18th February 2021
Cumbria Community Foundation helps philanthropic individuals and businesses by managing their funds to put something back into their chosen community.
The Gurney family have been associated with Cumbria since 1906 when land agent, surveyor and entrepreneur James Gurney, who loved the Lake District, bought Ireby Grange Estate in 1906, which has remained under family ownership ever since.
The Gurney Charitable Trust was set up in 1990, originally making grants to smaller charities in Buckinghamshire. The Trustees, who are all members of the Gurney family, then set up endowments with local Community Foundations in Sussex, Buckinghamshire and more recently Cumbria. The grants from the endowments are assessed by each Community Foundation to make sure that the donations give the best expected benefit to the local community.
The grants address a range of charitable causes including health and medical issues, disability and disadvantage, natural history and the arts, and wildlife and conservation. Keswick Museum and Art Gallery received a grant towards a creative project that celebrates the many inspiring and unsung women of Cumbria and marks the centenary of the first UK votes for women.
The Northern Lakes and in particular, the community of Ireby, is of much interest to the family. They like to focus very much on the local community, supporting projects or causes, however small they may be.
The family have a trusted relationship with the Foundation, as we are able to support the causes they they care most about and aim to meet the needs of those who apply for help.
If you would like to know how to apply for a grant or create a grant making fund, click on the links or please call 01900 825760.