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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.

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.

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.