Cumbria Community Foundation

Grant Size
£1,000 - £10,000
Location
Cumbria, Barrow, Carlisle, Copeland, Allerdale, Eden, South Lakeland
Focus Areas
Poverty & DeprivationMental HealthChildren & Young PeopleCommunity Development
Eligible Orgs
Registered Charity
Community Group

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About This Funder

Cumbria Community Foundation, established in 1999, is an independent UK community foundation dedicated to tackling poverty, enhancing quality of life, and building resilient communities across Cumbria. Its vision of a compassionate county where everyone thrives drives a mission to channel philanthropic resources to local needs, guided by values of fairness, inclusion, transparency, responsiveness, and accountability. Governed by trustees from business, civil society, and community leadership, it stands out for its deep local insight, participatory Community Panels, and ability to convene partners, ensuring rapid, targeted responses to chronic disadvantage through over 121 funds.

The foundation prioritises five themes: alleviating poverty; boosting health and wellbeing (especially mental health); supporting children, youth, and families; strengthening community infrastructure; and enabling volunteering, employment, and training for marginalised groups. It funds vulnerable beneficiaries like refugees, disabled people, isolated rural residents, and those facing deprivation via projects such as the Welcome Fund for asylum seekers, youth mental health initiatives, foodbanks, domestic violence services, and capacity building for grassroots groups. Supported activities include core costs, project grants, capital improvements, start-ups, multi-year programmes, and hardship relief, emphasising early intervention, prevention, and sustainability.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities and community groups (including volunteer-led with three unrelated members) based strictly in Cumbria—covering Barrow, Carlisle, Copeland, Allerdale, Eden, and South Lakeland—with preference for those under £200,000 annual income. Applications via online portal are welcomed unsolicited; contact grants officers first for fit. Most funds have rolling deadlines with monthly/quarterly committee meetings (check site for specifics like 19 September 2025). Typical grants range £1,000–£10,000 (up to £75,000 multi-year), excluding religious activities, businesses, and some capital. Its distinctiveness lies in flexible, place-based funding and donor-aligned bespoke programmes for maximum local impact.

Eligibility Checklist

Registered Charity, Community Group
Eligible
Cumbria, Barrow, Carlisle, Copeland, Allerdale, Eden, South Lakeland
Eligible
Individuals
Not eligible
Income requirements, CIC eligibility, religious criteria, +3 more

Funding Details

Estimated grant range£1,000 - £10,000
LocationCumbria, Barrow, Carlisle, Copeland, Allerdale, Eden, South Lakeland
Deadlines, timeline, application type, meeting schedule

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How to apply to Cumbria Community Foundation

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1

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Describe your charity once and see how well you fit Cumbria Community Foundation's priorities — scored on location, cause, size, and 3 other factors.

2

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Scored on 6 factors including cause, location, and grant size
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Frequently Asked Questions

How much funding does Cumbria Community Foundation provide?

Cumbria Community Foundation typically provides grants ranging from £1,000 - £10,000.

Where does Cumbria Community Foundation fund charities?

Cumbria Community Foundation funds charities operating in Cumbria, Barrow, Carlisle.

How do I apply for funding from Cumbria Community Foundation?

With Fundermatcher, you describe your charity once and see your compatibility score with Cumbria Community Foundation. If you're a good fit, you can start drafting your application immediately using our AI co-pilot — paste each question and word limit, and the co-pilot writes a tailored first draft using your charity's real data and Cumbria Community Foundation's priorities. You review and edit every answer before submitting.

Will funders know my application was drafted with AI?

No. The co-pilot uses your charity's real name, numbers, and impact data — not generic filler or templates. Every draft reads like it was written by someone who knows your charity inside-out, because it's built on your actual profile. You edit and refine every word before it goes anywhere, so the final application sounds like you — because it is.

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