Overview
Grants for charitable organisations to bring people together to address shared challenges, foster social action, and improve local spaces.
The Fund aims to:
• strengthen communities and improve people’s lives through local, community-led projects
• respond flexibly to emerging needs
• support creative ideas to tackle social or environmental issues and enable communities to be more resilient in the long term
The Fund aligns with the Cumbria Lieutenancy’s Strategy, which was launched in September 2025.
Donor
Alex and Samantha Scott
Who can apply?
• charitable, not-for-profit organisations and volunteer-led groups based in Cumbria
What the Fund will support:
The Fund supports project-based activity, although unrestricted and core funding may be considered where aligned with the Fund’s aims. We are particularly interested in projects that:
• support young people, especially in rural and underserved communities
• address the needs of vulnerable or underrepresented groups
• promote volunteering, civic participation, and community engagement
• champion environmental sustainability and climate-conscious practices
• create opportunities for people to work together and take collective action on local priorities
Who can apply:
• small, grassroots charitable, not-for-profit, and volunteer-led organisations based in Cumbria
• larger county-wide charitable groups can apply, but ONLY if their values and approach closely match the Fund’s aims and guiding principles
What the Fund will:
• project-based activity
• unrestricted and core funding ONLY if the organisation’s objectives are closely aligned with the Fund’s aims
and
We are particularly interested in projects that:
• support young people, especially in rural and underserved communities
• address the needs of vulnerable or underrepresented groups
• promote volunteering, civic participation, and community engagement
• champion environmental sustainability and climate-conscious practices
• create opportunities for people to work together and take collective action on local priorities
What the Fund will not support in addition to our normal exclusions:
• individuals
• national charities
How much can you apply for?
Grants will typically range from £1,000 to £15,000.
Larger or multiple-year grants may be considered in exceptional circumstances.
If you would like further information about this fund please contact:
Sarah Thompson on 01900 825760 or email grants@cumbriafoundation.org