Cumbria Community Foundation - Furness: Opportunities and Challenges 2021

F U R N E S S – O P P O R T U N I T I E S & C H A L L E N G E S 46 In 2021, the Community Foundation passed the landmark of distributing more than £50 million in grants to community organisations and individuals in Cumbria since 1999. CCF exists to tackle poverty and disadvantage and to strengthen Cumbria’s communities by inspiring philanthropic giving and by connecting people who care to causes that matter. Its fundholders and supporters benefit from in- depth knowledge of Cumbrian communities and organisations built up over more than two decades of grant-making and investment in the county. It has responded five times to emerging need in times of crisis by launching successful disaster and emergency appeals. Raising £10m in response to the flooding in December 2015 and distributing £3m in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. CCF is currently Cumbria’s largest grant-making charity with annual grant distribution of £3m and endowed assets in excess of £25m. Since 1999 more than £50m has been awarded in grant aid through more than 100 grant-making funds. This has supported more than 4,000 organisations and 8,000 individuals. CCF distributes grants in Furness through a locally constituted grants committee. It also manages grant- making funds on behalf of a range of businesses, individuals and charitable trusts that choose to have Furness as their focus. An independent organisation, its trustees and committee members are drawn from across the county, with expertise in community life, businesses and the public sector. CCF is part of a global network of 1,400 Community Foundations, which together encourage philanthropy and strengthen the voluntary sectors and communities in the countries, regions and towns in which they operate. Community Foundations are part of the fastest growing philanthropic movement in the UK with 48 member foundations and more than £0.65 billion in assets, and each Foundation is independently accredited by the umbrella body UK Community Foundations. Winner of the Grantmaking and Funding Award: UK Charity Awards 2015 and shortlisted for the 2017 Awards, CCF has gained local and national recognition for delivering a range of innovative grant-making programmes that target the root cause of social issues, and engage local community groups in developing solutions and funding effective partnerships. For further information call 01900 825760 or see www.cumbriafoundation.org Email: enquiries@cumbriafoundation.org Cumbria Community Foundation Cumbria Community Foundation (CCF) is an independent grant maker that provides philanthropic services to businesses, individuals, public bodies and charitable trusts.