Cumbria Community Foundation

Cumbria Community Foundation funds a wide range of causes including poverty and hardship, children and youth, education and skills, employment, physical and mental health, disability, older people, community development, and the environment. Their stated priorities are Improving Lives (reducing poverty, reaching potential, improving health, tackling social inequality) and Strengthening Communities (nurturing a sense of place, acting on climate change). They support core costs, salaries, equipment, project delivery, and capital works, often on a multi-year basis. All funded work must take place within Cumbria, covering areas such as Barrow, Carlisle, Copeland, Allerdale, Eden, and South Lakeland. The Foundation also administers specific programmes like the Northern Cancer Alliance Prehabilitation Fund and Community Connectors Fund, which support physical health projects in North East England and North Cumbria, with priority for small grassroots organisations.

Cumbria Community Foundation supports registered charities, community groups, social enterprises, and other not-for-profits that are based and working within Cumbria. Eligible legal entities include registered charities, CIOs, unincorporated associations, community groups, social enterprises, and community benefit societies. Beneficiaries include children, young people, older people, disabled people, unemployed individuals, homeless people, and rural communities. The Foundation prioritises local organisations with a strong connection to the area, and gives preference to those with smaller incomes. National organisations without a local presence are not eligible. Groups must have returned any previous monitoring forms to be considered for further funding.

Cumbria Community Foundation does not fund faith-based activities, animal welfare, research, events, transport, feasibility studies, or emergency relief. They also exclude repeat requests for the same project within 12 months, projects that duplicate an existing service, and national organisations without a local presence. Businesses and large UK-wide charities without a local presence are not eligible.

Cumbria Community Foundation offers flexible funding including core costs, salaries, equipment, project delivery, and capital works, often on a multi-year basis. They welcome unsolicited applications and work with a wide range of funds to support local needs. The Foundation's approach is place-based and participatory, emphasising early intervention, prevention, and sustainability to create lasting impact across Cumbria.