specialist equipment or training in support of employment, subject to fund availability.

David and Margaret Rankin Fund (Skills and Training)

The David and Margaret Rankin Fund provides grants for individuals and groups to empower young people to realise their potential, pursue their aspirations, and further their skills and training which supports their journey into business or employment. Priority is given to projects that help and empower young people, activities that support the development of knowledge or skills, and activity that encourages young people into farming. Examples of supported activities include business training for young people, mentoring programmes, courses for industry-specific certificates of competency, and travel expenses to support work experience. Grants for individuals will normally be up to £1,000 over one year, while grants for groups will normally be up to £5,000 over one year. Grants may be a single award, or a series of awards paid annually for up to three years and dependent on progress.

Cumbria Young People's Fund (Individuals)

The Cumbria Young People's Fund (Individuals) provides grants to young people aged 14-22 to help them fulfill their potential and develop life skills. The fund supports academic study and courses to improve practical skills or personal development, activities that are part of further or higher education courses, and activities leading to vocational qualifications. Grants can be used for the purchase of books, materials and computer equipment, bursary support, and travel costs. The fund is administered by Cumbria Community Foundation and is supported by a private individual donor. The maximum grant is normally £2,000 per year. Community groups and school trips are not supported by this fund.

Cumbria Young People's Fund

The Cumbria Young People's Fund provides grants to help young people aged 14-22 fulfil their potential and develop life skills. The fund supports both individuals and charitable organizations working with young people in this age range. For individuals, grants support educational and personal development costs, including university living expenses, travel and equipment for educational courses. For groups, the fund supports social and personal development activities, anti-bullying workshops, programs to build confidence and resilience, independent living skills, and prevention programs addressing issues like sexual exploitation. The fund is managed by Cumbria Community Foundation and was established by a private individual donor to support youth development across Cumbria.

Cumbria Victims Charitable Trust Fund

The Cumbria Victims Charitable Trust Fund provides grants to direct victims of all types of crime or anti-social behaviour who reside in Cumbria. The fund supports individuals who are in urgent need, distress, hardship, or sickness because of crime and who are vulnerable and need help to cope, to recover, or to avoid re-victimisation. Applicants must have limited resources and little or no other funding available to them. The fund focuses on providing essential support to crime victims in their time of need, with grants typically ranging from £200 to £700 depending on the applicant's needs. Applicants cannot apply directly and must be supported by an independent case worker or professional involved with the case. Some evidence of a crime is required, either through provision of a crime reference number or through the sponsor's reasonable belief and circumstantial evidence. There should usually be a close connection in time or cause between the crime and the application.

Cumbria Tourism 50th Anniversary Fund

The Cumbria Tourism 50th Anniversary Fund provides grants for people aged 16 and over to help raise educational attainment and career aspirations in the Cumbrian tourism and hospitality sectors by enabling access to study, vocational training and employment. This fund supports individuals who are living, studying, training or newly employed in the tourism or hospitality sector in Cumbria. The fund helps cover essential costs that enable people to pursue education and career opportunities in these sectors, including specialist equipment, course fees, study materials, travel costs, and hardship costs that enable completion of studies or training programs. Household income is taken into account when assessing applications, and evidence of anticipated expenditure is required with each application.

Cumbria Industries Amenities Fund

The Cumbria Industries Amenities Fund provides grants to groups offering support to people with disabilities. Originally established to assist workers at the Workshops for the Blind in Carlisle, the Fund was expanded in the 1980s when the Workshops extended their services to include people with all types of disabilities. The Fund was transferred to Cumbria Community Foundation by Cumbria County Council in 2008. Priority is given to projects that provide activities and equipment for disabled people in Cumbria, as well as those supporting vocational work and training for disabled people in the Carlisle area. Examples of supported projects include cookery lessons for people with learning difficulties, accredited training for people with disabilities, active sports development programmes, and equipment to assist blind people during training.

Cumbria Home from Home Fund

The Cumbria Home from Home Fund provides grants to organizations in and around the Lake District that improve the health, wellbeing and employment prospects of residents by addressing social and rural isolation or projects that improve the economic outcomes and sustainability of local communities. The fund is supported by donations from holiday and second homeowners, business owners that benefit from visitor income, and visitors to Cumbria who appreciate their Lake District experience and would like to sustain the communities that welcome them. Priority is given to projects that support younger people, offer education and training, address issues facing rural communities, provide opportunities for people to engage in local community activities, and are aligned to the Lake District National Park Partnership Management Plan 2020-2025 where appropriate.

Cumbria Grassroots Fund

The Cumbria Grassroots Fund provides grants for small voluntary and grassroots groups to enable them to continue or expand their work in advocacy, community voice, and service provision for local people throughout Cumbria. The fund is aimed at groups helping people facing disadvantage, with priority given to projects which support disadvantaged children and young people, tackle disadvantage in rural communities, and tackle disadvantage in the 20% most deprived wards of Cumbria. Examples of supported projects include refurbishment of community centres, safety equipment, recruiting and training of volunteers, and drop-in clubs for older people. Grants will normally be less than £1,000 over one year, although there is no strict minimum or maximum award amount. The fund is managed by Cumbria Community Foundation and is supported by various individual donors. It aims to strengthen grassroots community organizations serving disadvantaged populations across Cumbria, England.

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.

Cumbria Cultural Fund

The Cumbria Cultural Fund provides grants to support individuals across Cumbria who are striving to achieve excellence in their chosen field of the arts. The Fund champions innovation and equity and aims to remove barriers. Applications are welcome from individuals who can demonstrate artistic talent and who seek to grow, learn, and develop their practice. The fund prioritizes individuals who originate from or live in Cumbria, can demonstrate talent or the potential to develop their creativity, and are least able to afford to develop their talent or creativity. The Fund supports people of all ages with a focus on young people, those with the least opportunities or exposure to the arts, and established practitioners seeking to grow and develop their practice. It promotes quality and excellence while recognizing that the pursuit of artistic practice is an objective in itself. The fund particularly supports individual voices committed to conveying messages about societal change, challenging the status quo, and producing new and unconventional work. The fund was established by the late Miss Mary Burkett and friends, along with other individual donors. Grants normally are less than £500 over one year, though there is no minimum or maximum award amount, and multiple-year awards will be considered. The fund does not support artists in residence or activities exclusively for school children, in addition to the foundation's normal exclusions.

Cumberland Educational Foundation Fund

The Cumberland Educational Foundation Fund provides grants to support the education of young people under the age of 25 who live, or whose parents live, in the former county of Cumberland (Allerdale, Copeland, Carlisle and the northern part of Eden districts) and who are in need of financial assistance. The fund supports a wide range of educational and training-related costs including kit and training expenses for aspiring athletes, course-related costs such as books, computer equipment, and travel expenses, theatre workshops for young people, voucher schemes for training and technical courses for young farmers, and community projects like gardens which help young offenders develop social and employment skills. Grants will normally be less than £2,000 over one year, though there is no minimum or maximum award amount. Awards may be given as a single payment or as a series of payments over up to three years, dependent on progress. The fund is administered by Cumbria Community Foundation and is currently closed until April 2026.

Cumberland and Westmorland Herald Fund

The Cumberland and Westmorland Herald Fund provides grants to charitable not-for-profit groups benefiting people living in the Cumberland & Westmorland Herald's main circulation area. This geographic area includes Penrith, Appleby-in-Westmorland, Kirkby Stephen, and Alston. The fund was established by the Cumberland & Westmorland Herald newspaper and is administered by Cumbria Community Foundation. The fund supports a variety of community projects that improve the quality of life for residents in the circulation area. Past grants have supported diverse initiatives including riding workshops and sessions for people with disabilities, improvements to community buildings, exercise classes for older people, camping equipment for youth groups, and sporting activities for people with disabilities. Grants typically range up to £1,000 over one year, though there is no maximum award amount specified. The fund does not support individuals or projects that fall under the foundation's normal exclusions. Applications are accepted on a periodic basis, with the fund currently closed until April 2026. The fund represents a partnership between local media and community philanthropy, enabling charitable organizations to deliver important services and activities that benefit local residents across the rural communities of Eden and eastern Cumbria.

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.

CN Group Fund

The CN Group Fund provides grants to charitable and volunteer-led groups which support their communities and help people facing disadvantage. Supported by Cumbria Newspapers, this fund assists community organizations with various projects including improvements to community facilities, equipment and furniture for community centers, activity coordination, children's play areas, and creative projects for people with disabilities. The fund aims to strengthen community infrastructure and services that benefit those who are disadvantaged. Grants are administered through Cumbria Community Foundation, which connects people who care with causes that matter across Cumbria. While grants normally range up to £2,000 for one-year projects, there is no maximum award amount, allowing for flexibility based on project needs and impact.

CiFR Community Flood Resilience Fund

The CiFR Community Flood Resilience Fund provides grants to organizations across Cumbria to support communities in building resilience to flooding and adapting to climate change. The fund has three primary purposes: (1) to provide support, resources, and equipment to communities at risk of flooding, including the indirect impacts such as power loss and displaced residents; (2) to enable those communities to test and trial ways to become better prepared for flooding and its impact; and (3) to enable communities to be better able to respond to and recover from flooding by building awareness, skills, and capacity within their community. The fund supports equipment purchases such as flood barriers, radios, torches, hi-vis clothing, pumps, generators, and battery packs, as well as activities and training to improve community resilience including community events, first aid training, and events connecting communities with local responder organizations. In specific larger communities (Appleby, Carlisle, Cockermouth, Kendal, and Keswick), funding is also available for Community Emergency Response Coordinators. The fund is administered by Cumbria Community Foundation and aims to strengthen community emergency planning, response, and recovery capabilities throughout the region.

CCL Secure Fund

The CCL Secure Fund provides grants for small voluntary and community groups and organisations providing activities that benefit people and communities in the former districts of Allerdale and Copeland in Cumbria. The fund prioritizes projects that improve the lives of disadvantaged children and families, improve life skills, education, employability and enterprise for disadvantaged people, support vulnerable older people, improve the health and wellbeing of people, and strengthen and support fragile communities. Examples of supported projects include improvement of facilities for disabled people, staff salaries for youth clubs for disadvantaged young people, drop-in services for people with mental health problems, advisory services on tackling debt and benefit entitlement, and access to services which tackle social isolation for older people. Grants will normally be between £500 – £2,500 over one year, although there is no maximum award amount.

Stipend for Children without Glasses

The Stipend for Children without Glasses (SCWG) is a charitable foundation established in 2012 dedicated to supporting youth who have maintained natural visual acuity throughout their developmental years. Founded by optometrist Dr. Helena Brightwell, the organization awards annual grants of $500–$2,000 to children ages 8–17 who demonstrate both exceptional uncorrected vision and academic achievement. The foundation's somewhat tongue-in-cheek mission arose from Dr. Brightwell's observation that while numerous programs exist to provide corrective eyewear to those in need, no recognition existed for children whose genetic fortune and eye-care habits preserved their natural sight. Recipients must submit proof of 20/20 vision or better from a licensed eye care professional, along with a short essay on eye health awareness. The SCWG distributes approximately $150,000 annually across 200 grants and has funded vision health education programs in over 40 schools nationwide.