Community funding throughout Cumbria

As well as funding available from us, there are other sources of grants and funding advice available.

Listed below are some of those that you may find useful. The list is by no means exhaustive but will get you started in identifying possible funding streams. If you find another source not listed please let us know so we can add to the list.

Funders

Government

Find out about financial support for voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations to respond to coronavirus (COVID-19) on GOV.UK. This government guidance on its pledge of £750 million to ensure VCSE can continue their vital work supporting the country during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. It includes £200 million for the Coronavirus Community Support Fund, along with an additional £150 million from dormant bank and building society accounts.

Community Grant Fund

Community Grant Fund has a range of grant funds, which communities can use to bring about a positive and lasting change for the benefit of the whole community.

Cumbria Community Foundation

Cumbria Community Foundation is part of a national and international network of community foundations. Together they seek to support people and organisations wishing to invest in the local community. Donors to the foundation have created some grant programmes. Each programme has its own criteria and area of interest. Most programmes support community and voluntary groups based locally.

Local money

Contact your Town or Parish Council Clerk as some councils have funding available for local community projects in their areas.

Lake District National Park

See Lake District Communities Fund on the Lake District National Park website for projects benefiting local communities in the National Park.

Cumbria Waste Management Environment Trust

Go to Cumbria Waste Management Environment Trust website to find out about the grant assistance they provide to parish councils, local community groups and not for profit organisations for environmental and community projects. There is a limit on the funding in Eden to a 10 mile radius around Flusco landfill site.

National Lottery funding

Go to find funding for your project on the National Lottery website. The National Lottery funds projects in the arts, sport, heritage, charity, voluntary, health, education and environmental sectors.

People's Postcode Lottery

Go to the People's Postcode Trust website to find out about project based funding the provide in Great Britain under the themes 'promoting human rights, combatting discrimination and preventing poverty.

Penrith Lottery

See grants on the Penrith Lottery website to find out about the grants they offer to support the work of local good causes, charities and not-for-profit organisations with projects that would benefit the town and wider community.

Local Clubs

Contact your local Lions Club or Rotary Club to ask them if they have any funds available for projects in their local area.

The Prince's Countryside Fund

Go to the Prince's Countryside Fund website to find out about the grants for projects that will provide a long-term positive impact to the individuals and communities.

Cumberland Building Society Community Fund

See supporting local communities on the Cumberland Building Society website to find out about the funding to charitable, not-for-profit groups whose projects benefit the communities within the Society’s operating area.

Newcastle Building Society Community Fund

See providing grants to local charities on the Newcastle Building Society website to find out about their community fund, which provides grants to local charities across the North East, Cumbria and North Yorkshire. For contact details and to find out more go to Penrith on Newcastle Building Society website.

Apply for a Community grant from Newcastle Building Society.

Cumberland and Westmorland Herald Fund

See Cumberland and Westmorland Herald Fund on the Cumbria Community Foundation website to find out grants available to charitable not-for-profit groups benefiting people living in the Cumberland & Westmorland Herald’s main circulation area, including Penrith, Appleby-in-Westmorland, Kirkby Stephen and Alston.

Holehird Trust

See Holehird Trust on the Cumbria Community Foundation website to find out about grants for voluntary and community organisations which benefit residents of the former county of Westmorland.

The Frieda Scott Charitable Trust

See The Frieda Scott Charitable Trust to find out about grants provided to charities and community groups in the South Lakeland district of Cumbria as well as the area covered by the old county of Westmorland.

Funding Advice:

Cumbria CVS

See funding on the Cumbria CVS website and the offer of help in writing successful funding applications, providing funding searches and high impact funding events and professional training.

ACTion with Communities in Cumbria (ACT)

Go to ACT website to find out about their offers support and advice on community and rural issues.

Last updated: Monday, 17 April, 2023.