Cumbria Community Foundation - Annual Review 2021

14 15 The Cumbria Club Launched in 2020, the Cumbria Club is an inclusive and informal grouping of people who together support the work of the Community Foundation. Members may live in Cumbria or live away or split their time between Cumbria and elsewhere. What unites them is a love of Cumbria and the ability to come together to socialise and learn about different aspects of the county. An online event in July featured a panel of business leaders celebrating ‘world class business’ and in October Castlegate Gallery hosted a private viewing of paintings by Norman Cornish and Sheila Fell. Further events are planned both in London and Cumbria. There is a modest minimum annual membership fee for the Cumbria Club, that goes straight to the benefit of the Cumbria Community Foundation. To become a member, sign up here: www.cumbriafoundation.org/give-to-your-community/cumbria-club We look forward to welcoming you to the Cumbria Club and sharing our passion for everything Cumbrian. THE CUMBRIA CLUB CUMBRIA COVID-19 RESPONSE FUND A year like no other Across our 22 year history, we have witnessed first-hand the charitable sector’s incredible potential and capacity at a local level. Yet, we’ve been amazed at how quickly the community responded and mobilised to respond to the unprecedented social and economic needs that had arisen. We knew we had to be able to support and enable them at a similar pace. Thanks to the support of so many generous donors, we were privileged to play a leading role in our county’s response to the pandemic. Powered by more than £2m of additional funding from individuals, businesses, charitable trusts: the National Emergency Trust and public sector partners, alongside re- purposing £1.2m of our existing funds, we awarded £3.1m in grants to more than 200 organisations. The county was able to build on its previous response to emergencies with hundreds of response groups delivering food and essential medicines to people isolating, and we also funded mental health projects, youth initiatives, drugs and alcohol and domestic violence projects. Our team responded to need as it emerged and one of the most important investments was purchase of IT equipment for families on low incomes to help children maintain their education during lockdown. The long term impact of the pandemic COVID-19 has had an impact on everyone’s lives – but the most significant impacts have been on those already most vulnerable in our communities, the young, the elderly, those on low incomes, people with chronic illness and disability and the increased need around mental health, poverty and education. With the pandemic’s impact likely to affect our most disadvantaged communities hardest, our philanthropic response will continue for some time to come. We recognise there will be turbulent years ahead. This crisis will have a long-term impact on the sector and unprecedented demand for services will continue with unparalleled funding demand. However, we know the capabilities exist, and so we remain engaged and positive. We will continue to work with local authorities, sector support bodies and other funders to identify priority places and people to target. Trustee and Main Grants Committee Chair, Kevin Walsh with members of SHINE (Support and Help in Nourishing Everyone) group in Brampton.