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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.