Discover Funding Opportunities

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.

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.

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.