Baywind Energy Community Trust
Could Baywind Energy Community Trust fund your project? Check fit free. Draft if yes — or shortlist better matches.
- Typical grants
- £100 – £5,000
- Where they fund
- Cumbria
- Applications
- Accepted
- How to apply
- Online form
- Decisions
- Bi annually
Works for Registered charities, CIOs, CICs and community groups.
Get a draft in 2 minutes · no card
bwect.org.ukAbout Baywind Energy Community Trust
Baywind Energy Community Trust is a grant-making body rooted in the UK's first wind energy co-operative, established by the community to channel windfarm benefits into local projects. Its mission is to support community-owned renewable energy, environmental sustainability, and to address poverty and hardship. The Trust values community empowerment and local stewardship, funding capital works, equipment, and project delivery across Cumbria. Distinctive for its origin in cooperative energy, Baywind focuses on hyperlocal, community-led initiatives that deliver lasting environmental and social benefits.
What Baywind Energy Community Trust funds
The Trust funds projects in two cause areas: the environment and poverty or hardship. Supported activities include capital works, equipment purchases, and project delivery. Priority is given to projects closest to the High Winds wind farm, covering the Peninsulas including Millom, Furness and Cartmel. Exciting or unique projects in more distant parts of Cumbria may also receive higher levels of support. The Trust welcomes applications from anywhere in Cumbria and considers the location of the project when assessing applications.
Who can apply
Baywind accepts applications from not-for-profit organisations, charities, or SMEs. Eligible legal types include unincorporated associations, charitable trusts, charitable incorporated organisations, companies limited by guarantee, community interest companies, community benefit societies, cooperative societies, community groups, and social enterprises. The Trust does not fund individuals. Applications from anywhere in Cumbria are welcome, with priority given to areas near the High Winds wind farm.
What Baywind Energy Community Trust doesn't fund
The Trust does not fund individuals or profit-driven ventures. Applications from organisations that are not not-for-profit, charities, or SMEs are excluded. Projects unrelated to environment or poverty/hardship are not supported.
How they like to fund
The Trust operates a rolling Main Grant Programme and welcomes unsolicited applications. It funds capital works, equipment, and project delivery. Applicants are encouraged to contact the Trust to discuss their project before applying.
How much does Baywind Energy Community Trust give?
Baywind Energy Community Trust runs one grant programme. Every figure below is sourced from their published guidance.
Last verified 8 August 2026 · 14 sourced facts
- Online application form
Those are the published figures. What your charity could realistically get — and whether you'd clear their rules on income, location and legal structure — is what the free fit check answers.
What Baywind Energy Community Trust funds — and what they won't
Priority given to projects closest to the High Winds wind farm (Peninsulas including Millom, Furness and Cartmel). Exciting or unique projects in more distant parts of Cumbria might also get higher levels of support.
Good to know
How to apply to Baywind Energy Community Trust
Baywind Energy Community Trust takes applications via online form.
- Published programme route: online application form.
- Decisions are typically bi annually.
- Check whether your charity is in scope before you spend time on a full bid.
What Baywind Energy Community Trust's application asks
We hold the 14 questions from Baywind Energy Community Trust's application form, word for word — so you know exactly what you're signing up to answer.
“Project Title *”
“Name of your Group/Organisation applying for funding *”
12 more questions from their form, plus answers drafted from your charity's real data if you decide to apply.
How it works
- 1Describe your project. Once — used for this funder and others.
- 2See if this could be a fit. Honest check on cause, place, size, and rules.
- 3Draft if yes. From your real data — or move on if not.
See if Baywind Energy Community Trust could be a fit. Draft if yes.
Frequently asked questions
How much funding does Baywind Energy Community Trust provide?
Baywind Energy Community Trust runs one grant programme — Main Grant Programme: £200 – £20,000.
Where does Baywind Energy Community Trust fund charities?
Baywind Energy Community Trust funds charities operating in Cumbria.
Does Baywind Energy Community Trust accept unsolicited applications?
Baywind Energy Community Trust accepts unsolicited applications from eligible organisations. Current programme status is on this page — do not assume a round is open.
How do I apply for funding from Baywind Energy Community Trust?
Baywind Energy Community Trust takes applications via online form. Published programme route: online application form.
Similar funders
Other UK funders with overlapping focus — not a claim they fund the same charities.
Browse related grants
Spotted something that needs correcting? Tell us.
Could Baywind Energy Community Trust be a fit?
Check free. Draft if yes, or shortlist better matches.